Mi Bridges General Info.
24
Welcome Today’s Presenter: Candice L. Baker Community Resource Navigator
Transcript of Mi Bridges General Info.
WelcomeToday’s Presenter:
Candice L. BakerCommunity Resource Navigator
A Win-Win Endeavor
Consumer Empowerment with Easier Access to Information
+
Department of Human Services (DHS) Congestion Reduction
MiBridges Quick Facts 24-hour secure internet portal to DHS benefit
applications – www.mibridges.michigan.gov
Developed and maintained by the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHS).
Directly linked to MDHS internal Bridges system for application processing.
Allows households to create an account on-line, which enables people to apply for benefits, check case status, and recertify.
Michigan’s Economic Zeitgeist
Courtesy
of
Michigan hit tremendously hard by economic down turn
Unprecedented numbers of households qualify for public assistance
Nonprofits struggle to meet the needs of low income families
Estimated $930,000,000 in public work supports went unclaimed in Michigan annually (See Above)
Roads Blocks of ApplyingLack of knowledge
Welfare stigma
Many stops (i.e. paper work—red tape)
Under-employed (believed not eligible)
Denied before
Lack of transportation resources
Distrust of government
Office wait is frustrating & time consuming
Benefits of Applying On-line
Reduce number of office visits and
phone calls to DHS by recipients.
Provide easier benefit maintenance
through uploading of documentation.
Allow DHS recipients to get answers to
commonly asked questions themselves
through the Internet and telephone.
Benefits Continued . . .
Courtesy of MDHS
Application
The following examples are
of what to expect when
applying for benefits through
the MiBridges portal.
To Begin My MiBridges
Courtesy of MDHS
Once Enrolled
The following examples
are what to expect once
enrolled for benefits in
MiBridges.
View Enrolled Programs Status
Courtesy of MDHS
Control of Information Access
Courtesy of MDHS
View Correspondence Electronically
Courtesy of MDHS
Goodbye Snail mail!
Courtesy of
MDHS
Benefit Info. & Current Balance Link
Courtesy of
MDHS
MiBridges—Bumps in the Road
Unknown to the public
Computer access barriers
Limited reading or computer literacy
Only applied for one benefit (i.e., Food
Stamps)
MiBridges Goals Recap Anytime & anywhere access to programs & case
status via MiBridges technology
Reduce the number of local offices visits and phone calls to DHS.
Ease time consuming congestion at DHS
Answers to commonly asked questions are found independently via Internet or phone.
Empowerment is gained when information about benefits are easily accessed
Thank You!
www.michigan.gov/mibridges
Or
1-888-MIBRIDGES
1-888-642-7434For Information
Questions/Answers
Remember to encourage community members
to access resources through MiBridges by:
