Finances

Supplement an income shortfall with community resources.

Although cash assistance is what many of us need — just for a tide-me-over event — it is very difficult to come by.

Here are some alternatives that can help supplement an unforgiving budget, including emergency car repair, household goods, financial aid, financial education, foreclosure prevention, and information on taxes.

  • Ann Arbor District Library: Offers free public computers (with some on-site technical support) for job searching, social media, and improving workplace performance. Call 734.327.4265 or go here.

    Friends in Deed: A social ministry focusing on emergency financial assistance, car repair and clothing and household items in Washtenaw County. Call 734.484.4357 or go here.

    The Ann Arbor Thrift Shop: A gently-used clothing store that also offers emergency aid for individuals in the Ann Arbor School District who are connected with local social services agencies. Call 734.662.6771 or go here.

    Manchester Community Resource Center: MI Works, food pantry, and temporary financial assistance for those in the Manchester area. Call 734.428.7722 or go here.

    Aid in Milan: Food pantry, home-delivered meals, and utility assistance for folks in the Milan school district. Call 734.439.8420 or go here.

    Salvation Army of Washtenaw County: Food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing, a family shelter, transitional housing, and counseling for veterans, emergency and disaster relief, utility assistance, and eviction prevention. Call 734.668.5353 Ann Arbor; 734.482.4700 Ypsilanti, or go here.

    SOS Community Services: food, utility assistance, bus tokens, and other resources for folks living paycheck-to-paycheck to overcome financial emergencies without experiencing houselessness. Call 734.485.8730; Food Pantry 734.484.9945 or go here.

    Community Action Network: Partners with children, youth, and families from under-resourced Washtenaw County neighborhoods (includes meals for children and youth during After School Programs & Educational Summer Camps and weekly food distributions & on-site emergency food pantries). Call 734.994.2985 or go here.

    Peace Neighborhood Center: Offers case management, family services, and resources (emotional, financial, food) as well as services to help youth succeed. Call 734.662.3564 or go here.

  • Whitmore Lake Area Human Services: Emergency financial assistance for individuals residing in Whitmore Lake School District. Call 734.449.0110 or go here.

    Peace Neighborhood Center: Individual advocacy and assistance for children and families. Call 734.662.3564 or go here.

    Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency: Emergency assistance for in-and-out-of-Wayne-County — multiple services and locations. Call 313.843.2550 x228 or go here.

    Peace Neighborhood Center: Individual advocacy and assistance for children and families. 734.662.3564

  • Financial coaching: Shame-free one-on-one financial counseling from experienced financial experts by appointment at The Women’s Center. Call 734.973.6779 or go here.

    SAFE-Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment: Free virtual services to equip survivors of domestic violence with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to end the cycle of economic abuse, while maintaining their personal safety. Call 800.757.4919 x15 or go here.

    Washtenaw's Financial Empowerment Center: Provides one-on-one financial counseling and helps with money management, budgeting, debt reduction, and affordable banking services. For more information, go here.

    Michigan State University Extension: Provides information on home ownership, self-paced learning, money management, and homeownership. For more information, go here.

    American Library Association: Retirement planning, home buying, money, and scam prevention. For more information, go here.

  • Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Project: Call 734.665.6181 or go here.

    Washtenaw County Foreclosure Prevention: Call 734.222.6600 or go here.

    Michigan State University: Foreclosure prevention and home ownership education. Call 734.222.9595 or go here.

  • United Ways of Southeastern Michigan: Tax prep, utility, employment, and financial coaching services for those in Washtenaw County. Call 2-1-1 or go here.

    University of Michigan Law School Low-income Taxpayer Clinic: Offers free help with tax problems. Call 734.936.3535 or go here.

    IRS Free File: information from the US Internal Revenue Service on filing taxes for free, online. For more information, go here.