Benefit programs in Michigan (2026)
For families in Michigan we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
For some of Michigan's own programs below we already have a vetted maximum from the official source. Those show "Up to $X/year". For programs without a vetted cap, we describe the program and link its official page while we finish computed-depth verification. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
Michigan families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 5 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have not yet confirmed a dollar figure for a property-tax relief program in Michigan, so none is quoted here. Michigan also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does Michigan Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. Michigan runs 5 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "MI Children's Waiver Program (4119.R07.00)" and "MI Choice Waiver (0233.R06.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask Michigan Medicaid.
- MI Children's Waiver Program (4119.R07.00)
- MI Choice Waiver (0233.R06.00)
- MI Coordinated Health HCBS Waiver (1126.R02.00)
- MI Habilitation Supports Waiver (0167.R07.00)
- MI Waiver for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances (0438.R04.00)
What property tax relief is available to seniors in Michigan?
Michigan has 7 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for: Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit (MI-1040CR), Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes (Form 471; MCL 211.51 / PA 206 of 1893) and Poverty (Hardship) Exemption (MCL 211.7u). We have not confirmed their dollar amounts against the official state pages (last checked 2026-08-05), so we do not state amounts here. The official links below carry the current figures. Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center and ask which you qualify for. They will also tell you the filing deadline, which is usually earlier than people expect.
8 programs in Michigan. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Vetted maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit (MI-1040CR) GOV PDF | Refundable income-tax credit for property taxes (or 23% of gross rent, for renters). GENERAL claimants: 60% of the amount property taxes exceed 3.2% of THR. SENIORS (65+) and disabled claimants (T&P disabled, paraplegic/hemiplegic/quadriplegic, deaf, or unremarried surviving spouse of a 65+ person): the amount property taxes exceed the nonrefundable share (up to 3.2% of THR) multiplied by a senior percentage that scales from 100% (THR <= $21,000) down to 60% (THR $30,001-$71,500) per Table A. MAXIMUM credit = $1,900 (TY2025). Home taxable value must be $165,400 or less. | Up to $1,900/year. Income limit: Total household resources (THR) must be $71,500 or less for TY2025 (over $71,500 = ineligible). Credit is phased out 10% for every $1,000 THR exceeds $62,500 (Table B: 100% at $62,500 or less, down to 10% at $70,501-$71,500).. Tax year 2025. Michigan Department of Treasury → | Official source → |
| Homestead Property Tax Credit Claim for Veterans and Blind People (MI-1040CR-2) GOV PDF | Alternative refundable property-tax credit for veterans/blind. Credit = (Taxable Value Allowance / home's taxable value, capped at 100%) x property taxes levied. Taxable Value Allowance (Table 2, TY2025) by category: 60-80% disability = $4,000; 90-100% disability = $4,500; surviving spouse of a veteran who died in service = $4,500 (plus lower allowances for other veteran/blind categories). Maximum credit = $1,900; taxable value must be $165,400 or less. Claimant files whichever of MI-1040CR-2 or MI-1040CR yields the larger credit. | Official source → | |
| Disabled Veterans Exemption (MCL 211.7b / PA 161 of 2013; Affidavit Form 5107) GOV | FULL (100%) exemption from the collection of ad valorem property taxes on the veteran's owned/occupied homestead (county treasurer cancels the taxes). Eligibility requires one of: (a) US Dept. of Veterans Affairs rating of permanent & total disability from military service, entitled to benefits at the 100% rate; (b) VA certificate of pecuniary assistance for specially adapted housing; or (c) VA rating of individually unemployable. Filed via Form 5107 affidavit with the local assessor. Effective Jan 1, 2025 the exemption, once granted, continues without annual reapplication until rescinded or denied (2025 was a transition year that still required a filing; from 2026 prior grants persist). | Official source → | |
| Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes (Form 471; MCL 211.51 / PA 206 of 1893) GOV PDF | Defers the due date of SUMMER property taxes on the principal residence, without penalty or interest, until February 15 (payment must be received on or before February 14 to avoid penalty/interest). This is a delay of the payment deadline, not a reduction of tax owed. File Form 471 with the local city/township/village treasurer before September 15 (or before summer taxes are due, whichever is later). | Official source → | |
| Poverty (Hardship) Exemption (MCL 211.7u) GOV | Full or partial exemption from property taxes on the principal residence, as granted by the local Board of Review. Amount/thresholds are locally determined and vary by municipality. A completed application plus documentation must be filed annually with the local assessor or Board of Review. | Official source → | |
| Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) (MCL 211.7cc / 211.7dd; Form 2368) GOV | Exempts an owner's principal residence from the local school operating millage, up to 18 mills. Universal owner-occupant exemption (NOT senior/disability/veteran-specific); claimed once via Affidavit Form 2368 and remains until the home is no longer the principal residence. Distinct from the income-tax Homestead Property Tax Credit. | Official source → | |
| Proposal A Taxable Value Cap (no senior/elderly assessment freeze exists in Michigan) ANALYSIS | Michigan has NO senior-specific or income-based assessment freeze. Instead, under Proposal A (1994 constitutional amendment; MCL 211.27a), the annual growth of a property's TAXABLE VALUE is capped at the lesser of 5% or the rate of inflation (CPI) for as long as ownership does not transfer, applied universally to all homesteads regardless of age or income. Taxable value 'uncaps' (resets to State Equalized Value) in the year after a transfer of ownership. | Official source → | |
| State Payment of Property Taxes for Senior Citizen and Disabled Housing Facilities (MCL 211.7d) GOV | Qualifying nonprofit senior citizen and disabled housing facilities are exempt from ad valorem property taxes; instead the state makes a specific payment (service charge in lieu of taxes) to the local taxing units. Benefit accrues to the facility/tenants, not to individual homeowners. | Official source → |
Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit (MI-1040CR) GOV PDF
- Benefit
Refundable income-tax credit for property taxes (or 23% of gross rent, for renters). GENERAL claimants: 60% of the amount property taxes exceed 3.2% of THR. SENIORS (65+) and disabled claimants (T&P disabled, paraplegic/hemiplegic/quadriplegic, deaf, or unremarried surviving spouse of a 65+ person): the amount property taxes exceed the nonrefundable share (up to 3.2% of THR) multiplied by a senior percentage that scales from 100% (THR <= $21,000) down to 60% (THR $30,001-$71,500) per Table A. MAXIMUM credit = $1,900 (TY2025). Home taxable value must be $165,400 or less.
- Vetted maximum
Up to $1,900/year. Income limit: Total household resources (THR) must be $71,500 or less for TY2025 (over $71,500 = ineligible). Credit is phased out 10% for every $1,000 THR exceeds $62,500 (Table B: 100% at $62,500 or less, down to 10% at $70,501-$71,500).. Tax year 2025. Michigan Department of Treasury →
- Official source
- Official source →
Homestead Property Tax Credit Claim for Veterans and Blind People (MI-1040CR-2) GOV PDF
- Benefit
Alternative refundable property-tax credit for veterans/blind. Credit = (Taxable Value Allowance / home's taxable value, capped at 100%) x property taxes levied. Taxable Value Allowance (Table 2, TY2025) by category: 60-80% disability = $4,000; 90-100% disability = $4,500; surviving spouse of a veteran who died in service = $4,500 (plus lower allowances for other veteran/blind categories). Maximum credit = $1,900; taxable value must be $165,400 or less. Claimant files whichever of MI-1040CR-2 or MI-1040CR yields the larger credit.
- Official source
- Official source →
Disabled Veterans Exemption (MCL 211.7b / PA 161 of 2013; Affidavit Form 5107) GOV
- Benefit
FULL (100%) exemption from the collection of ad valorem property taxes on the veteran's owned/occupied homestead (county treasurer cancels the taxes). Eligibility requires one of: (a) US Dept. of Veterans Affairs rating of permanent & total disability from military service, entitled to benefits at the 100% rate; (b) VA certificate of pecuniary assistance for specially adapted housing; or (c) VA rating of individually unemployable. Filed via Form 5107 affidavit with the local assessor. Effective Jan 1, 2025 the exemption, once granted, continues without annual reapplication until rescinded or denied (2025 was a transition year that still required a filing; from 2026 prior grants persist).
- Official source
- Official source →
Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes (Form 471; MCL 211.51 / PA 206 of 1893) GOV PDF
- Benefit
Defers the due date of SUMMER property taxes on the principal residence, without penalty or interest, until February 15 (payment must be received on or before February 14 to avoid penalty/interest). This is a delay of the payment deadline, not a reduction of tax owed. File Form 471 with the local city/township/village treasurer before September 15 (or before summer taxes are due, whichever is later).
- Official source
- Official source →
Poverty (Hardship) Exemption (MCL 211.7u) GOV
- Benefit
Full or partial exemption from property taxes on the principal residence, as granted by the local Board of Review. Amount/thresholds are locally determined and vary by municipality. A completed application plus documentation must be filed annually with the local assessor or Board of Review.
- Official source
- Official source →
Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) (MCL 211.7cc / 211.7dd; Form 2368) GOV
- Benefit
Exempts an owner's principal residence from the local school operating millage, up to 18 mills. Universal owner-occupant exemption (NOT senior/disability/veteran-specific); claimed once via Affidavit Form 2368 and remains until the home is no longer the principal residence. Distinct from the income-tax Homestead Property Tax Credit.
- Official source
- Official source →
Proposal A Taxable Value Cap (no senior/elderly assessment freeze exists in Michigan) ANALYSIS
- Benefit
Michigan has NO senior-specific or income-based assessment freeze. Instead, under Proposal A (1994 constitutional amendment; MCL 211.27a), the annual growth of a property's TAXABLE VALUE is capped at the lesser of 5% or the rate of inflation (CPI) for as long as ownership does not transfer, applied universally to all homesteads regardless of age or income. Taxable value 'uncaps' (resets to State Equalized Value) in the year after a transfer of ownership.
- Official source
- Official source →
State Payment of Property Taxes for Senior Citizen and Disabled Housing Facilities (MCL 211.7d) GOV
- Benefit
Qualifying nonprofit senior citizen and disabled housing facilities are exempt from ad valorem property taxes; instead the state makes a specific payment (service charge in lieu of taxes) to the local taxing units. Benefit accrues to the facility/tenants, not to individual homeowners.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in Michigan?
Up to $2,205 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum Michigan's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $900 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Michigan.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In Michigan the published heating maximum is $2,205. Crisis maximum: $900. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in Michigan: Michigan does not tax Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Railroad Retirement benefits (these are SSA-exempt and subtracted from Michigan taxable income). Michigan's individual income tax is a flat 4.25%. Public Act 24 of 2025 additionally allows taxpayers born after 1952 and aged 67+ to claim BOTH the Michigan Standard Deduction and the Social Security deduction for tax years 2026-2028 (removing the prior requirement to net one against the other).
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: Michigan is restoring full deductibility of pension/retirement income under the Lowering MI Costs Plan (Public Act 4 of 2023) via a 4-year phase-in (TY2023-2026). Pensions, IRA distributions, and most defined-contribution (401(k)) payments qualify. TIER 1 (born before 1946): fully deduct public pensions and private retirement income up to an annually indexed limit. PHASE-IN OPTION (born Jan 1, 1946 - Dec 31, 1966): for TY2025 may subtract 75% of the private-pension limits = $49,423 (single/married-filing-separately) or $98,846 (married filing jointly) of combined qualifying public and private retirement income; the phase-in reaches 100% in TY2026, when everyone born after 1945 becomes eligible for a full subtraction. ALTERNATIVE (Option 1 / Tier 3): taxpayers age 67+ may instead elect to subtract the Michigan Standard Deduction against ALL income (reduced by any military/railroad retirem
Official source →Federal programs: checked in Michigan too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in Michigan for help with elder care?
Call Adult Protective Services at 855-444-3911, or your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Michigan doesn't list a public ADRC phone number here, so start with Adult Protective Services if someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited. They can also point you toward long-term-care options.
Can Michigan seniors freeze or defer their property taxes?
Yes. Michigan lets eligible seniors freeze or defer their property taxes through "Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes (Form 471; MCL 211.51 / PA 206 of 1893)". We don't have a single confirmed dollar figure for this mechanism. The amount depends on your tax bill, not a flat cap. See the property-tax table above for the program's own official wording.
Is there emergency help with heating bills in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan's LIHEAP program offers up to $900 in emergency crisis assistance if your heat or utility service is about to be shut off. That's separate from the regular heating-bill maximum described above and is meant for a true emergency, like a shutoff notice or an empty tank. See the LIHEAP source link above for how to apply.
Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.