Where to go for help

Local and state agencies

Adult Protective Services
Michigan Adult Protective Services (APS) receives and investigates reports of suspected elder or adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation. To make a report, call the 24-hour, toll free APS hotline.
1-855-444-3911
www.michigan.gov/aasa

If you would like more information about the APS program, contact your local Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) office or look in the white pages of your local telephone directory and ask to speak with an adult services worker or supervisor. Reports must be made to the number above.

Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan
Michigan’s area agencies on aging keeps up-to-date information on programs and services that are available in the community to assist seniors.
1-517-886-1029
www.mi-seniors.net (Click on “AAAs” tab to find your local Area Agency on Aging)
www.michigan.gov/aasa (Click on “Aging Services” tab to contact your local Area Agency on Aging)

Attorney General
The Office of the Attorney General has a Consumer Protection Section. It operates the Michigan Consumer Protection Hotline.
525 W Ottawa St Fl 7 | Lansing, MI 48933-7712
1-877-765-8388
1-517-373-111 (Lansing, Michigan)
1-313-456-0240 (Detroit, Michigan)
www.michigan.gov/ag

Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau can help consumers with complaints against businesses.

 
Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program strives to improve the quality of care and quality of life experiences by residents who reside in licensed long term care facilities.  Ombudsmen advocate for residents of Nursing Homes, Homes for the Aged and Adult Foster Care Homes.
1-866-485-9393
E-mail: sltco@lsscm.org
www.mltcp.org
 
Michigan MI Health Link Ombudsman Program
The MI Health Link Ombudsman (MHLO) serves as an advocate and problem-solver for beneficiaries enrolled in MI Health Link.  MHLO works with health plans, Pre-Paid Inpatient Health Plans (that offer behavioral health services), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the federal governments to spot issues identify best practices, and offer solutions that will help make the MI Health Link program work better for beneficiaries.
1-888-746-6456
E-mail: help@MHLO.org

Mediators
Find a listing of local mediators in Michigan. Mediation can help resolve disputes and may sometimes be an alternative to legal action.
1-517-373-4839
E-mail: cdrp@courts.mi.gov

To reach a mediation center nearest you, call 1-800-873-7658
www.acrnet.org (Click on “Membership,” then “Directory,” then type the word, ‘Mediator’ to the ‘Organization Contains’ box, enter your location in the appropriate section, then click “Search”)

Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP, Inc.)
MMAP, Inc. is a free health-benefit counseling service provided to Michigan residents.
1-800-803-7174
www.mmapinc.org/

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
1-517-373-3740 General Information (1-800-649-3777 for hearing impaired callers)
1-855-275-6424 Customer Service
1-800-642-3195 Medicaid Customer Help
www.michigan.gov/mdhhs (Click on “Assistance Programs,” then “Health Care Coverage”)

MiCAFE/Benefits Enrollment Center
To see if you qualify for additional benefits that you may be entitled to, visit their website:
www.misoap.org (Michigan’s Support Older Adult’s Portal)
Also see www.benefitscheckup.org

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, in the Office of the Attorney General, investigates and prosecutes abuse and fraud by health care providers. The MFCU also runs the Senior Patrol to uncover fraud.
1-855-MI-FRAUD (643-7283)
www.michigan.gov/aasa (Click on “Doing Business with MDHHS,” then “Health Care Providers”)

To submit an online complaint or write a letter to report the fraud:

www.michigan.gov/mdhhs (Click on “Doing Business with MDHHS,” then “Health Care providers”, then “Medicaid Fraud Hotline,” then “Office of Inspector General.”

Police or Sheriff
Find local state police posts through the Michigan State Police (MSP). www.michigan.gov/msp/

IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY CALL 911. If you have a matter that requires local action or assistance, please contact your local MSP post or call 24/7 at 1-517-332-2521.

Find the local sheriff’s office through the Michigan Sheriff’s Association.
1-517-485-3135
http://www.misheriff.org/sheriffs-offices/

Federal agencies

Numerous federal agencies play a role in combatting fraud and abuse and educating consumers. Contact them for more information.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
1-855-411-(CFPB) 2372
www.consumerfinance.gov

Do Not Call Registry
1-888-382-1222
www.donotcall.gov

Federal Bureau of Investigation
www.fbi.gov/scams-safety

Federal Trade Commission
1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357)
www.consumer.ftc.gov

Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force
www.stopfraud.gov

Postal Inspection Service
1-877-876-2455
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/

Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213
www.socialsecurity.gov/payee

Department of Veterans Affairs
1-888-407-0144
www.benefits.va.gov/fiduciary

For legal help

State Bar of Michigan
For legal assistance, go to the State Bar of Michigan by visiting their website: www.michbar.org (Select “For Public.”)

Elderlaw of Michigan
The Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors
3815 W St Joseph, Suite C200 | Lansing, MI 48917
1-800-347-5297
www.elderlawofmi.org

Michigan Legal Services
2727 Second Ave | Detroit, MI 48201
1-313-964-4130
www.milegalservices.org

Legal Services of Northern Michigan

Legal Services of Eastern Michigan
436 Saginaw St #101 | Flint, MI  48502
1-800-322-4512

320 S Washington Ave | Saginaw, MI  48607
1-800-322-4512

Lakeshore Legal Aid | 30500 Van Dyke Ave #601 | Warren, MI  48093
1-888-783-8190

Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM)
LSSCM is a division of the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP) who provides free legal advice and representation to low income persons and senior citizens in South Central Michigan.
3480 Belle Chase Wy, Suite 50 | Lansing, MI  48911
1-888-783-8190
http://www.lsscm.org

Ann Arbor Office
420 N Fourth Ave | Ann Arbor, MI  48104
1-734-665-6181 or
1-888-665-6181

Battle Creek Office
123 W Territorial Rd | Battle Creek, MI  49017
1- 269-965-3951 or
1-800-688-3951

Family Law Project Office
University of Michigan Law School
Hutchins Hall | Ann Arbor, MI  48109
1-734-998-9454

Jackson Office
540 N Jackson St | Jackson, MI  49201
1-517-787-6111 or
1-800-676-9488

Monroe Office
1118 A South Telegraph | Monroe, MI  48161
1-734-241-8310 or
1-888-251-1598

Farmworker Legal Services
3030 S 9th St, Suite 1A | Kalamazoo, MI  49009
1-269-492-7190 or 1-800-968-4046

Michigan Elder Justice Initiative (MEJI)
MEJI focuses primarily on issues affecting the most vulnerable older adults including long term care; guardianship; public benefits; and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.  MEJI also works closely with disability advocates to address issues of shared concern.
15851 S US 27, Suite 73 | Lansing, MI  48906
1-517-827-8010

State Bar of Michigan Access to Justice
306 Townsend St | Lansing, MI 48933-2083
1-800-346-6300

Sixty Plus, Inc., Elderlaw Clinic
Cooley Center, 9th Fl | 300 S Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI 48933
1-517-372-3484

Free legal services for people over age 60
Find local programs that provide free legal help to people over age 60 by contacting the national Eldercare Locator.
1-800-677-1116
www.eldercare.gov

Free legal services for low-income people
Find local programs that provide free legal help to low-income people on the website of the Legal Services Corporation.
www.lsc.gov/find-legal-aid

Fee-for-service lawyers
The Michigan State Bar has a lawyer referral service and so do several county bar associations.
www.michbar.org/sbm
For accounting help

Accountants

Find a local certified public accountant (CPA) on the website of the American Institute of CPAs.
www.cpadirectory.com

Visit www.micpa.org for the Michigan association of CPA’s.