Food Stamps/Food Banks

• Michigan Department of Human Services
  • U.P. Zone Office: (906) 786-4400
  • Marquette County Office: (906) 228-9691
  • Alger County: (906) 387-4440
  • Baraga County: (906) 353-4700
  • Delta County: (906) 786-5394
  • Dickinson County: (906) 774-1484
  • Houghton County: (906) 482-0500
  • Keweenaw County: (906) 337-3302 
• Salvation Army
  • Marquette Corps Office: (906) 226-2241
  • Ishpeming corps Office: (906) 486-8121
• Food Assistance Program Hotline - (800) 481-4989
• Food Banks
  • St. Vincent DePaul: (906) 226-3721
• Food Stamp Program: 1-800-481-4989
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutritution Assistance Program): 1-800-221-5689

Utilities

The 2009 Michigan Energy Assistance Directory, developed by the Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm, provides information on private and public programs that offer energy assistance, as well as a county listing of utilities, programs, and resources available.

• UPPCO (Upper Peninsula Power Company) Electric: 1-800-562-7680
• SEMCO (gas) Energy Heating Assistance: 1-800-624-2019
• Marquette Board of Light & Power (MBLP): (906) 228-0310

General Assistance

United Way 2-1-1 is a multi-lingual, comprehensive information and referral service available 24/7/365. Its database contains more than 20,000 programs and services such as after school programs, senior care services, medical and prescription assistance, credit counseling and mortgage foreclosure assistance, and housing and utility resources. Dial 211 for assistance.

Michigan Department of Human Services

The Michigan Department of Human Services provides help in numerous ways. Call (906) 228-9691 for assistance in the Marquette area.

• U.P. Zone Office: (906) 786-4400
• Marquette County Office: (906) 228-9691
• Alger County: (906) 387-4440
• Baraga County: (906) 353-4700
• Delta County: (906) 786-5394
• Dickinson County: (906) 774-1484
• Houghton County: (906) 482-0500
• Keweenaw County: (906) 337-3302

Health Insurance Options

COBRA

If you do not qualify for insurance through your spouse/partner's employer or for Medicaid, you may qualify for a reduction of 65% of the cost of COBRA for up to nine months through a new government program. This program may also be available if you previously did not elect for COBRA.

• COBRA Program Website
• Toll free: 1 (866) 444-3272

Spouse/Partner's insurance

Consider enrolling in health insurance available through spouse's or partner's employer

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPPA, you have 30 days to enroll in your spouse/partner's plan if you lose insurance due to loss of employment, regardless of when the open enrollment period is

Private Health Insurance

Research health care insurance providers based on cost and amount of coverage.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance not-for-profit organization provides "Report Cards" on Health Insurance Providers.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BC/BS) of Michigan is the state's nonprofit insurer of last resort. BC/BS must accept all applicants.

• BC/BS may be contacted toll free at 1 (877) 4MY-BLUE [877-469-2583]

Government Funded Health Insurance

Veterans qualify for VA benefits: (877) 222-8387

Medicaid is available to low-income families, disabled persons, children, and pregnant women. To apply for Medicaid, go to or call your local Department of Health Services office.

MIChild helps children under age 19 of working families (those who do not qualify for Medicaid). This program has a higher income bracket than the Medicaid program.

• Toll Free at (888) 988-6300

Free or Low Cost Primary Care

A list of Free Clinics in the Upper Peninsula  can be found at the Free Clinics of Michigan site.

At Community Health Centers, you pay what you can afford based on your income.

Michigan Cover the Uninsured provides free and/or low-cost health screenings locally.

Shopko's MGH FastCare is an iprogram with n-store healthcare visits and lab services during store hours. Call 1-800-713-7259 to locate a Shopko FastCare nearby. Shopko also offers a drive-thru pharmacy available at most stores.