Michigan Financial Assistance

If you got a past-due notice from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), you've probably heard about the Lifeline H2O plan and its $34 monthly bill. The problem is that, as of October 2026, DWSD says enrollment is full. That leaves many Detroit households asking what they can do right now. This guide walks through the options that are actually open, in the order that usually works best: stop the shutoff with a payment plan, ask the state for emergency help with the

Detroit's faith-based safety net is anchored by the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, St. Vincent de Paul, the Pope Francis Center, Noah at Central United Methodist, and the Salvation Army, with congregations like Hartford Memorial Baptist and Fort Street Presbyterian adding meals and pantries. This guide lists 15 and how to reach each one. Detroit's parishes, congregations, and faith-founded ministries run soup kitchens, weekly pantries, day centers, and shelters. St. Vincent de Paul a