What Types of ID will the Department of Human Services Accept?
If your client wants help from the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS), your client must prove three things:
- A. Who they are (identity) - DHS accepts a wider variety of proof than the Secretary of State. See the chart below for more information.
- B. That they have a Social Security card or are applying for one.
- C. That they are a U.S. citizen or have acceptable immigration status papers.
If your client does have all the papers they need to get benefits for themself, they may be able to get benefits for someone else in the home. For example, if a parent does not have an ID or the right immigration paper, the parent still can ask for benefits for his or her minor children. The children will have to have all the right papers. If your client tells DHS that he or she is not applying for themselves, DHS should not ask your client any papers about the client except proof of the client's income and expenses (in order to pro-rate benefits).
If your client has trouble getting DHS benefits for another member of the household because the client does not have ID, your client should contact the local legal aid office. The legal aid office does not charge a fee for eligible low-income persons. You can locate the “free” legal services or legal aid office that serves your county on the Michigan Legal Aid web site or look in the yellow pages under “attorneys” or call the toll-free lawyer referral number, (800) 968-0738. Persons seeking food assistance program benefits (food stamps) can also contact the Statewide Food and Nutrition Helpline at 1-800-481-4989.
A. Proving Who You Are
Different DHS programs allow you to use different documents to prove who you are.
The chart below shows what documents are accepted for different programs.
| Type of Proof | Food Assistance | Childcare | Medicaid, or cash assistance | ||
| Drivers License or State ID | X | X | X | ||
| School ID | X | X | X | ||
| Papers showing you receive other benefits that require ID such as SSI, Social Security, or Medicare | X | X | X | ||
| Birth Certificate | X | X | X | ||
| U.S. Passport | X | X | X | ||
| Certificate of naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570) or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (N-560 or N-561) | X | X | X | ||
| Native American Tribal ID | X | X | |||
| Identification for health benefits | X | ||||
| Voter registration card | X | ||||
| Wage stub | X | ||||
| Birth certificate/record | X | X | |||
| U.S. Military Card or Military Dependent record or Draft record or Merchant Marine Card | X* | X | |||
| Native American Tribal Document | X* | X | |||
| DHS contacts a third party to find out who you are (if they can’t get documents) | X* | X |
* This proof may be accepted, unless questionable.
B. Social Security Number
DHS requires you to prove you have a Social Security Card. For information about getting a card, click here.
You cannot be denied benefits if you don’t have a Social Security card as long as you are trying to get one. Anyone over age 16 who gets help from DHS must take steps to get a Social Security card, if they do not have one available. DHS must be given a copy of the card.
C. Proving Citizenship or Proper Immigration Status
Each DHS program has different rules about what immigrants can receive help and what papers are needed. This can be confusing. If you have any questions about this, you may want to get legal advice. If you have questions about who can get food stamps and what documents are required, you can contact the statewide Food and Nutrition Helpline, 1-800-481-4989 which provides free, confidential information about the Food Assistance Program.
DHS can change its rules about what types of proof it will accept. See the DHS Manuals for the latest policies on its citizenship and identification requirements.
