Last updated: June 19, 2026
Urgent help in Michigan
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If it is not safe to call, leave if you can and ask a trusted person, school, clinic, store, library, workplace, or neighbor to call for help.
For confidential support any time, call or text Michigan VOICES4 at 1-855-864-2374. VOICES4 is Michigan’s statewide hotline for domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. It can connect you with local shelter, advocacy, safety support, and referrals.
You can also call the National Hotline at 800-799-7233, chat online, or text START to 88788. For food, rent, utilities, transportation, child care, and local crisis referrals, dial Michigan 211, call 844-875-9211, or text your ZIP code to 898211.
Bottom line
Michigan has several real help paths for single mothers dealing with abuse. The fastest starting points are a trained domestic violence advocate, a local shelter or crisis program, Michigan 211, Michigan Legal Help, and MI Bridges. These programs cannot promise housing, money, custody results, or a court order, but they can help you understand safer next steps.
This guide is general information only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or a personal safety plan. Domestic violence situations can change quickly. A trained advocate or lawyer can help you think through your own risks before you take steps that may alert the other person.
For a broader national overview, see ASMOM’s domestic violence help guide. For broader Michigan benefits and local help, use ASMOM’s Michigan help page.
Where to start
Start with the safest contact method you have. A phone call may not be safe if someone checks your call log. Online chat may not be safe if someone monitors your device. If you are not sure, use a safer phone or computer at a library, clinic, school, workplace, court, shelter program, or trusted person’s home.
If you need to leave today
Call or text Michigan VOICES4 and ask for the domestic violence program that serves your county. You can also use the MDHHS county service finder.
If you need court protection
Read Michigan Legal Help’s guide to domestic PPOs. A Personal Protection Order is a court order. An advocate or lawyer can help you decide what to file.
If you need food or bills help
Apply for public benefits through MI Bridges. Michigan says MI Bridges can be used to apply for health coverage, food, cash, child care, and State Emergency Relief.
If you need local backup
Use ASMOM’s Michigan emergency help and community support pages for food, rent, transportation, and local referrals.
Quick reference
| Need | Start here | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Police, medical help, or child safety help | Use the safest method you can. |
| DV advocate | Michigan VOICES4 | Ask for the local program for your county | Shelter space can change hour by hour. |
| National support | The National Hotline | Ask for safety planning and local referrals | Wait times may happen during high demand. |
| Shelter and basic needs | Michigan 211 | Ask for DV shelter, food, rent, and transport help | 211 gives referrals; it does not approve aid. |
| Court order | Michigan Legal Help | Ask about a domestic relationship PPO | A PPO is not a guarantee of safety. |
| Benefits | MI Bridges | Apply for food, medical, cash, child care, or SER | You may need documents and follow-up. |
Safe shelter and local advocacy
A domestic violence shelter is more than a place to sleep. Local programs may help with crisis planning, child needs, court support, counseling referrals, safety supplies, and referrals for food or housing. They may also help you think through how to leave with children, pets, medicine, school items, and documents.
To find a program near you, use MCEDSV resources, the state county service finder, or Michigan 211. If one shelter is full, ask the advocate to check nearby counties and to help you think about transportation.
Safety note
Do not tell the person harming you that you are calling shelters, applying for a PPO, changing addresses, or planning to leave unless an advocate or lawyer helps you decide that is safe. Leaving or filing court papers can sometimes increase danger.
Personal Protection Orders in Michigan
A Personal Protection Order, often called a PPO, is a civil court order. In a domestic relationship case, it may apply to a current or former spouse, someone you dated, someone you live with or lived with, or your child’s other parent. A PPO can order the other person not to contact you, come to your home, threaten you, interfere with you at work or school, or do other acts listed by the court.
You can use Michigan Legal Help’s PPO guide and the Michigan Courts PPO forms page. The Michigan Courts page says personal protection proceedings forms are filed in the family division of circuit court. Filing details can vary by county. Some courts use electronic filing, and some may have a PPO office or self-help center.
| Step | What it means | Who can help |
|---|---|---|
| Write what happened | Use dates, threats, injuries, police reports, texts, photos, and witness names if safe. | DV advocate, legal aid, court self-help |
| File with court | File in the correct Michigan circuit court or through the court’s filing system. | Court clerk, Michigan Legal Help |
| Ask about service | The other person usually must be served with the papers. | Court clerk, sheriff, process server, advocate |
| Prepare for a hearing | A judge may set a hearing, or the other person may object. | Legal aid, CVLAP, advocate |
A PPO is only one tool. It may help with court enforcement, but it does not replace a safety plan. If you are worried the order may make the other person more dangerous, talk to an advocate before filing when possible.
Address privacy and safer records
Michigan’s Address Confidentiality Program can help eligible survivors use a substitute address and free mail forwarding so their real address is harder to find in public records. The program is run by the Michigan Department of Attorney General. The state says applicants work through application assistants or victim advocates.
Address privacy can matter for school forms, court papers, child support, benefits, voter records, landlord documents, and medical offices. Ask an advocate before changing addresses or filing papers if the other person may search public records. Also ask each agency to use your safest phone, email, and mailing address.
For digital safety, use a safer device when you can. Deleting messages or browser history may be noticed by someone who monitors your phone, so ask an advocate before changing settings if you are worried about escalation.
Medical and sexual assault care
If you were injured, strangled, sexually assaulted, or are worried about pregnancy, infection, or head injury, ask for medical help as soon as you safely can. You can call VOICES4, a local sexual assault program, or a hospital for current instructions.
Michigan’s victim services page says sexual assault victims should not be billed for a sexual assault medical forensic exam, and a hospital, doctor, or nurse cannot require a victim to talk to police to get the exam. If you get a bill or are pressured to report before care, contact an advocate or the state victim services office for help.
If you need health coverage, MI Bridges can be used to apply for Medicaid and other benefits. ASMOM’s Michigan health care guide can help you find coverage and clinic starting points.
Housing rights when abuse affects where you live
If you rent, Michigan law may let you end a lease early in domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking situations when you follow the required steps. Michigan Legal Help explains how to send written notice and what types of proof may be accepted in its guide to breaking a lease. Do not send a letter from a monitored device or shared printer if that may put you at risk.
If you have a Housing Choice Voucher, public housing, project-based Section 8, HOME, ESG, or another covered federal housing program, VAWA housing protections may apply. MSHDA’s VAWA housing page explains protections for applicants and tenants, emergency transfer requests, and complaint options.
Common housing mistakes
- Leaving a lease without asking about Michigan’s legal steps first.
- Assuming a shelter bed is open without calling first.
- Giving a new address to a landlord, school, or court without asking about privacy options.
- Waiting until eviction papers arrive before asking for legal help.
For more housing paths, use ASMOM’s Michigan housing guide.
Money, food, health care, and child care help
Domestic violence often creates money problems fast. You may need groceries, child care, gas, a phone, medical care, counseling, school supplies, a lock change, or a safer place to stay. Michigan benefits can help, but most programs require an application, proof, and review. Apply as soon as it is safe to do so.
| Program | What it may help with | Where to start | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Victim Compensation | Certain crime-related costs, such as medical care, counseling, lost earnings, funeral costs, relocation, or transportation | Crime compensation | It is not instant cash and may be payer of last resort. |
| State Emergency Relief | Relocation, housing emergencies, heat, utilities, home repairs, or burial help | SER relocation | Relocation housing must meet affordability rules. |
| Food Assistance Program | Monthly food help on a Bridge Card | Food assistance | Eligibility depends on household and finances. |
| FIP cash assistance | Temporary cash help for eligible pregnant women and families with minor children | FIP cash help | Work program and time-limit rules may apply. |
| CDC child care | Help paying for child care so you can work, train, attend school, or meet approved needs | CDC child care | You may still owe part of the provider’s charge. |
Related ASMOM guides can help you go deeper on Michigan SNAP, Michigan TANF, child care aid, and utility help.
Legal help for custody, divorce, child support, housing, and benefits
Abuse can affect custody, parenting time, child support, eviction, benefits, immigration, work, school, and debt. Try not to sign court papers, custody agreements, lease papers, or benefit statements you do not understand. A lawyer or legal aid worker can explain your options.
The Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project provides free civil legal help to some Michigan survivors of domestic violence and elder or vulnerable adult abuse. Michigan Legal Help also has a lawyer finder.
If child support is part of your situation, ask the child support office, legal aid, or an advocate about family violence protections before sharing an address or filing papers. Michigan child support policy can flag family violence concerns, and public assistance applicants may ask about good cause when cooperation could create danger. ASMOM’s Michigan child support page explains the regular system, but a safety issue should be discussed with a trained professional.
Documents and information checklist
Do not risk your safety to get documents. If you cannot safely reach papers, tell the advocate, court, or benefits worker. They may be able to explain other proof options.
| Item | Why it may help | Safety note |
|---|---|---|
| IDs and birth certificates | Benefits, shelter, school, court, housing | Take copies only if safe. |
| Medications and insurance cards | Health care for you and your children | Ask a pharmacy or doctor about refills. |
| School and child care info | Enrollment, transportation, custody, care plans | Ask about address privacy. |
| Proof of income | MI Bridges, housing, legal aid screening | Use pay stubs or employer letters if safe. |
| Texts, photos, reports | PPOs, lease issues, crime compensation | Store evidence where it cannot be found by the abuser. |
| Lease and utility bills | Housing, SER, lease termination, utility aid | Do not alert the landlord too early if safety is a concern. |
ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you build a broader benefits and court folder.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using unsafe contact information. Ask every office to use the safest phone, email, and mailing address.
- Assuming a PPO fixes everything. A PPO is one tool. Ask about school pickup, child care, work, housing, and transportation.
- Breaking a lease too fast. Michigan has rules for early lease release. Ask legal aid or an advocate before sending notice.
- Waiting for perfect proof. Ask what can be replaced later if papers were left behind.
- Ignoring benefit notices. Read the deadline and ask for help quickly.
If the first option does not work
If a shelter is full, ask VOICES4 or 211 to check other counties, hotel voucher options, transportation help, and culturally specific programs. If your MI Bridges application is delayed, upload missing proofs if safe and call MDHHS to ask what is still needed. If legal aid cannot take your case, ask for brief advice, a clinic, a self-help center, or a lawyer referral.
If benefits are denied, reduced, closed, or delayed too long, Michigan Legal Help has a hearing request tool. ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize notices, call notes, and documents.
If you feel overwhelmed, choose the next safest single step. That may be calling an advocate, making a document folder, applying for food help, asking the school social worker for support, or speaking with a legal aid screener. You do not have to solve everything in one day. If getting to a program is the barrier, see ASMOM’s Michigan transportation guide.
Phone scripts
Calling VOICES4
“Hi, I am in Michigan and I need help with domestic violence. I have children with me. I need to know the safest local program to call, whether shelter is available, and what I should do before I leave.”
Calling 211
“I am a single mother dealing with domestic violence. I need referrals for safe shelter, food, transportation, and emergency rent or utility help in my county. Please tell me which programs are open today.”
Calling legal aid
“I need legal advice about domestic violence, a PPO, custody or parenting time, and possibly housing. I am worried about my address being shared. Can you screen me for free legal help or a safe referral?”
Calling MDHHS
“I applied through MI Bridges and my situation involves domestic violence. I may not be able to get some documents safely. What proof can you accept, and can you tell me what is still missing?”
Resumen en espanol
Si usted o sus hijos estan en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para ayuda confidencial en Michigan, llame o mande texto a Michigan VOICES4 al 1-855-864-2374. Tambien puede llamar a la Linea Nacional al 800-799-7233 o enviar START al 88788.
Puede llamar al 211 para ayuda local con refugio, comida, renta, transporte y servicios cerca de usted. Si necesita una orden de proteccion, ayuda con vivienda, beneficios, custodia o manutencion infantil, hable con una defensora o con asistencia legal antes de compartir su direccion o presentar papeles si eso puede aumentar el peligro.
FAQ
What should I do first if I am not safe at home?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. If you can safely make a confidential call or text, contact Michigan VOICES4 at 1-855-864-2374 and ask for the local domestic violence program for your county.
Can a Michigan shelter take me and my children tonight?
Maybe. Shelter space changes quickly. Call VOICES4, a local domestic violence program, or Michigan 211 and ask what is available now and whether transportation help exists.
Can I get a PPO against my child’s other parent?
Possibly. A domestic relationship PPO may apply to a child’s other parent, current or former spouse, dating partner, or someone you live with or lived with. A court decides whether to grant an order.
Can I break my lease because of domestic violence in Michigan?
Michigan law may let a tenant end a lease early in certain domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking situations if the required notice and proof steps are followed. Talk to an advocate or lawyer before sending notice if safety is a concern.
Can I keep my address private?
Michigan has an Address Confidentiality Program for eligible survivors and others at risk. A certified victim advocate or application assistant can help you apply.
Where can I apply for food, cash, medical, child care, or emergency help?
Use MI Bridges to apply for Michigan benefits. You can apply for food assistance, medical coverage, cash assistance, child care, and State Emergency Relief through the portal.
What if my benefits are denied or delayed?
Read the notice and deadline right away. Michigan Legal Help has a hearing request tool for many MDHHS benefit decisions. Ask an advocate or legal aid office if the notice is unclear.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 19, 2026, next review September 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.