Housing assistance to be extended 3 months

LANSING (AP) -- State officials have agreed to pay for up to six months of housing assistance for former Michigan welfare recipients who lost their benefits after exceeding state and federal time limits. Two state agencies are teaming up to provide three more months of housing assistance, twice what was originally offered. The state Department of Human Services removed 11,000 families from the welfare rolls last November because they'd reached the five-year federal time limit. DHS said those losing benefits would be offered three months' worth of assistance with housing and job placement. Now the assistance will last for six months. To qualify, recipients must report regularly to a Michigan Works! center to look for work and take steps to show they've applied for jobs. DHS is contacting families eligible for the extension. Published: Thu, Feb 2, 2012