BPB 2017-016 1 of 3 FAP LIHEAP PAYMENTS BPB 2017-016 8-1-2017

Issued: 8-3-2017 Distribution: STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES s.

EFFECTIVE August 1, 2017. Subject(s) 1. Heat and Utility Standard. 2. Dependent care expenses. 1) HEAT AND UTILITY STANDARD FAP BEM 554 Certain FAP cases will receive a $20.01 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payment that will be deposited to the cash account on their Bridge card around July 28, 2017. This payment allows these cases to receive the full heat and utility (h/u) standard in their budget beginning August 1, 2017. (Michigan Combined Application Project (MiCAP) cases will not be considered for payment.) Eligible for the LIHEAP Payment FAP cases with a shelter expense greater than zero, are not homeless (based on the head of Household Living Arrangement) and all six questions on the Standard Allowance - Details screen, starting with the "Is the household responsible for heating costs…." must be answered "No". Bridges will run EDBC for these cases and if the benefits increase, a DHS-1605, Notice of Case Action, will be sent to the client. The new question "Has the household received the $20.01 LIHEAP payment in July?" will be answered with "Yes" and case comments will be entered to designate the case received the payment. Client Notice A letter will be sent when the payment is issued to the client. This will explain in detail things such as the $20.01 payment, where it is deposited on their Bridge card, how they can access the funds, and that the funds need to be used towards energy costs.

BPB 2017-016 2 of 3 FAP LIHEAP PAYMENTS BPB 2017-016 8-1-2017

Issued: 8-3-2017 Distribution: STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES s.

Home Heating Credit (HHC)/Energy-Related State Emergency Relief (SER) Match Before determining the cases which are eligible to receive the payment, a match will be completed to see if any FAP groups have received an HHC or energy-related SER in an amount greater than $20 in the current month or the previous 12 months. Any cases where a match is found, Bridges will mark the appropriate question (receipt of HHC or energy-related SER) as "Yes", so the client will not receive the $20.01 payment. EDBC will be run for these cases and the case will receive the h/u standard. A DHS-1605, will be sent to any groups that have a change in their benefit amount. Case comments will be entered for this action. Reason: Legislative Initiative 2) DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSES FAP BEM 554 Unreimbursed dependent care expenses are allowed for children under the age of 18 or adults of any age who are incapacitated. These dependent care expenses include activity fees associated with the care provided to the dependent. The activity fees include things such as taking an art class for an after-school program, an adult day care program, or additional equipment fees charged for attending a sports camp. Cost of transportation from the client's home to the dependent care facility and from dependent care facility to home. Reason: Change in FNS Regulation.

BPB 2017-016 3 of 3 FAP LIHEAP PAYMENTS BPB 2017-016 8-1-2017

Issued: 8-3-2017 Distribution: STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES s.

MANUAL MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS Changed Items ... BEM 554