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BAM 116 1 of 4 SSI/FAP JOINT APPLICATION PROCESSING BPB 2025-022 10-1-2025
BRIDGES ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT POLICY This item applies to Food Assistance Program (FAP) benefits only. FAP groups consisting entirely of Social Security Income (SSI) applicants or recipients may choose to apply for FAP benefits at the Social Security Administration (SSA) office. This includes individuals who apply for SSI and FAP benefits before being released from medical institutions. Whenever an SSI individual contacts the SSA office for any business, SSA will advise the individual of the right to apply for FAP benefits at the SSA office. SSI individuals retain the option of applying for FAP benefits at an Michigan Department Health Human Services (MDHHS) office. The MDHHS-1171, Assistance Application, and the 1171-FAP, Supplement-FAP are used for SSI individuals choosing to apply for FAP at the SSA office. SSA screens the MDHHS-1171 for potential entitlement to expedited service and informs the applicant that they may receive benefits sooner if they apply at an MDHHS office. SSI individuals may also complete the redetermination process at the SSA office. All FAP redetermination policies in Bridges Administrative Manual (BAM) 210, Redetermination/Ex Parte Review, apply except the in-person interview must be waived if requested by an SSI group and the group is unable to appoint an authorized representative. SSA will handle the application in the same manner as an initial application but will indicate in red at the top of the MDHHS-1171 that it is a redetermination. Individual Rights and Responsibilities SSI groups are entitled to the same rights and have the same responsibilities as any other FAP group. SSA Responsibilities When an SSI group chooses to apply for FAP through SSA, they will take the following actions: • Assist the individual in completing the FAP application. • Prescreen each application for entitlement to expedited service and mark “Expedited Processing” on the first page of all applications which seem to require it.