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BAM 420 4 of 11 FIP/SDA RESTRICTED PAYMENTS BPB 2020-033 10-1-2020

BRIDGES ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Money Mismanagement FIP and SDA Restrict payments when the grantee endangers his/her own or an eligible child's health or safety by mismanaging benefits. When money mismanagement might exist (for example, contact from a provider or services specialist), evaluate whether restricted payments are necessary. Complete a DHS-838, Documentation of Money Mismanagement, and file it in the case record. Evaluate possible money mismanagement when the client: • Requests SER benefits, and required payments have not been made. • Fails to meet basic obligations (for example, shelter, heat, utilities or health care). • In FIP only, fails to properly feed and clothe a child. • Incurs debts for nonessential items, limiting the ability to pay essential bills. Restricted payments are appropriate only if money mismanage- ment resulted from the grantee's negligence. This does not include the following situations: • Someone in the group had an emergency which required spending available money. • Bills for essential items exceeded the grant and other income. • A payment was withheld over a legitimate dispute with the provider (for example, landlord) as to whether the terms of an agreement were met. Determining the Restricted Payment Type A decision to use mandatory vendoring or send the entire grant to a third party should reflect the seriousness of the money mismanage- ment. However, use mandatory vendoring if undue time is required to find a payee.

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Page 4

Official source

BAM 420 4 of 11 FIP/SDA RESTRICTED PAYMENTS BPB 2020-033 10-1-2020

BRIDGES ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Money Mismanagement FIP and SDA Restrict payments when the grantee endangers his/her own or an eligible child's health or safety by mismanaging benefits. When money mismanagement might exist (for example, contact from a provider or services specialist), evaluate whether restricted payments are necessary. Complete a DHS-838, Documentation of Money Mismanagement, and file it in the case record. Evaluate possible money mismanagement when the client: • Requests SER benefits, and required payments have not been made. • Fails to meet basic obligations (for example, shelter, heat, utilities or health care). • In FIP only, fails to properly feed and clothe a child. • Incurs debts for nonessential items, limiting the ability to pay essential bills. Restricted payments are appropriate only if money mismanage- ment resulted from the grantee's negligence. This does not include the following situations: • Someone in the group had an emergency which required spending available money. • Bills for essential items exceeded the grant and other income. • A payment was withheld over a legitimate dispute with the provider (for example, landlord) as to whether the terms of an agreement were met. Determining the Restricted Payment Type A decision to use mandatory vendoring or send the entire grant to a third party should reflect the seriousness of the money mismanage- ment. However, use mandatory vendoring if undue time is required to find a payee.