Page 1

BEM 100 1 of 18 INTRODUCTION BPB 2026-014 5-1-2026

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

OVERVIEW

Family Independence Program (FIP) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), called the Family Independence Program (FIP) in Michigan, is a block grant that was established by the Social Security Act. Public Act (P.A.) 223 of 1995 amended P.A. 280 of 1939 and provides a state legal base for FIP. FIP policies are also authorized by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL), Michigan Administrative Code (MAC), and federal court orders. Amendments to the Social Security Act by the U.S. Congress affect the administration and scope of the FIP program. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers the Social Security Act. Within HHS, the Administration for Children and Families has specific responsibility for the administration of the FIP program. Each state must submit a state plan for FIP. State plans are located at http://www.michigan.gov. When federal statute or regulations provide for options, the state plan must indicate which optional provisions the state selects. In selecting optional provisions and developing policy, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is governed primarily by state statutes. The state plan must be approved by HHS and the Governor's Clearinghouse for conformity to federal and state laws and regulations. A specific legal base is cited at the end of each program manual item. Program Goal The Family Independence Program (FIP) provides financial assis- tance to families with children. The goal of FIP is to help maintain and strengthen family life for children and the parent(s) or other caretaker(s) with whom they are living, and to help the family attain or retain capability for maximum self-support and personal indepen- dence. Several nonfinancial and financial eligibility factors must be met for a family to be eligible for FIP.