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BEM 210 13 of 20 FIP GROUP COMPOSITION BPB 2026-002 1-1-2026

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

solely to the caretaker’s employment, as nights slept in the home of the caretaker. Vacations/Other Absences Vacations or other time a child spends away from the primary care- taker does not change the result of the primary caretaker determination, unless the child is away, or expected to be away from the home for more than 30 consecutive days. Once a caretaker is established as primary, the child’s other caretakers are considered absent caretakers. Only the primary caretaker can receive FIP for a child. Absent Caretakers Exception: If otherwise eligible, an absent caretaker may receive FIP for a child when both of the following are true: • The child lives with the absent caretaker for more than 30 consecutive days. • The child does not meet temporary absent requirements to be considered living with the primary caretaker. Caretaking Time Shared Equally If the child sleeps in the home of multiple caretakers an equal num- ber of days in a month, when averaged over a twelve-month period, such as every other week, the caretaker who applies and is certified eligible first is the primary caretaker for that program. Note: It is possible to have a different primary caretaker for different programs Caretaking Time Disputed When the number of days per month a child sleeps in the home of multiple caretakers is questionable or disputed, give each caretaker the opportunity to provide evidence of their claim. Base primary caretaker determination upon best available information and evi- dence supplied by the caretakers; see Verification Sources in this item.

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Page 13

Official source

BEM 210 13 of 20 FIP GROUP COMPOSITION BPB 2026-002 1-1-2026

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

solely to the caretaker’s employment, as nights slept in the home of the caretaker. Vacations/Other Absences Vacations or other time a child spends away from the primary care- taker does not change the result of the primary caretaker determination, unless the child is away, or expected to be away from the home for more than 30 consecutive days. Once a caretaker is established as primary, the child’s other caretakers are considered absent caretakers. Only the primary caretaker can receive FIP for a child. Absent Caretakers Exception: If otherwise eligible, an absent caretaker may receive FIP for a child when both of the following are true: • The child lives with the absent caretaker for more than 30 consecutive days. • The child does not meet temporary absent requirements to be considered living with the primary caretaker. Caretaking Time Shared Equally If the child sleeps in the home of multiple caretakers an equal num- ber of days in a month, when averaged over a twelve-month period, such as every other week, the caretaker who applies and is certified eligible first is the primary caretaker for that program. Note: It is possible to have a different primary caretaker for different programs Caretaking Time Disputed When the number of days per month a child sleeps in the home of multiple caretakers is questionable or disputed, give each caretaker the opportunity to provide evidence of their claim. Base primary caretaker determination upon best available information and evi- dence supplied by the caretakers; see Verification Sources in this item.