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BEM 210 16 of 20 FIP GROUP COMPOSITION BPB 2026-002 1-1-2026

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

single FIP EDG and certified group. The caretaker, however, is not required to request assistance for all children who are not related to each other as siblings or stepsiblings. FIP Certified Groups with No Child A FIP certified group may be composed of only adults under speci- fied circumstances. Groups with no eligible child may consist of the following: • A pregnant woman and if married, her spouse. Note: If the pregnant woman is not a member of the certified group, such as an SSI recipient, there is no FIP eligibility based on the pregnancy. • The caretaker(s) of a dependent child who would be eligible for FIP except for the child's receipt of SSI. • A legal parent(s) and/or stepparent of a dependent child in an out-of-home foster care placement due to abuse and/or neglect when there is a plan to return the child to the parent's home. Eligibility based on this policy is allowed for up to 12 months from the date the child(ren) were removed. Children’s services or the Services Inquiry screens will verify that there is a plan for reunification with the parent, at application and redetermination; see Verification Sources in this item. DETERMINING THE FIP CERTIFIED GROUP Bridges determines which members of the FIP EDG are included in the FIP certified group. A FIP EDG member, who does not meet a nonfinancial eligibility factor or is disqualified for any reason, is not in the FIP certified group. Note: An immunization penalty is not a disqualification. VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS