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BEM 228 2 of 22 FAMILY AUTOMATED SCREENING TOOL AND FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLAN BPB 2025-008 4-1-2025
BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
• The obligation to cooperate in the establishment of paternity and to assign child and spousal support to MDHHS and to cooperate in the procurement of child support. • The obligation of the recipient who fails to comply with compliance goals due to substance abuse to participate in substance abuse treatment and submit to any periodic drug testing required by the treatment program. • Notification to the recipient of the individual 60-month lifetime cumulative total for receiving FIP assistance. • Notification to recipient regarding employment and self- sufficiency related noncompliance that may be imposed. • Prohibition against use of FIP to purchase lottery tickets, alcohol, or tobacco. Cash assistance grants cannot be used for gambling, illegal activities, massage parlors, spas, tattoo shops, bail-bond agencies, adult entertainment, cruise ships or other nonessential items. • The Family Automated Screening Tool (FAST) is a Web-based initial screening to identify the strengths and needs of FIP families. Completing a FAST is one of the FIP participant’s first required work related activities and establishes a foundation for the development of a successful FSSP. All Work Eligible Individuals (WEIs) and non WEI’s as defined below are required to complete the FAST within 30 days and participate in the development of the FSSP within 90 days of the FAST/FSSP notice. Compliance with the FSSP is a required activity for all WEIs. These requirements apply to FIP participants who are referred to PATH as well as those who are temporarily deferred. Non-compliance with the FSSP without good cause may result in penalties outlined in BEM 233A, 233B and 233C. Exception: RCA recipients have a requirement to complete a Refugee Family Self-Sufficiency Plan (RFSSP) with the refugee contractor (RC). WHEN TO COMPLETE Explain the purpose of the FAST and FSSP during the initial in-per- son or phone interview and determine whether the participant