LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In Michigan’s state 2023 budget, recipients of cash assistance and child support will gain an additional $1.1 million in the coming year to help cover costs.
Families enrolled in the Family Independence Program (FIP) will receive the additional child support and cash assistance through the efforts of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) according to WNEM.
“The Family Independence Program (FIP) provides temporary cash assistance to families with children and pregnant women to help them pay for living expenses such as rent, heat, utilities, clothing, food and personal care items,” according to the FIP site.
The program includes a possible Partnership, Accountability, Training, and Hope (PATH) program through the Michigan Works Agenices which helps with finding job opportunities and equipping participants with required job skills. Those applying for FIP must be unemployed or underemployed with a low to very low income with one of the following: a child or 18 years or younger, be pregnant, or be 18 or less and the head of the household. To seek eligibility or an application visit here.
“We’re pleased to place Michigan at the forefront of the movement among states to implement a full pass-through,” Director of MDHHS Elizabeth Hertel said, “Putting more money into the accounts of families is especially important right now, with living expenses increasing.”
Families who receive cash assistance will get the increased payments only if the parent who owes child support pays it in the month it is due. In coordination with the Michigan’s Child Support Program, the funding will be sent to families rather than the state, which the MDHHS said that paying parents know a portion of what they pay will go to the family instead of the government. Previously, if a parent paid child support for $130, $30 of that would go back to the state. Now the state will not keep a portion of the payment when the parent pays the month it is due according to the MDHHS. While in the past, MDHHS passed through up to $200 of child support each month to families with two or more children and up to $100 to families with one child, the state will no longer keep a portion of the child support payments beginning in January of 2023.
For additional information contact your MDHHS specialist or call (877) 543-2660.
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