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BEM 5541 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022DEPARTMENTPOLICYFood Assistance Program (FAP) OnlyBridges uses certain expenses to determine net income for FAP eligibility and benefit levels. For groups with no senior/disabled/disabled veteran (SDV)member, Bridges uses the following:Dependent care expense.Excess shelter up to the maximum in Reference TablesManual (RFT) 255.Court ordered child support and arrearages paid to nonhousehold members. For groups with one or more SDV member, Bridges uses thefollowing: see Bridges Eligibility Manual (BEM) 550:Dependent care expense.Excess shelter.Court ordered child support and arrearages paid to nonhousehold members.Medical expenses for the SDV member(s) that exceed 35.Complete either a manually calculated or Bridges budget to document expenses every time an expense change is reported.ALLOWABLEEXPENSESAn expense is allowed if all of the following: The service is provided by someone outside of the FAP group. Someone in the FAP group has the responsibility to pay for theservice in money. Verification is provided, if required.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 5542 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022Responsibility toPayResponsibility to pay means that the expense is in the name of aperson in the FAP group.Exception: If the expense is in someone else’s name, allow theexpense if the FAP group claims the expense and the serviceaddress on the bill is where they live.Do not allow any expense if the entire expense is directly paid byan agency or someone outside of the group.An expense that is fully reimbursed is not allowed; see BEM 500,Reimbursements.If an expense is partially reimbursed or paid by an agency or someone outside of the FAP group, allow only the amount that the groupis responsible to pay, unless specific policy directs otherwise.Example 1: HUD pays 150 toward a FAP group’s 325 rentalexpense. Allow only the 175 ( 325 rent - 150 HUD pays 175)that the group is expected to pay.Example 2: Natalie's rental amount is 400 per month. Her motherpays 200 every month directly to the landlord. Natalie is allowed a 200 rental expense.Shared ExpensesAllow only the FAP group’s portion of child support, medical ordependent care expenses if another person outside of the FAPgroup is jointly responsible. If the FAP group’s share can be identified, allow that portion. Otherwise, the expense is evenly proratedamong the groups responsible for it and the FAP group’s proratedshare is allowed.Note: The heat and utility standard and the individual utilitystandards are never prorated, even if the expense is shared. Referto the following sections found in this item: Mandatory heat and utility standard.Mandatory individual standards.Member RemovalThe expenses of a FAP member who is no longer living with thegroup are removed when the member removal is processed.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 5543 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022VerificationThe Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)must verify the responsibility to pay, and the amount of certainexpenses; see the individual expense policy for verification requirements. Document verification used in the case record.Do not budget expenses that require verification until theverification is provided. Determine eligibility and the benefit levelwithout an expense requiring verification if it cannot be verified.Note: Do not include a medical expense that might be covered bya reimbursement if the amount of the reimbursement cannot beverified.Treat subsequently provided verification from an eligible FAP groupas a change. A supplement for lost benefits is issued only if theexpense could not be verified within 30 days of the application andthe local office was at fault.BUDGETINGEXPENSESBudget MonthExpenses are used from the same calendar month as the month forwhich benefits are being determined.Example: June expenses are used to determine June’s benefits.Expenses remain unchanged until the FAP group reports a change;see Bridges Administrative Manual (BAM 220), ChangeProcessing.Determining theMonthly AmountBridges converts all expenses (except one-time-only expenses thegroup does not wish to average) to a nonfluctuating monthlyamount.The same conversion method is used to determine countable available income in BEM 505. Bridges will convert a(n): Weekly expense, multiply the average weekly expense by 4.3. Twice a month expense, multiply the average weekly expenseby 2.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 5544 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022 Every other week expense, multiply the average expense by2.15. Yearly expense, average the bill over 12 months beginningwith the first billing of the year. Quarterly expense, average the bill over three months. Expense billed less often than monthly. Bridges will averagethe one-time-only expense over the balance of the benefitperiod or over the period of time the client has theresponsibility to pay. The expense is allowed beginning withthe first benefit month the change can affect.Example: Groups that have 24-month benefit periods must begiven options for one-time-only medical expenses; see MedicalExpenses in this item.Home Equity Loan ExpenseTo determine the countable monthly expenses for a home equityloan, use either: The entire amount (principal and interest) for a fixed, nonfluctuating home equity loan. The average of two or more recent month’s payments(principal and interest) for a variable home equity loanpayment, unless the FAP group states the payment amount isdifferent for the benefit month being determined.Document in the case record or in Bridges what months were usedand why they were representative.Non-Converted ExpensesExpenses that will not continue beyond the month following thebenefit month being processed are not converted.Budget non-converted expenses for the month they are billed orotherwise become due, regardless of when the FAP group intendsto pay the expense.Non-converted expenses are budgeted for one benefit month only.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 5545 of 34BPB 2022-001FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETING1-1-2022Expenses forDisqualified orIneligible PersonsThe treatment of expenses paid by or billed to ineligible or disqualified persons differs depending on the reason the person is not inthe group.Determine the appropriate month’s expenses for a disqualified orineligible person as if he were a member of the FAP group.Student StatusExpenses for which the ineligible student is responsible are notbudgeted.Employment Related Activities, IPV, Trafficking, Parole orProbation Violation or DivestmentBudget total expenses, including medical expenses of a senior, disabled, disabled veteran (SDV) disqualified person. Allow unlimitedexcess shelter even if the only SDV member is the disqualified person.Social Security Enumeration, Citizenship/Non-Citizen Status,Child Support Non-Cooperation or Time LimitedThe mandatory heat and utility standard, mandatory individualstandards and actual utility expenses are never prorated. However,only a prorated portion for dependent care expenses and childsupport expenses is allowed.To determine the prorated amount to allow:1.Divide the expense evenly by the number of group members,including the disqualified person(s) living with the FAP group.2.Multiply the result by the number of eligible group members.Example: One person in the group is disqualified with a childsupport expense of 200.00 per month. The total group size is 4.Bridges divides 200.00 by 4 which equals 50.00. It thenmultiplies 50.00 by 3 eligible group members which equals 150.00 and allows a child support expense of 150.00.Bridges does not allow: BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALMedical expenses for SDV disqualified persons.STATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 5546 of 34 BPB 2022-001FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETING1-1-2022Unlimited excess shelter if the only SDV member isdisqualified.CHILD SUPPORTEXPENSESThe following child support expenses are allowed: The amount of court-ordered child support and arrearages paidby the household members to non-household members in thebenefit month. Court-ordered third-party payments (landlord or utilitycompany) on behalf of a non-household member. Legally obligated child support paid to an individual or agencyoutside the household, for a child who is now a householdmember, provided the payments are not returned to thehousehold.Do not allow more than the legal obligation if the client is up to dateon their child support payments. However, if they are behind andmaking arrearage payments, allow the total amount paid even if itexceeds the court-ordered amount. Current and arrearage childsupport expenses must be paid to be allowed.VerificationVerify child support expenses and arrearages paid to nonhousehold members at application, redetermination and when achange is reported. All the following must be verified:1.2.3.The household’s legal obligation to pay.The monthly amount of the obligation for current child support.The amount of child support the household actually pays.Current payments must be entered separately from arrearage payments on Bridges. A separate arrearage order is not needed toallow arrearage payments. If MDHHS verifies child supportpayments are court ordered, the original court order also serves asverification of the arrearage.VerificationSourcesAcceptable verification sources include, but are not limited to:BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 5547 of 34 BPB 2022-001FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETING1-1-2022For the household’s legal obligation to pay and currentobligation amount:Court or administrative order.Legally enforceable separation agreement. For the household’s actual child support and arrearages paid:Wage withholding statements.Verification of withholding from unemploymentcompensation or other unearned income.Statements from the custodial parent regarding direct payments.Statements from the custodial parent regarding third partypayments the noncustodial parent pays or expects to payon behalf of the custodial parent.Data obtained from the state’s Child Support EnforcementSystem (MICSES).Note: Documents that are accepted as verification of thehousehold’s legal obligation to pay child support and arrearagesare not acceptable as verification of the household’s actual monthlypayment.DEPENDENT CAREEXPENSESAllow an unreimbursed dependent care expense for a child underthe age of 18 or an adult of any age who is incapacitated and amember of the FAP group, when such care is necessary to enablea member of the FAP group to work. This is the amount the FAPgroup actually pays out-of-pocket. The expense does not have tobe paid to be allowed. Allow only the amount the provider expectsthe client to pay out-of-pocket. Work includes seeking, accepting orcontinuing employment, or training or education preparatory toemployment.Note: Unreimbursed dependent care expenses may also include: BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALActivity fees associated with the care provided to thedependent such as taking an art class for an after-schoolprogram, an adult day care program, or additional equipmentfees charged for attending a sports camp.STATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 5548 of 34 FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022Cost of transportation to and from dependent care facilitiesincurred by the household.Use cents-per-mile to determine the transportationexpense.Go to the Michigan Department of Management andBudget at www.michigan.gov/dtmb, select Servicesthen select Travel. On the travel page, select TravelRates in Cost cities for the current year then usePremium Rate under Mileage RatesCase Management Tip: Be especially careful in following theabove dependent care expense budgeting policy if the client’sdependent care is reimbursed by the Child Development and Careprogram (CDC) or another agency or person.VerificationVerify dependent care expenses at application, reported changeand redetermination.VerificationSourcesAcceptable verification sources include, but are not limited to: Bills or written statement or collateral contact with the providerfor the dependent care expenses including activity fees. Written statement from the client on the number of miles fromhome to the facility and use the same miles from the facility tohome.MEDICALEXPENSESApplication andRedeterminationConsider only the medical expenses of SDV persons in the eligiblegroup or SDV persons disqualified for certain reasons; seeExpenses for Disqualified or Ineligible Persons in this item.Estimate an SDV person’s medical expenses for the benefit period.Base the estimate on all the following: BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALVerified allowable medical expenses.STATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 5549 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022 Available information about the SDV member’s medicalcondition and health insurance. Changes that can reasonably be anticipated to occur duringthe benefit period.Standard Medical Deduction (SMD)An SDV group that has a verified one-time or ongoing medicalexpense(s) of more than 35 for an SDV person(s) will receive theSMD. The SMD is 165. If the group has actual medical expenseswhich are more than the SMD, they have the option to verify theiractual expenses instead of receiving the SMD.Example 1: Mickey has monthly ongoing medical expense totaling 36 dollars and verifies the medical expense. After subtracting 35,he has a remaining balance of 1. He will receive the SMD in hisbudget.Example 2: Corbin has monthly medical expenses of 235 andverifies the medical expenses. His expenses exceed the SMD, sohe would receive a higher medical expense of 200. ( 235- 35)Example 3: Using the above example, Corbin only returnsverifications in the amount of 50. Since the verified expenses areless than the SMD, he will receive the SMD in his budget.During the Benefit PeriodA FAP group is not required to but may voluntarily report changesduring the benefit period. Process changes during the benefitperiod only if they are one of the following: Voluntarily reported and verified during the benefit period suchas expenses reported and verified for MA deductible. Reported by another source and there is sufficient informationand verification to determine the allowable amount withoutcontacting the FAP group.One-Time-Only ExpensesGroups that do not have a 24-month benefit period may choose tobudget a one-time-only medical expense for one month or averageit over the balance of the benefit period. Bridges will allow theexpense in the first benefit month the change can affect.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 55410 of 34BPB 2022-001FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETING1-1-2022Exception: Groups that have 24-month benefit periods must begiven the following options for one-time-only medical expensesbilled or due within the first 12 months of the benefit period:1.Budget it for one month.2.Average it over the remainder of the first 12 months of thebenefit period.3.Average it over the remainder of the 24-month benefit period.Example: Sally has a 1,200 emergency room bill in 11/08. It isnot covered by Medicaid or any medical insurance and shereceived the first bill for this service in 1/09. Her FAP benefit periodis 10/1/08 through 9/30/10. She can elect to use: The entire 1,200 deduction to affect 2/09 benefits. This wouldprobably increase her FAP to the maximum amount for thatone month. 150 per month ( 1,200 bill divided by 8 months remaining inthe first 12 months of her benefit period) to affect 2/09 through9/09. This would probably increase her FAP benefits by 50per month for eight months. 60 per month ( 1,200 bill divided by 20 months remaining inthe benefit period) to affect 2/09 through 9/10. This wouldprobably increase her FAP benefits by 20 for 20 months. (Ifshe were within 20 of the maximum, this option would benefither the most.)Allowable MedicalExpensesAllowable medical expenses are limited to the following: Medical and dental care including psychotherapy andrehabilitation services provided by a licensed practitionerauthorized by State law or other qualified health professional. Hospitalization or nursing care. Include these expenses for aperson who was a group member immediately prior to enteringa hospital or nursing home. Prescription drugs and the postage for mail-orderedprescriptions.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 55411 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022 Costs of medical supplies, sickroom equipment (includingrental) or other prescribed medical equipment (excluding thecost for special diets). Over-the-counter medication (including insulin) and otherhealth-related supplies (bandages, sterile gauze, incontinencepads, etc.) when recommended by a licensed healthprofessional. Premiums for health and hospitalization policies (excluding thecost of income maintenance type health policies and accidentpolicies, also known as assurances). If the policy covers morethan one person, allow a prorated amount for the SDVperson(s). Medicare premiums. Dentures, hearing aids and prosthetics including the cost ofsecuring and maintaining a seeing eye or hearing dog or otherassistance animal. (Animal food and veterinary expenses areincluded.) Eyeglasses when prescribed by an ophthalmologist (physicianeye specialist) or optometrist. Actual costs of transportation and lodging necessary to securemedical treatment or services. If actual costs cannot bedetermined for transportation, allow the cents-per-mile amountat the standard mileage rate for a privately owned vehicle inlieu of an available state vehicle. To find the cents-per-mileamount go to the Michigan Department of Management andBudget at www.michigan.gov/dtmb, select Services & Facilitiesfrom the left navigation menu, then select Travel. On the travelpage, choose Travel Rates and High Cost Cities using the ratefor the current year. The cost of employing an attendant, homemaker, home healthaide, housekeeper, home help provider, or child care providerdue to age, infirmity or illness. This cost must include anamount equal to the maximum FAP benefits for one person ifthe FAP group provides the majority of the attendant’s meals. Ifthis attendant care cost could qualify as both a medicalexpense and a dependent care expense, it must be treated asa medical expense. A Medicaid deductible is allowed if the following are true.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 55412 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022The medical expenses used to meet the Medicaiddeductible are allowable FAP expenses.The medical expenses are not overdue. See below.Note: Medical marijuana is not an allowable medical expense.Estimating andDetermining anAllowable MedicalExpenseEstimate an SDV person’s medical expenses for the benefit period.The expense does not have to be paid to be allowed. Allowmedical expenses when verification of the portion paid, or to bepaid by insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. is provided. Allow onlythe non-reimbursable portion of a medical expense. The medicalbill cannot be overdue.The medical bill is not overdue if one of the following conditionsexists: Currently incurred (for example, in the same month, ongoing,etc.). Currently billed (client is receiving the bill for the first time for amedical expense provided earlier and the bill is not overdue). Client made a payment arrangement before the medical billbecame overdue.VERIFICATIONVerify allowable medical expenses, including the amount of reimbursement, at initial application and redetermination. Groups thatcontinue to have a medical expense(s) that allow them to receivethe SMD, will not need to reverify the expense at redetermination,unless questionable. Verify reported changes in the source oramount of medical expenses if the change would result in anincrease in benefits.Do not verify other factors, unless questionable. Other factorsinclude things like the allowability of the service or the eligibility ofthe person incurring the cost.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 55413 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022VERIFICATIONSOURCESAcceptable verification sources include, but are not limited to: Current bills or written statement from the provider, which showall amounts paid by, or to be paid by, insurance, Medicare orMedicaid. Insurance, Medicare or Medicaid statements which showcharges incurred and the amount paid, or to be paid, by theinsurer. DHS-54A, Medical Needs, completed by a licensed health careprofessional. SOLQ for Medicare premiums. Written statements from licensed health care professionals. Collateral contact with the provider. (Most commonly used todetermine cost of dog food, over-the-counter medication andhealth-related supplies, and ongoing medical transportation).SHELTEREXPENSESAllow a shelter expense when the FAP group has a shelterexpense or contributes to the shelter expense. When shelterexpenses are shared, groups are only allowed the amount theycontribute. Shelter expenses are allowed when billed. Theexpenses do not have to be paid to be allowed.Late fees and/or penalties incurred for shelter expenses are not anallowable expense.Example: Sally receives FAP and the total monthly rental amountis 700. Her roommate, who is not in her FAP group pays 500 tothe landlord. Sally has a rental expense of 200.Note: When a shelter expense is paid in advance, continue toallow the ongoing monthly shelter expense. Example: A client’smonthly shelter expense is 300. They pay 900 to the landlord tocover the months of April-June. Continue to allow the monthlyshelter obligation of 300 in the FAP budgets for April-June.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 55414 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022Homeless ShelterDeductionGroups in which all members are homeless and do not receive freeshelter (for example, domestic violence or homeless shelters, etc.)may receive a homeless shelter deduction; see RFT 255, FoodAssistance Standards.The FAP group has the choice between using their actual shelterexpense(s) or the homeless shelter deduction.Example 1: Alivia and her children are at a domestic violenceshelter and they do not have any shelter expenses. Since she doesnot have any shelter expenses, they do not qualify for the HSD.Example 2: Connor and his wife sleep on a park bench. Theyreceived a home heating credit in an amount greater than 20 inthe current month or past 12 months. Their specialist inquires ifthey want to have the h/u standard or the HSD in their budget.Once the specialist explains the two different amounts, the clientschoose the h/u standard.Housing ExpensesHousing expenses include rent, mortgage, a second mortgage,home equity loan, required condo or maintenance fees, lot rental orother payments including interest leading to ownership of theshelter occupied by the FAP group.The expense must be a continuing one. Payments that exceed thenormal monthly obligation are not deductible as a shelter expenseunless the payment is necessary to prevent eviction or foreclosure,and it has not been allowed in a previous FAP budget. Additionalexpenses for optional charges, such as carports, pets, etc. are notallowed.Note: Some finance companies or banks may combine billings forallowable shelter expenses with other loans. Be careful to onlyallow the portion that is an allowable shelter expense. Home equityloans are allowable, see Determining the Monthly Amount, HomeEquity Loan Expense in this item.Temporary HousingIf FIP or SDA shelter vendor payments are made on behalf of aFAP group residing in temporary housing per BEM 500,BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 55415 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022Government Aid section, subtract the vendor payment from thetotal shelter amount to determine the allowable shelter expense.Rental Income SituationsDo not deduct the cost of doing business from the shelter expenseof a FAP group with rental income.Property Taxes,Assessments andInsuranceProperty taxes, state and local assessments and insurance on thestructure are allowable expenses. Do not allow insurance costs forthe contents of the structure, for example, furniture, clothing andpersonal belongings.Allow the entire insurance charge for structure and contents whenthe amount for the structure cannot be determined separately.Renter’s insurance is not allowed.Home RepairExpensesAllow charges for repair of a home which was substantially damaged or destroyed due to a natural disaster such as fire or flood.Note: Do not allow any portion of an expense that has been or willbe reimbursed by any source.VerificationIf considered questionable, verify shelter expenses at applicationand when a change is reported. If the client fails to verify a reportedchange in shelter, which is considered to be questionable, removethe old expense until the new expense is verified.If questionable, verify the expense and the amount for housingexpenses, property taxes, assessments, insurance and homerepairs.Note: Adult Foster Care Homes (AFC), Center for SubstanceAbuse Services (CSAS) and CMH/MDHHS Supported CommunityLiving Facilities still require verification.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 55416 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022VerificationSourcesAcceptable verification sources include, but are not limited to: Mortgage, rental or condo maintenance fees contracts or astatement from the landlord, bank or mortgage company. Copy of tax, insurance, assessment bills or a collateral contactwith the appropriate government or insurance office. Cancelled checks, receipts or money order copies, if current.The receipt must contain minimum information to identify theexpense, the amount of the expense, the expense address ifverifying shelter, the provider of the service and the name ofthe person paying the expense. MDHHS-3688, Shelter Verification form. A copy of this form willbe sent to the FAP group and a task and reminder sent to thespecialist when a change of address is done in Bridges. Thedue date will be on the form. The specialist must monitor forreturn of the form and take appropriate action if it is or is notreturned. Current lease.MANDATORY HEATAND UTILITYSTANDARDSThe heat/utility (h/u) standard covers all heat and utility costsincluding cooling, except actual utility expenses, for example,installation fees etc.; see Actual Utilities in this item. Do not proratethe h/u standard even if the heating/cooling expense is shared.FAP groups that qualify for the h/u standard do not receive anyother individual utility standards. Do not require verification, unlessquestionable of the other utility standards if the household isalready eligible for the h/u standard.Note: FAP groups whose heat is included in their rent may stillqualify for the h/u standard. Some additional ways include but arenot limited to, receipt of the Home Heating Credit (HHC) or a LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Payment (LIHEAP). The amountof either payment must be greater than 20 in the month ofapplication or in the immediately preceding 12 months prior to theapplication month.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 55417 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022Heating Separatefrom HousingCostsA FAP group which has a heating expense or contributes to theheating expense separate from rent, mortgage orcondominium/maintenance payments must use the h/u standard.Note: Effective August 1, 2017, FAP groups that receive a 20.01LIHEAP payment by having a shelter expense greater than zero,are not homeless (based on the head of Household LivingArrangement) and do not meet any other eligibility factors toreceive the h/u standard, will receive the h/u standard because ofthe 20.01 LIHEAP payment.Heat VerificationIf questionable, verify heating separate from housing costs atapplication or when a change is reported.Exception: For groups that have verified that they own or arepurchasing the home that they occupy, verify the heat obligationonly if questionable.Heat Verification SourcesIf questionable, acceptable verification sources include, but are notlimited to: Current bills or a written statement from the provider forheating/cooling expenses. Collateral contact with the landlord or the heating/coolingprovider. Cancelled checks, receipts or money order copies, if current.The receipt must contain minimum information to identify theexpense, the amount of the expense, the expense address, theprovider of the service and the name of the person paying theexpense. MDHHS-3688, Shelter Verification. Current lease.BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUALSTATE OF MICHIGANDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
BEM 55418 of 34FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ANDEXPENSE BUDGETINGBPB 2022-0011-1-2022Cooling Separatefrom HousingCostsFAP groups who pay for cooling (including room air conditioners)are eligible for the h/u standard if, they have the responsibility topay for non-heat electric.Note: Effective August 1, 2017, FAP groups that receive a 20.01LIHEAP payment by having a shelter expense greater than zero,are not homeless (b
BEM 554 1 of 34 FAP ALLOWABLE EXPENSES AND EXPENSE BUDGETING BPB 2022-001 1-1-2022 BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN . Bridges uses certain expenses to determine net income for FAP eli-gibility and benefit levels. For groups with no senior/disabled/disabled veteran (SDV) member, Bridges uses the following: Dependent care .
