MICHIGAN

Michigan Family Independence Program

Michigan’s Family Independence Program (FIP) provides temporary cash assistance to low-income families with minor children as well as pregnant women.

Participants must complete an initial 21-day PATH program to evaluate skills, connect to job resources, and follow work rules, like not refusing work without good cause.

Michigan has a 60 month lifetime limit for FIP assistance, with exceptions for disabilities, including your own or that of your child or spouse.

How much does Michigan pay for cash assistance?

In Michigan, TANF benefits vary by household size, income, and available resources. A family of three with no income may receive up to $583 per month.

How do I apply for FIP in Michigan?

Go to MI Bridges  where you can apply for cash assistance, check your eligibility status and manage your account online or apply in person at a local MDHHS office.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
MDHHS Assistance Line
(844) 464-3447

Michigan Food Assistance Program

Michigan’s Food Assistance Program helps low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities afford healthy, nutritious food.

Benefits are calculated based on the number of people in your household and the income, expenses, and assets for those in your household.

For example, in Michigan, a family of three may receive up to $808 per month with no income or about $508 per month if the family has a net monthly income of $1,000.

How do I sign up for food stamps in Michigan?

Requests can be made in person at the local MDHHS county office  or use MI Bridges  to apply for assistance, check your eligibility status and manage your account online.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
MDHHS Assistance Line
(844) 464-3447

Michigan Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Michigan WIC serves low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, including infants and children up to age 5 who are at health risk due to inadequate nutrition.

It provides monthly benefits for buying healthy foods to supplement their diet. Additional benefits include nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and social services.

Foods include, but are not limited to, infant cereals and baby foods, fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried and canned beans, canned fish, and tofu.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:

1. Live in Michigan.
2. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
3. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
4. Have a nutritional need or risk.

What is the income limit for WIC in Michigan?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC is available to Michigan families with a household income less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level.¹ That’s about $4,212 per month for a single mother of two.

How long do I get WIC in Michigan?

In Michigan, WIC benefits last for different lengths of time depending on who is receiving them:

• Pregnant women: through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth
• Breastfeeding women: up to 12 months after childbirth
• Non-breastfeeding postpartum women: up to 6 months after childbirth
• Infants: from birth until their first birthday
• Children: from age 1 until their 5th birthday

WIC is not automatic. Participants must recertify periodically to continue receiving benefits.

How much does WIC pay per month in Michigan?

In Michigan, children ages 1—4 receive $26 per month, while pregnant and postpartum women receive $47 per month, and breastfeeding women receive $52 per month.

How do I apply for WIC online in Michigan?

Michigan WIC cannot be applied online, you will need to request for a certification appointment from a local agency. Call 2-1-1 or your local WIC clinic  to find the nearest agency.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
(800) 942-8209

Healthy Michigan Plan

Healthy Michigan Plan is Michigan’s Medicaid expansion program. It covers essential health services, including medical, hospital, mental health, prescription, dental, and vision care.

Through the Healthy Michigan Plan, eligible adults ages 19–64 may qualify with household income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $3,142 per month for a family of three. Children and pregnant people may qualify under separate Medicaid categories with higher income limits.

Some services under the Healthy Michigan Plan may require a copayment. State rules exempt certain members and services, and managed care plans may waive copayments.

How do I apply for Michigan Medicaid?

If you think you might be eligible, apply today and see if you qualify. Choose from one of the following options to apply.

1. Apply online at MI Bridges 
2. Call the Michigan Health Care Helpline at (855) 789-5610
3. Visit your local Department of Human Services office

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Medicaid Eligibility & Enrollment
(844) 464-3447

MIChild

MIChild is Michigan’s health insurance program for children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance.

Unlike Healthy Kids which is free, most families pay a flat premium of $10 per month, regardless of how many children are enrolled. There are no co-pays in MIChild.

To qualify for MIChild, your children must:

1. Be under age 19
2. Live in Michigan, even for a short time
3. Be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant
4. Have a Social Security Number (or have applied for one)
5. Have no comprehensive health insurance, including Medicaid
6. Meet monthly family income limits

What does MIChild cover in Michigan?

MIChild covers a range of health care services, including:

• Doctor visits
• Immunizations
• Prescriptions
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Hospital care
• Mental health services

What is the income limit for MIChild in Michigan?

MIChild has a higher income limit than Healthy Kids, allowing children in families with incomes up to 217% of the federal poverty level (FPL) to qualify.

How do I sign up for MIChild?

Families may sign up for MIChild or Healthy Kids online through MI Bridges  or in-person at a local MDHHS office. There is no specific open enrollment period. Applications are accepted at any time during the year.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
MIChild / Healthy Kids
(888) 988-6300

Michigan Rx Kids Program

Michigan Rx Kids  program is a community-wide initiative providing unconditional cash payments to expecting mothers and infants in participating Michigan areas.

The program offers a one-time $1,500 payment during pregnancy (after 16 weeks) and $500 monthly for the first 6 to 12 months after birth, depending on the community.

In early 2026, this program expanded to several new communities across the state and is now available to all expectant mothers in Detroit, Saginaw County, Berrien County, Lake County, and Flint.

There are no income requirements or work mandates. If you are at least 16 weeks pregnant, you can apply online through the RxKids.org .

Michigan Rx Kids Program
(800) 232-4678

Michigan Child Development and Care Program

Michigan’s Child Development and Care (CDC) Program helps low-income families pay for child care. You choose your own provider, the state pays a portion of the cost, and you pay a monthly co-payment to the provider. Children who receive FIP/TANF, are in foster care, or are homeless or migrant have a $0 family contribution.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Michigan?

In Michigan, a family of three may qualify for child care assistance at application if its gross monthly income is about $4,553 or less (200% of the federal poverty level). At renewal, the family may continue receiving assistance until its income exceeds about $7,127 a month (85% of state median income).²

How do I apply for child care assistance in Michigan?

The fastest way to apply for CDC is online through the MDHHS website, MI Bridges . The application process takes around 45 days to complete.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Child Development and Care (CDC) Program
(855) 275-6424

MI Tri-Share

MI Tri-Share  splits the cost of licensed child care evenly between the employee, the employer, and the State of Michigan. Families with incomes between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty level qualify, and employers can extend the benefit to higher earners through MI Care-Share .

See the full Michigan child care guide for the household income table, how Tri-Share and Care-Share work, and the Facilitator Hub contact.

Michigan Head Start

Michigan Head Start is a national school readiness program that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services for low-income pre school children ages 3 to 5.

Early Head Start is open to children under 3 years old in low-income families, while children 3 to 5 years old participate in Head Start. Pregnant women may also be eligible for Early Head Start.

There are 90 Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Michigan. If you need help determining if your child is eligible, please call (517) 373-6472 to find a program near you.

Michigan Head Start Association
808 W Lake Lansing Rd
Suite 205, East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 374-6472

Michigan SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, helps families with school-aged children buy groceries when schools are closed for the summer as a supplement to summer meal sites.

Eligible families will receive a one-time lump sum benefit of $120 per eligible child over summer, covering the months of June, July, and August.

Most families will automatically get EBT benefits if they already receive other benefits like FAP, FIP or Medicaid with a qualifying family income.

To find out whether your child will be automatically enrolled or if you need to apply, use this eligibility checker .

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Summer EBT Helpline
(833) 905-0028

Michigan Free School Meals Program

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) are federally funded programs that assist schools and other agencies in providing nutritious meals at reasonable prices to children whose families meet income eligibility requirements.

Michigan is one of only eight states with a statewide free meal program, offering a free, nutritious breakfast and lunch to all students from Pre-K to 12 grade, regardless of income.

The program provides one breakfast and one lunch to each public school student at no cost when school is in session.

For the most current information, please contact
Michigan School Meals Program
(517) 241-5374

Michigan Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Michigan Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is currently closed to new applicants, including to those experiencing homelessness, due to a federal funding shortfall.

MSHDA administers approximately 29,000 Housing Choice Vouchers, a program also known as Section 8, that provides rent subsidies for very low income people who find their own housing in private homes and apartment buildings.

To be eligible, your gross income must not exceed the income limits for the county in which you live. If you are accepted into the program, the amount you pay for rent and utilities may vary, but generally your portion will not exceed 30% of your income.

Participants in the program may also qualify for other opportunities such as the Family Self-Sufficiency  and Key to Own Homeownership  programs.

How do I apply for Section 8 in Michigan?

Applications are only accepted for open waiting lists and are available online only ; no paper applications will be available or accepted. Preference will be given to those living or working in the county selected.

Michigan Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a federal grant given to each state to assist low-income families with energy costs. In Michigan, the LIHEAP grant is used for the following programs:

1. Michigan Energy Assistance Program
2. State Emergency Relief
3. Home Heating Credit
4. Weatherization Assistance Program

In Michigan, MEAP may serve households with income at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) for their household size. That’s about $5,031 per month for a family of three.

How to apply for LIHEAP in Michigan?

LIHEAP is administered on the county level and through non-profit organizations in Michigan. Please call 211 to be connected with your local LIHEAP administrator.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(517) 241-3740

Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)

Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) rovides tuition assistance for students who were eligible for Medicaid for at least 24 months before graduating high school. This is a vital resource for single mothers returning to school at a community college.

TIP provides assistance in two distinct stages:

Phase I (Associate Degree/Certificate)

Covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees (up to 80 credits ) at any participating Michigan community college or tribal college.

Phase II (Bachelor’s Degree)

After you earn an associate degree, certificate, or 56 transferable credits, TIP provides up to $500 per semester toward a four-year degree at a participating university.

How do I apply for Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) in Michigan?

To be considered, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply through the MiSSG Student Portal .

Only students who were identified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as eligible under Michigan Medicaid guidelines may be considered for TIP.

Michigan Department of Treasury
Student Aid Customer Care Center
(888) 447-2687

Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG)

The Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG) is no longer available to new applicants starting in the 2024—25 academic year in favor of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. For renewal or continuing eligibility, the FAFSA must be submitted by May 1 for the upcoming academic year.

Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG) provides need-based financial aid to eligible residents attending eligible private, non-profit colleges and universities in Michigan.

Awards may be applied only to tuition and mandatory fees, up to a maximum of $3,000 per academic year, subject to available funding.

Michigan Department of Treasury
Student Scholarships and Grants (SSG)
(888) 447-2687

Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Michigan Achievement Scholarship is a state-funded financial aid program launched to make college more affordable for Michigan high school graduates from the Class of 2023 and beyond.

The program offers up to $5,500 per year (up to $27,500 over five years) to attend a Michigan public university, or up to $4,000 per year for private colleges.

To be considered, students must be enrolled full-time at an eligible institution within 15 months of graduation and have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 30,000 or less.

There is no separate application. Students are automatically considered by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1.

Michigan Department of Treasury
Student Scholarships and Grants (SSG)
(888) 447-2687

Michigan Reconnect

Michigan Reconnect  provides last-dollar scholarships for residents aged 25 or older to earn an associate degree or skill certificate tuition-free at local in-district community colleges.

The scholarship specifically excludes certain non-tuition costs, such as:

• Textbooks and course materials.
• Housing and transportation.
• Application, graduation, or non-mandatory lab fees.

While it covers 100% of costs for in-district students, those attending out-of-district schools still receive a significant discount but must pay the difference.

Who is eligible for Michigan Reconnect?

Michigan Reconnect is available to students who:

• Are age 25 or older at the time of application
• Have lived in Michigan for at least one year
• Have a high school diploma, high school equivalency (GED), or certificate of completion
• Are enrolled in one of Michigan’s 28 public community colleges or three tribal colleges
• Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s)

How much does Michigan Reconnect pay for?

Reconnect is a last-dollar program, which means that any Pell grant funds you receive are applied to your tuition and fees bill first, with Reconnect paying what’s not covered by Pell.

Michigan Reconnect
Customer Care Center
(888) 447-2687

Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The EITC is a proven effective anti-poverty tool that rewards work and helps low-income families make ends meet. Benefits phase out at higher incomes, and more benefits go to families with children.

Michigan’s EITC provides a tax credit of up to $2,414. The amount you receive depends on several factors, including your income, filing status, and number of qualifying children.

The credit is refundable, meaning if your credit amount exceeds the taxes you owe, the difference will be issued to you as a refund.

How much is Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit?

Michigan’s EITC supplements the federal EITC with a state credit equal to 30% of the federal allocation, with families raising at least two children receiving a bigger benefit.

Can I get a refund if I owe no tax in Michigan?

If your Michigan EITC is $2,414 and you owe $1,000 in state income tax, the credit cancels your tax bill and you receive the remaining $1,414 as a refund as illustrated in the table below:

To claim both the federal and Michigan’s EITC, you must first file a tax return — even if you do not owe any tax or are not required to do so because you had too little income.

How do I claim the Michigan EITC?

To claim the credit, file your Michigan income tax return (Form MI-1040), entering your federal earned income credit and the Michigan credit calculated from it on the earned income credit lines.

Michigan Department of Treasury 
Individual Income Tax
(517) 636-4486