Generally adult members of food assistance households must follow certain work-related rules.  In order to receive FAP benefits, with some exceptions, you must comply with the following rules:

Adults who are already working may not:

• Voluntarily quit a job of 30 hours or more per week.
• Voluntarily reduce hours of employment below 30 hours per week.
• Be fired from a job for misconduct or absenteeism.

Note: If the job quit, reduction in hours or firing occurred more than 30 days prior to the application date, no penalty applies.

Adults who are not working or are working less than 30 hours per week must:

• Accept a bona-fide offer of employment
• Participate in employment-related activities that are required of an individual in order to receive unemployment compensation.

Some adults meeting certain criteria may be temporarily deferred from employment requirements.  Examples of this criteria include:

• Age (under age 16 or age 60 or over)
• Caring for a child under 6 years of age
• Caring for a disabled household member
• Incapacitated due to injury, physical illness or mental illness
• Approved education
• Employment of at least 30 hours a week

• Pregnancy (beginning the sixth month unless there are complications) 

• Substance Abuse Treatment Center Participant
• Unemployment Compensation Applicant or Recipient (You must follow work requirements for receiving unemployment compensation.

Time-Limited Food Assistance

Employable adults between the ages of 18 and 50, with no minor children, might be eligible for FAP benefits only for a limited period of time. To be eligible for more than 3 months of benefits within a period of 36 months, such persons must:

• Be deferred from work requirements
• Work at least 80 hours a month
• Participate in an employment and training program at the Michigan Works!^TM Agency for at least 80 hours a month
• Participate in a Workfare program at the Michigan Works! Agency (the number of hours will be based on the amount of the FAP benefits)
• Volunteer for Community Services activities with a non-profit organization (the number of hours will be based on the amount of the FAP benefits)

Only a Family Independence Specialist at DHS can accurately determine your family's eligibility for FAP. Ask for details when turning in a completed application application at your local DHS County Office.