For Immediate Release
Feb. 2, 2023
Contact:
Laura Millard Ross
lauramr@mlpp.org
517-281-1084
New report sounds alarm on Michigan’s historically underfunded cash assistance program amid inflation, price hikes
FIP cash assistance program does not cover basic costs of living, even for those in deep poverty
LANSING — Years of legislative neglect and harmful policies have caused a sharp decline in the number of Michigan families who can access cash assistance, according to a recent report by the Michigan League for Public Policy. In the report, Raise the Standard: Revitalize the Family Independence Program to Help More Michigan Families Reach Financial Stability, the League calls for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to raise the payment standard to at least $1,084, which would open the initial income eligibility to those who make 75% of the poverty line.
“Raising the cash assistance payment standard is long overdue–it hasn’t been increased since 2008. The maximum benefit a family of three can receive is $492 per month if they have no other income. This is not even enough to cover the basics. And right now we’re reaching crisis level as prices are sky high on groceries, cleaning supplies and other necessities. We know when faced with this kind of economic stress, people are forced to make risky tradeoffs. In order to cover rent and other expenses, they may have to heat their homes with kerosene heaters or skip taking medication. We need to act swiftly to help families in deep poverty make ends meet,” said Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy.
Cash assistance, called the Family Independence Program (FIP) in Michigan, is funded through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF. The federal money is given in a lump sum to Michigan, which then uses it not only for payments to families but for other things such as college financial aid and child protective services. The money allotted is set at approximately $775 million per year, and has not increased in the past 26 years, even though the cost of living has increased drastically.
“This report explains the context behind the drop from 229,000 families on cash assistance in 1993 to fewer than 12,000 families today—it is certainly not due to a rapid decline in poverty. FIP has failed families in Michigan because instead of prioritizing financial stability for people, the state has—especially since 2011—prioritized pushing families off assistance or prevented them from qualifying altogether. Policymakers are treating TANF as a cash cow, using federal funds that should be directed toward families that are truly in need to supplant spending that should be paid for from the state General Fund. One example is Michigan’s current use of TANF to pay 75% of the funding for college financial aid grants that mostly benefit middle-class and even affluent families,” said Stanton.
A family’s monthly income must be at 39% of the poverty line ($814 for a family of three) to initially receive assistance through the Family Independence Program. When a family’s monthly earnings reach 57% of the poverty line ($1,183) they will lose it.
“I first went on FIP when my daughter was born. She was premature and weighed only three pounds. I had to quit my job as a child care worker so that I could drive to the hospital in Kalamazoo to be with her every day. The cash assistance wasn’t enough to cover the cost of gas to get me there,” said Kenarda Rouse, a Benton Harbor resident and former recipient of FIP. Rouse also expressed concern that, with the strict lifetime limit of 48 months, she might not be able to access FIP if she again falls on hard times when she is older.
The League also recommends removing the asset test and drug felony ban for FIP recipients, as well as targeting TANF spending only to populations with low incomes.
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The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to use data to educate, advocate and fight for policy solutions that undo historic and systemic racial and economic inequities to lift up Michiganders who have been left out of prosperity. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
