To Strengthen Michigan Families (TSMF)

TSMF was one of the demonstration projects made possible by Section 1115 waivers to the rules in effect at the time for the AFDC program. These Section 1115 waivers allowed states to test new approaches to advance the objectives of the AFDC program. TSMF consisted of 21 policy changes, enacted in two parts. The first set of policy changes included a social contract that participants were required to sign agreeing they would engage in employment, education, training, or other self-improvement activities for at least 20 hours per week. The first policy changes also expanded earnings disregards for cash assistance, loosened cash assistance eligibility restrictions related to work history and work hours for two-parent families, and exempted AFDC child earnings and savings from the eligibility and benefit amount determination. The second set of policy changes, implemented two years after the first changes, strengthened AFDC’s job search requirements by imposing higher financial sanctions for noncompliance, mandated immunizations for preschool-age children, and exempted the value of vehicles from the eligibility determination process. The second policy changes allowed deductions related to self-employment. Individuals were subject to TSMF policies for as long as they were receiving AFDC benefits. TSMF participants included families that began receiving cash assistance through Michigan’s AFDC or SFA programs beginning October 1, 1994. TSMF was implemented and evaluated in Kalamazoo County, MI; Madison Heights, MI; and two areas in Detroit, MI.