General assistance; eligibility of applicant; determination; failure of employable person to participate in approved project or to accept employment.
MCL 400.55a
in effect400.55a. General assistance; eligibility of applicant; determination; failure of employable person to participate in approved project or to accept employment.
Sec. 55a.
(1) In determining the eligibility of an applicant for general assistance, and before granting the assistance, except temporary assistance pending disposition of the case, the county and district departments of social services shall conform to the following:
(a) Require each applicant entitled to alimony or separate maintenance to seek the assistance of the friend of the court.
(b) Clear with the proper legal authorities the case of an applicant who is deserted by his or her spouse to determine the advisability of legal action to obtain support.
(c) If it is indicated that eligibility for benefits from other programs such as unemployment compensation, old-age and survivors insurance benefits, federal veterans' benefits, aid to families with dependent children, or supplemental security income exists, secure a clearance in writing with each appropriate agency.
(d) Require an employable person to work on a work relief or work training project, or other departmental-approved activity, if available, in return for assistance given. A person participating in a work relief or work training project shall be entitled to the benefits provided by Act No. 317 of the Public Acts of 1969, as amended, being sections 418.101 to 418.941 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. All work relief or work training projects or other departmental-approved activities authorized by this section shall be subject to all of the following conditions:
(i) Any person required to work on an approved project or activity, upon claiming to be physically incapable to work when so assigned, shall be given a thorough medical examination by competent medical authorities to ascertain his or her ability to participate in the required project or activity.
(ii) Each person assigned to an approved project or activity may be required to register for employment with the Michigan employment security commission, if the service is available, and to investigate all bona fide employment opportunities.
(e) Determine that each employable applicant, mentally and physically able to work, is not currently refusing to accept available employment for which wages not less than the usual rate paid by that employer for the particular kind of employment are being offered.
(2) Any employable person who, without good cause, fails to participate in an approved project or activity or to accept available lawful employment for which wages, not less than the usual rate paid by that employer for that particular kind of employment are being offered, shall have his or her needs removed from the general assistance grant and shall not be eligible for general assistance for 3 months.
Add. 1951, Act 128, Eff. Sept. 28, 1951; Am. 1964, Act 148, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964; Am. 1965, Act 401, Imd. Eff. Oct. 27, 1965; Am. 1980, Act 251, Eff. Dec. 12, 1980
[Compiler] Former MCL 400.55a, deriving from Act 20 of 1950, Ex. Sess., and pertaining to eligibility of applicants for general public relief, was held invalid in Op. Atty. Gen. 1951-1952, No. 1367.
[PopularName] Act 280
Source: Michigan Legislature (legislature.mi.gov)URL: https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-400-55aFetched: 10/20/2026