Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules
AGENCY REPORT TO THE
JOINT COMMITEE ON ADMNINISTRATIVE RULES (JCAR)
1. Agency Information
Agency name:
Health and Human Services
Division/Bureau/Office:
Economic Stability Administration
Name of person completing this form:
Mary Brennan
Phone number of person completing this form:
517-242-9634
E-mail of person completing this form:
Name of Department Regulatory Affairs Officer reviewing this form:
Mary Brennan
2. Rule Set Information
MOAHR assigned rule set number:
2021-88 HS
Title of proposed rule set:
State Disability Assistance Program
3. Purpose for the proposed rules and background:
The purpose of these rules is to set guidance for DHHS on how to process and determine eligibility
for the State Disability Assistance (SDA) Program. The changes intend to address the ability for both
applicants and recipients to choose either an in-house or telephone interview for benefits under Mich
Admin Code R 400.3155, regardless of whether it is a hardship on the applicant. The rules currently
address only in-person interviews. Because many of the recipients and applicants for benefits have
medical issues, transportation issues, or feel uncomfortable with the current COVID numbers, it may
not be feasible or safe for the Department nor the client to come into the MDHHS building to conduct
an in-person interview. The change will allow an alternative by telephone interviews for the public.
4. Summary of proposed rules:
The purpose of these rules is to set guidance for DHHS on how to process and determine eligibility
for the Family Independence and State Disability Assistance programs. DHHS seeks to amend the
current rules to add telephone interview, in addition to in-person interview, for application review.
These rules seek to improve client service by allowing a telephone interview in the event of the
recipient having medical issues, transportation issues, child care issues, or having to take leave from
his or her employment in order to complete the application process.
5. List names of newspapers in which the notice of public hearing was published and
publication dates:
MCL 24.242 and 24.245