Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the Michigan Poverty Task Force 2026 Report on Wednesday, laying out a new slate of policy recommendations aimed at lifting residents out of poverty and expanding economic opportunity across the state.

The report carries direct implications for Saginaw and other Michigan communities where nearly 40 percent of residents live at or below the threshold needed to cover basic expenses, according to United Way's ALICE data.

"The Poverty Task Force's latest recommendations will help Michigan continue our bold progress to reduce poverty, expand economic opportunity and help more families achieve long-term stability," Whitmer said. "Addressing poverty head on is critical to building stronger communities, improving health and educational outcomes, supporting workforce participation and ensuring every Michigander has the opportunity to thrive."

Seven TANF Reform Recommendations From University of Kansas Study

The report includes seven specific recommendations drawn from the Anti-Poverty Strategies Report, a mixed-methods analysis of Michigan's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program conducted by the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research.

The recommendations call for:

  • Eliminating full-family sanctions and lifetime bans to create a more stable safety net for children
  • Reducing requirements that exceed federal standards and allowing more time for compliance
  • Continuing collaboration with local and statewide partnerships on housing, homelessness prevention, and mental health services for Family Independence Program clients
  • Investing in evidence-based barrier-removal activities such as on-the-job training with flexible timelines for education and training goals
  • Hiring more Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) staff to allow more time for case processing, interviewing, and trust-building
  • Prioritizing families under 200 percent of the federal poverty level for all TANF-funded programming
  • Creating a housing-assistance supplemental grant on top of cash assistance

"Investing in people and removing barriers to opportunity is helping Michigan create a more equitable and prosperous future for families across the state," said Kim Trent, deputy director for prosperity at the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). "While there is much work that lies ahead, this report offers state government solid strategies to help financially struggling families in Michigan thrive."

The ALICE Gap: 1 in 4 Households Above Poverty Line Still Cannot Afford Basics

The report highlights a gap that affects working families across Michigan. According to United Way's ALICE data, a Michigan family of four with two adults and two children in childcare needed $78,216 annually in 2024 to cover basic expenses.

About 40 percent of Michigan residents live at or below that threshold. Of those households, 26 percent earn more than the federal poverty level but still cannot afford necessities.

"One in four Michigan households earn above the poverty line, but don't make enough to cover the basics," said Kaitlynn Lamie, president and CEO of the Michigan Association of United Ways. "When Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Poverty Task Force chose to include these Michiganders in their mission, they took a historic step and raised the bar for financial survival in our state. When ALICE thrives, our economy and communities thrive, too."

Rx Kids Expanding to Nearly 100,000 Babies Statewide

The report also tracks progress on programs already underway. Rx Kids, the nation's first community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program, is expanding to reach nearly 100,000 babies across Michigan, covering approximately one-third of all births statewide.

Originally launched in Flint in 2024, the program provides expectant mothers with a one-time $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 per month for their baby's first six to 12 months of life. The state has invested $270 million in the program.

School Meals and Energy Access Included in Poverty Strategy

The FY26 state budget includes dedicated funding to continue providing free school meals to all public-school students, an investment of $10,050 per pupil, according to the report.

In December 2024, Whitmer signed a package of bills aimed at reducing energy costs and expanding access to assistance programs. The report notes these changes are especially critical for ALICE households that struggle with rising utility costs.

The Center for Data and Analytics within the Department of Technology, Management and Budget is leading efforts to enhance cross-departmental data sharing and collaboration, according to the report. The center is working with state agencies to build infrastructure for evidence-based decision-making.

The full 2026 Poverty Task Force Report is available at michigan.gov/PovertyTaskForce.