All Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits are to receive an additional monthly payment this month in response to the pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced.
Eligible people can expect to see these additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card now through Sept. 28. More benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month, according to a press release issued by MDHHS.
All households eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are to receive an increase of at least $95 monthly, even if they are already receiving the maximum payment or are close to that amount. Households that received over $95 to bring them to the maximum payment for their group size will continue to receive that larger amount.
Below are the maximum allowable benefits for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program customers based on their respective household size:
• One person: $234
• Two persons: $430
• Three persons: $616
• Four persons: $782
• Five persons: $929
• Six persons: $1,114
• Seven persons: $1,232
• Eight persons: $1,408
In April 2020, some Michigan residents began receiving additional food assistance after the pandemic began.
In May 2021, all eligible households began getting extra monthly benefits from the MDHHS.
“MDHHS remains committed to continuing to help families affected by the pandemic put food on the table,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel in a statement. “Addressing food insecurity is one of the department’s top priorities and becomes even more important during a pandemic.”
Additionally, the federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914.
They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.
