LANSING, Michigan (WLUC) – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that all Michigan families eligible for food assistance benefits will continue to receive at least one additional monthly payment of $95 in October – plus an additional increase in the cost of living – to help lower the cost of groceries and ensure Michigan residents can keep more of their hard-earned money. The additional assistance will help more than 1.3 million Michiganders in more than 700,000 households.
“October’s additional food aid will continue to help more than 1.3 million Michigan residents put food on the table,” Governor Whitmer said. “The additional $95 monthly payment lowers grocery bills and frees up more of a household’s hard-earned cash for other essentials: utility bills, gas, and winter coats.” Let’s continue to work together to put money back in people’s pockets and ensure that our federal tax dollars are sent back to Michigan and spent in our communities.
October food aid payments will also reflect increases in the cost of living for fiscal year 2023, which begins this month.
In April 2020, some Michigan residents began receiving supplemental food assistance through this program. In May 2021, all eligible households began receiving additional monthly allowances. Federal approval is required monthly.
Eligible customers who receive food assistance received the additional benefits on their Bridge card from October 15-24. These benefits are loaded onto the Bridge cards as a separate payment from the assistance provided earlier in the month.
All households eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) receive an increase of at least $95 per month, even if they are already receiving the maximum payment or are close to that amount. Households that received more than $95 to reach the maximum payment for their party size will continue to receive that higher amount.
Meijer will offer product discounts to SNAP customers
In addition to the added perks, Midwest retailer Meijer recently announced that it will begin offering special fruit and vegetable discounts to its SNAP customers. The incentives apply to all Meijer Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Express locations, and will remain in effect for one year. The first promotional period will run from October 2 to 31 and will offer 10% off fresh fruits and vegetables. Additionally, Meijer will provide coupons to its SNAP customers to receive similar discounts on future purchases of qualifying products.
Below are the maximum benefits allowed for SNAP customers based on their respective household size:
One person: $281 (an increase from $250)
Two people: $516 (an increase from $459)
Three people: $740 (an increase from $658)
Four people: $939 (an increase from $835)
Five people: $1,116 (an increase from $992)
Six people: $1,339 (an increase from $1,190
Seven people: $1,480 (an increase from $1,316)
Eight people: $1,691 (an increase from $1,504
Secured by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow as chair of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, the federal government provides additional funding to states for food aid under House Resolution 6201, the Agriculture Act. coronavirus response for families.
Eligible families do not need to reapply to receive additional benefits. People receiving food assistance can check their benefit balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or by calling a customer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914 . They can ask about additional benefits by calling or emailing their case worker.
Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Service in Spanish and Arabic is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or hard of hearing, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.
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