Michigan decided to give extra benefits to people who receive food assistance, also called SNAP benefits. The state started this temporary program in April 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These extra benefits will continue every month through June 2023. The amount of extra benefits a person receives depends on the size of their household. For example, a household of one person could receive an extra $95 per month, while a household of four could receive an extra $365 per month. To qualify, people must be enrolled in the SNAP program and meet certain income and asset limits. The goal of this program is to help people afford food during the pandemic.
Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) Benefits
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been providing emergency monthly food benefits to families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. The program, known as Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT), was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is available in Michigan.
Who is eligible for P-EBT benefits in Michigan?
- Children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals
- Children who attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP)
- Children who are enrolled in a Head Start program or a private school that participates in the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
How much are the P-EBT benefits?
The amount of P-EBT benefits that a child receives depends on the number of days that the child was eligible for free or reduced-price school meals during the pandemic. The benefits are provided in monthly payments, and the amount per child is as follows:
| School Year | Benefit Amount per Child |
|---|---|
| 2020-2021 | $121 per month |
| 2021-2022 | $171 per month |
Note: The P-EBT program is expected to continue for the 2022-2023 school year, but the benefit amounts have not yet been determined.
How can I apply for P-EBT benefits in Michigan?
You do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits. If your child is eligible, you will receive a P-EBT card in the mail. The card can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
What can I buy with P-EBT benefits?
You can use P-EBT benefits to purchase any food item that is eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. This includes:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Bread and cereal
- Snacks
- Non-alcoholic beverages
You cannot use P-EBT benefits to purchase alcohol, tobacco, or hot foods.
Michigan’s Extra Food Stamps: Understanding Emergency Allotments
In response to the economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government authorized the issuance of emergency food allotments (EFA) within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The state of Michigan fully utilized this provision and provided extra food assistance to eligible individuals and families.
How Much Extra Food Stamps Did Michigan Provide?
- The EFA program in Michigan provided a temporary increase in SNAP benefits.
- Most SNAP households received the maximum benefit for their household size.
- The extra allotments varied depending on household size.
When Were the Emergency Food Allotments Provided?
- Michigan provided EFA benefits from January 2021 through February 2023.
- The program ended in February 2023 due to a change in federal policy.
Who Was Eligible for the Emergency Food Allotments in Michigan?
- EFA benefits were available to all eligible SNAP households in Michigan.
- No additional application or action was needed to receive the extra benefits.
- Households already enrolled in SNAP automatically received the increased benefits.
Additional Information
For more information on emergency food allotments in Michigan, you can visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) website or contact your local MDHHS office.
| Household Size | Extra Food Stamp Allotment (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $95 |
| 2 people | $190 |
| 3 people | $285 |
| 4 people | $380 |
| 5 people | $475 |
| 6 people | $570 |
| 7 people | $665 |
| 8 people | $760 |
Michigan’s P-EBT Funds Distribution
Families in Michigan may be eligible for extra food assistance through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. This program provides funds to families with children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school. The funds can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
P-EBT Funds Distribution Schedule
- February 2023: P-EBT cards were mailed to eligible families.
- March 2023: Remaining P-EBT cards were mailed to eligible families.
- April 2023: Families can expect to receive a second round of P-EBT benefits.
- May 2023: Families can expect to receive a third and final round of P-EBT benefits.
The amount of P-EBT benefits a family receives depends on the number of children in the household and the number of days that schools were closed during the pandemic.
How to Use P-EBT Funds
- P-EBT cards can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
- Authorized retailers include grocery stores, farmers markets, and some convenience stores.
- P-EBT cards cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, or other non-food items.
Check P-EBT Card Balance
- Visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) website.
- Click on the “P-EBT” link.
- Enter your P-EBT card number and PIN.
- Click on the “Submit” button.
You can also check your P-EBT card balance by calling the MDHHS customer service line at 888-678-8914.
| Number of Children | Benefit Amount | Distribution Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $325 | February 2023 |
| 2 | $650 | February 2023 |
| 3 | $975 | February 2023 |
| 4 | $1,300 | February 2023 |
| 5+ | $1,625 | February 2023 |
For more information about the P-EBT program, visit the MDHHS website or call the MDHHS customer service line.
Michigan’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Expansion
Michigan has expanded its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to provide additional food benefits to eligible households. The expansion includes a temporary increase in benefits and a simplified application process.
Eligibility for Additional Food Stamps
To be eligible for the additional food stamps, households must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Michigan resident.
- Have a gross income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
- Have a net income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.
- Have assets at or below $2,500 for a single person household or $4,000 for a household with more than one person.
Households that are already receiving SNAP benefits will automatically receive the additional benefits. Households that are not currently receiving SNAP benefits can apply online or by mail.
Benefits
The additional food stamps will provide households with an extra $95 per month for a single person household and $194 per month for a household with four people. The benefits will be provided for a period of six months.
Application Process
The application process for the additional food stamps has been simplified. Households can apply online or by mail. The online application is available at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) website. The mail-in application is available at MDHHS offices.
Additional Resources
For more information about the additional food stamps, households can visit the MDHHS website or call the MDHHS customer service line at 1-888-678-8914.
| Household Size | Gross Income Limit | Net Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,771 | $1,340 |
| 2 | $2,388 | $1,809 |
| 3 | $2,992 | $2,278 |
| 4 | $3,596 | $2,747 |
| 5 | $4,200 | $3,216 |
| 6 | $4,804 | $3,685 |
| 7 | $5,408 | $4,154 |
| 8 | $6,012 | $4,623 |
Hey folks, that’s all we have for you today on the topic of extra food stamps in Michigan. We know it’s a hot topic, and we appreciate you joining us for the discussion. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always happy to chat about ways to help Michiganders put food on the table.
In the meantime, be sure to check back soon for more updates on this and other important topics. We’ve got a lot of great content coming your way, so you won’t want to miss it. Thanks again for reading, and we’ll see you next time!