To continue to help with the high cost of groceries, all Michigan families eligible for food assistance again can expect extra help this month ahead of the holidays.
Michigan families receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, will receive at least $95 more in December, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Tuesday.
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Additional food assistance for eligible families will help more than 1.3 million Michiganders in more than 700,000 households, MDHHS said in a news release.
“This extra $95 will help Michiganders feed their families during the holiday season,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in the release. “I will continue to work with our partners at the federal and state levels so that residents can keep their hard-earned dollars to pay for other critical household expenses.”
As with previously extended benefits, the additional amount will automatically be loaded onto Bridge Cards. Benefits will be added through Dec. 24 and show as a separate payment from benefits already loaded on cards earlier this month. There is no need to reapply for the additional benefits, MDHHS says.
In October, those receiving food assistance benefits also received a cost of living increase.
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Food inflation has run at double digits since this time last year. Consumers have been paying more for grocery items such as staples like eggs and dairy.
In November, grocery costs rose 12% over the last 12 months according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monthly Consumer Price Index report released last Tuesday. The cost for cereals, bakery products, dairy and related dairy products are up more than 16% year-over-year. Eggs cost nearly 50% more than this time last year.
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In addition to the additional benefits, Meijer is offering discounts to SNAP customers on SNAP-qualifying produce items. To make the discount possible, which is 10% off fresh fruit and vegetables purchased in stores, Meijer received a waiver from the US Department of Agriculture. The discount will be offered to SNAP customers through Dec. 31.
The federal government is providing additional funding to those receiving SNAP benefits in response to COVID-19 under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Households, even if they are receiving the maximum payment or are close to, will receive the additional benefit, according to MDHHS.
People can check their Bridge Card balance online at michigan.gov/MIBridges or call 888-678-8914. The customer service line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish and Arabic services are available. For those who are deaf, deaf-blind or hard of hearing or speech-impaired can call the Michigan Relay Center at 711. For questions about the additional benefits, call or email your caseworker.
Here are the maximum benefits recipients will receive:
- One person: $281
- Two people: $516
- Three people: $740
- Four people: $939
- Five people: $1,116
- Six people: $1,339
- Seven people: $1,480
- Eight people: $1,691
Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.
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