LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced an increase in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) payments for Michigan residents.

The governor announced on Friday that the extra $95 payments would continue in October in addition to a cost-of-living increase.

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Michigan’s website for food assistance says their program is “temporary.” However, some of these payments started in 2020. In 2021, all eligible households started receiving them in order to help families dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic. The payments require federal approval every month as the money comes from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

The Food Security Council’s (FSC) final report from February 2022 says, “There is an interconnectedness between poverty, health and food insecurity. The social determinants include racial and ethnic inequality; health, age and disability status; and poverty, income and unemployment status. There is often a perpetual cycle of income
restriction, food insecurity and adverse health outcomes which is incredibly difficult to break independently and highlights the necessity of federal, state and charitable food food assistance programs. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges for those disparately vulnerable to food insecurity.”

According to the FSC, food insecurity is defined as being uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food due to insufficient money or resources. In addition to the extra payment Whitmer’s office announced that individuals and families will also receive a cost of living increase which amounts to an increase of $31 for one person, $57 for two people, $82 for three people, $104 for four people and the amount increases for the maximum allowable benefits for SNAP customers based on their respective household size.

Whitmer’s office announced that the extra money will help more than 700,000 households. She said, “October’s additional food assistance will continue to help over 1.3 million Michiganders put food on the table. The extra $95 payment lowers grocery bills and frees up more of a household hard-earned dollars for other essentials – utility
bills, gas and winter coats.”

The payments were added to Bridge cards October 15th through today. In addition to the extra payments, grocery retailer Meijer will be offering special discounts on fruits and vegetables for SNAP customers and will continue the discounts for a year with the first promotion running October 2nd through 31st with 10% off fresh fruits and vegetables. They will also offer coupons to SNAP customer to use in the future.

One of the recommendations of the FSC was in “increase funding for fresh and culturally appropriate food through local and regional programs.” SNAP benefits may be used for “any food for the household” according to the USDA.
That includes fruit and vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; dairy products; breads and cereals; seeds and plants; and other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages.

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SNAP cannot be used for beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, supplements, live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store), foods that are hot at the point of sale and any nonfood items such as pet foods, cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene items
and cosmetics.

In Michigan, there are many stores that accept SNAP payments online including ALDI, Amazon, Earth Fare, Garden Fresh Market, Meijer, Sam’s Club Scan and Go, Target, Walmart, Wesco and Whole Foods.