SNAP benefits set to halt in November for some Michigan residents

About 1.4 million Michigan residents might see their meals help advantages lower off in November if the federal authorities shutdown continues.

The U.S. Division of Agriculture has notified Michigan and different states that it plans to droop meals help funds below the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (SNAP) after November 1.

Here is what you want to know:

What’s SNAP?

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that gives advantages to low-income households to assist pay for meals. This system is taken into account the largest anti-hunger program in the country. From Might 2025 Had SNAP practically 42 million members nationwide. In Michigan, about 13% of households obtain this profit. Most people This system contains kids, the aged and other people with disabilities.

Greater than a 3rd of Michigan’s SNAP households are made up of older adults, whereas practically half are made up of youngsters. According to MDHHS492,225 kids profit from meals support. In fiscal yr 2024, the common Michigan family receiving SNAP advantages obtained roughly $335 monthly, which equates to $173 per individual monthly, or $5.68 for every individual per day. Greater than that in enterprise phrases 9,700 retailers settle for SNAP to allow them to redeem greater than $3.6 billion in 2023 alone.

Your eligibility for SNAP advantages relies on income, expenses and assets and the size of the household. The advantages are administered by the federal authorities, however states decide eligibility and supply advantages. The meals help advantages are offered by means of digital profit switch, or EBT, playing cards that enable individuals to buy meals supermarkets and other retailers.

Why are SNAP advantages being interrupted?

The The state has received notice from the federal government that there could also be a delay in SNAP advantages subsequent month as a result of federal authorities shutdown, nearly a month if nothing adjustments.

The federal authorities has been shut down since funding expired at midnight on October 1. Republicans have mentioned they need a short-term funding deal; Democrats say they need Congress to increase well being care subsidies, which expire Dec. 31, for plans below the Inexpensive Care Act. With out that extension, premiums for these plans will enhance.

When will the profit cease and for the way lengthy?

MDHHS mentioned in an Oct. 23 information launch that the federal authorities directed the Division of State to “maintain the November SNAP issuance and ongoing advantages till additional discover.” A banner on the USDA web site reads: “No advantages will probably be offered at the moment on November 1.”

In a single Frequently asked questions about the breakMDHHS mentioned the delay is anticipated to solely have an effect on November advantages and that the division is monitoring the state of affairs.

What concerning the present advantages?

In response to MDHHS, individuals can nonetheless use present SNAP advantages on EBT playing cards from earlier months.

What occurs to November advantages when the shutdown ends?

In the frequently asked questionsmentioned the Division of Well being and Human Companies as soon as the federal authorities “notifies MDHHS that we’re legally permitted to launch November SNAP advantages, they are going to be loaded onto recipients’ EBT playing cards.”

Is Michigan nonetheless processing SNAP redeterminations?

Sure, MDHHS said on its web site that its specialists proceed to course of rescheduling and case adjustments.

Is not there an emergency fund to pay for SNAP?

There may be funding appropriated in earlier years by means of federal appropriations acts, which is believed to whole roughly $6 billion. Democrats and their allies say cash can be utilized — and could also be legally required for use — to cowl SNAP advantages throughout a interval. That $6 billion would cowl lower than a month’s value of advantages. However the USDA says the precise reverse: that it may well legally use these funds to complement advantages solely when demand exceeds funding, with a federal allocation. Since the latest appropriations invoice expired on Oct. 1 — therefore the shutdown — USDA says it may well’t use the cash for that function. The company additionally says that when the federal government reopens, it will not be capable to reimburse the state if it pays for SNAP from its personal sources (though if Congress gave it the USDA cash and ordered it to reimburse states, it most likely would).

How can individuals get assist?

Meals banks: Go to to search out meals banks and different sources within the space www.fbcmich.org/foodbank-network; pantrynet.org; www.forgottenharvest.org/find-foodor name Michigan 211 line.

Doubling the acquisition of merchandise: The Honest Meals Community’s Double Up Meals Bucks program, which doubles fruit and vegetable purchases with meals help advantages of as much as $20 per day, has lifted the cap amid the looming pause of a federal program. Beforehand, clients might buy recent vegetables and fruit at collaborating places, for as much as $20 per day, and get matched greenback for greenback to double their buying energy. Now the match restrict is limitless. The Honest Meals Community has additionally lifted a 90-day restrict for buyers to make use of their Double Up Meals Bucks, that means there isn’t any expiration date. Moreover, clients can now use their Double Up Bucks to buy frozen vegetables and fruit with out added sugar, salt and oil. For extra details about the Double Up Meals Bucks program, go to doubleupfoodbucks.org. Name this system’s hotline at 866-586-2796 (9 a.m. to five p.m., Monday by means of Friday) with questions. Discover a collaborating location at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org/find-a-location.

Do you’ve gotten questions on SNAP advantages? Attain out.

Do you’ve gotten questions concerning the impending pause in SNAP advantages? If that’s the case, please e-mail Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepress.com. Reporters will attempt to get solutions and replace this story.

Contact reporter Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepress.com.