Great Lakes Wire

Michigan recently decided to invest in families.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) announced Nov. 15 families in the state who received food benefits will receive an extra $95 in November, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“This extra $95 will help families get a little breathing room as we enter the holiday season,” Whitmer said. “I will continue to work with anyone at the federal and state level to help Michiganders put food on the table and keep their hard-earned dollars to pay for other critical household expenses.”

The move is expected to aid 1.3 million residents, the release stated.

Food assistance for residents began in April 2020 with all eligible households getting a monthly boost in May 2021. Federal approval is required for the additional payments every month, according to the release. 

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, spearheaded the effort for the federal government to aid funding food relief through House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

All households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will get $95 more each month moving forward, the release stated. Families who received over $95 will likely continue receiving larger payments.

Supplemental nutrition assistance benefits range from $281 for one person and up to $1,691 for a family of eight.