Great Lakes Wire

Nearly 900,000 Michigan children will receive food assistance benefits this summer through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) new Michigan Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program. Eligible families will soon receive $120 per child to help ensure access to healthy food while school is out.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service has approved Michigan’s plan for the Summer EBT program, which aims to support low-income families during the summer months. Created by the U.S. Congress, the program builds on similar efforts used during the coronavirus pandemic to address student food insecurity. MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) are collaborating to distribute these benefits statewide ahead of the Friday, July 19 start date cited in the state’s plan.

“Summer should be a time when children can learn, grow and play without worrying about where their next meal will come from,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow(D-MI). “I’m so proud that the Governor and the State Legislature have acted to make sure every Michigan child has access to healthy meals during the school year. My legislative victory is focused on making sure children have the same access to healthy meals in the summer regardless of where they live in Michigan. This is bringing us one step closer to ending childhood hunger.”

“Many Michigan children rely on breakfast and lunch provided at their school during the school year and we want to make sure they do not go hungry this summer while schools are on break,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The Summer EBT program increases family’s grocery-buying budgets and we are thrilled to get this funding out earlier than planned. We plan to get these benefits out even earlier next year.”

Benefits will come in the form of EBT cards that families can use for groceries. Families with an existing Bridge card will receive a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child added to their card. Those without a card will be sent a pre-loaded card by mail along with a letter about the program.

“Providing nutritious meals to Michigan children – during the school year and during the summer – helps meet Goal 3 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, to improve health, safety, and wellness for all learners,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “We need to support children nutritionally in the summer as we do in the school year, and this partnership with USDA and MDHHS helps children and families.”

Most eligible families will automatically receive these benefits due to state agencies identifying qualifying participants based on their involvement in other benefit programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or free/reduced-price meal programs at schools.

Eligibility criteria for Summer EBT include:

- Household participants between ages 6-18 receiving Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations or Medical Assistance households at or below 185% of federal poverty level.

- Students certified as eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch through National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.

- Approval through Summer EBT application process.

Additional programs like MDE's Summer Food Service Program also aim to feed children during summer months.

For more information, visit the Summer EBT page on MDHHS website.