Laura Blodgett Senior Deputy Director, Communications Administration | Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Website
Laura Blodgett Senior Deputy Director, Communications Administration | Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Website
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is distributing over $118 million in food benefits to 983,531 students through its new Michigan Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program.
“We want to ensure children are able to access healthy food this summer while school is out,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Eligible families are receiving $120 per child through this program to bolster their grocery buying budgets.”
Created by the U.S. Congress, the Summer EBT program is based on similar efforts used during the coronavirus pandemic to address food insecurity for students. MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) are collaborating to deliver these benefits to families statewide.
Benefits will be provided via EBT cards that families can use to purchase groceries. Families already possessing a Bridge card will receive a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child added to their existing card. Those without a card will receive a pre-loaded card in the mail along with a letter detailing the program.
A child qualifies for Summer EBT if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Household participants between ages 6 to 18 who receive Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations, or eligible Medical Assistance households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
- Students of any age certified as eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.
- Approved through the Summer EBT application process.
Meijer has announced an initiative that will further extend these food benefits by doubling a milk discount it offers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-eligible participants. The retailer is increasing its discount to 40% off any brand or size of 1% or fat-free milk in an effort to improve access to healthy foods and beverages.
Additional programs aimed at feeding children during the summer months include MDE-administered initiatives such as the Summer Food Service Program, known as Meet Up and Eat Up in Michigan, and the Rural Non-Congregate Summer Food Service Program.
For more information, visit the Summer EBT page on the MDHHS website.
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