The 700,000 Michigan households that use Bridge Cards to buy groceries will be seeing another increase in their monthly benefits. Cards will be loaded with the additional money, a separate payment from the November payment, by November 23rd.
Some families have been receiving increases since April 2020. The money is automatically loaded onto the cards. No additional application for benefits is necessary.
The increase is at least $95 monthly, depending on family size. A family of four’s maximum food benefit is $835 per month on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The USDA estimates that a realistic budget for a family of four is around $892 per month.
Federal approval is needed for every month that the additional benefits are added. The added food security measures are funded by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
In announcing the approval of the monthly application, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that making life easier for Michigan families is her top priority.
Federally funded food benefits reach around 1.26 million individuals in Michigan.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
