Impact of Proposed SNAP Rule Changes in Michigan
Almost 150,000 Michigan residents would lose food assistance and free school lunches if a proposed federal rule comes to fruition, state officials warn.
Families, senior citizens, and people with disabilities are most likely to be affected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, according to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton.
“We’re very concerned about it,” he said.
Understanding the Proposed Changes
USDA officials have proposed strengthening the eligibility requirements for SNAP, which would effectively limit the number of Americans who receive help paying for groceries.
Currently, families who receive any kind of cash or non-cash assistance are automatically eligible for SNAP benefits.
The USDA’s proposal would:
- Limit food assistance to families receiving only “substantial, ongoing” assistance from other programs.
- Require that assistance be at least $50 a month for at least six months.
- Reduce the number of programs that qualify someone for automatic enrollment in SNAP.
Potential Consequences for Michigan Families
These changes mean:
- Some people will no longer be eligible for food stamps.
- Others will have to file additional paperwork to receive benefits.
Bob Wheaton emphasized:
“These are people who, in other areas, have demonstrated a need for assistance and it’s extended to food assistance,” he said.
“It gives us an opportunity to help more people put food on the table and cut through some of the bureaucratic red tape that can be time-consuming not only for our workers but for people who are applying for assistance.”
Those families may have to turn to community food banks instead.
USDA’s Perspective
The USDA argues that their plan would save taxpayers billions of dollars. They describe it as “closing a loophole” that currently allows families who aren’t eligible for food assistance to enroll in the program.
Department officials claim that some states allowed families to sign up for food assistance without checking eligibility properly.
Legal Help: Michigan SNAP Violations Attorney
If you are facing issues with your SNAP benefits, it is crucial to seek legal advice.
To learn more, visit our SNAP Violation Attorney website.