LOCAL

Michigan to issue food assistance benefits early for March, April

Lansing State Journal

LANSING — If you receive food assistance benefits, you'll likely get them early in both March and April.

Michigan normally distributes food assistance benefits over a three-week period each month.

But the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will issue all benefits for next month between March 3 and 5 and will issue April benefits during the first two weeks of the month before returning to its regular distribution schedule in May.

That may be around the normal time for some recipients but will be early for many.

February benefits were issued early, in some cases as early as Jan. 17, as officials worked with the federal government to make sure the 1.2 million people in Michigan who depend on food assistance could receive their benefits despite the partial government shutdown, which has since ended.

Officials are issuing benefits early again so that people don't have to go a month or longer without receiving money on their Bridge Card.

"MDHHS wants to make sure that families and individuals can put food on their tables," Terrence Beurer, a deputy director with the department, said in a Friday press release. "We were concerned about families having to go 45 to 60 days or more without benefits as a result of the early issuance of February benefits."

Issuing benefits on an alternate schedule until May "cushions the impact of the federal government shutdown," Beurer said.

People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance via the telephone number or web address on the back of their Bridge Card or by accessing their account on the state website.

If there's another shutdown, can the state give food stamps to nearly 22,600 Lansing area families?

Contact reporter Megan Banta at (517) 377-1261 or mbanta@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1

When to expect food assistance benefits

March: March 3, 4 and 5

April: April 3 through 12

May: Normal schedule