LANSING — Michigan policymakers took several actions Thursday in response to federal food benefits expiring on Nov. 1 — but it won’t be enough to keep the SNAP program funded through the weekend.
More than 1.4 million Michigan residents receive SNAP benefits, including close to half a million children.
Gov. Whitmer announced Thursday that the state would give $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan, which will be distributed around the state.
Rep. John Roth says that the funding will support food pantries for about two weeks — but it remains far short of the nearly quarter billion dollars that the Michigan SNAP program costs monthly.
“I think this is a big help. I think this is the best way to immediately help those in need,” said Roth, (R) District 104, Interlochen. “There’s no way we can backfill every single SNAP beneficiary in the state of Michigan, so this is the fastest way to get assistance out to those folks in need.”
State lawmakers took partial action Thursday, but they adjourned before any policies could be passed to keep the SNAP program running through the weekend.
The state Senate approved a plan for $70 million in emergency funding — $50 million would go to direct payments for households in need, and $10 million each would go to food bank assistance and produce purchases.
But the House won’t be able to vote on the bill until Tuesday at earliest.
Benefits could also be made available due to a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Officials from Michigan and two dozen other states sued the Trump administration with the goal of releasing up to $6 billion in contingency funds previously passed by Congress.
“Our suit demands that the Trump administration utilize the contingency emergency funds that Congress has appropriated to ensure SNAP benefits are not interrupted,” Nessel said Wednesday.
Nessel and her office argue that the administration is required to release those funds, a fact that was apparently acknowledged just before the shutdown.
“Up until earlier this year, it was very clear from USDA’s own policy that they would take these actions to move money around to make sure SNAP benefits could continue,” said Nick Giovanatti, an assistant attorney general.
A Sept. 30 document from the USDA says that the “…multi-year contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits in the event that a lapse occurs in the middle of the fiscal year.”
The department also acknowledged that “…Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue…”
But that document is no longer publicly accessible, and the USDA now argues that the contingency funds can only be used for emergencies like natural disasters.
“This is just a very recent change that the federal government has made — a decision to stop federal SNAP benefits, even though the contingency funds are available,” Giovanatti said.
Those looking for food resources can visit MDHHS’s resource page, call the 211 help-line or check the Food Bank Council of Michigan for nearby offerings.
