On Friday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that increased funding for food assistance programs in Michigan would be maintained through October. This month, households who are qualified for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Electronic Benefits Transfer will be able to receive at least an extra $95 in financial assistance. The payments started to mitigate the negative impacts of the decline in employment caused by the COVID-19 epidemic.
Communities of Michigan
Now, in a statement, Whitmer stated that the payments are designed to address the growing cost of food and guarantee that federal tax funds are spent within the communities of Michigan.
According to Alex Canepa, associate director of policy at the Fair Food Network, inflation has made it more difficult for certain people living in Michigan to buy their food.
“What we are seeing today are broader movements in the entire economy, notably around the retail price of food,” which may put a strain on family budgets “if earnings do not grow in a similar amount, or if benefits do not adapt swiftly and nimbly to react to those higher costs.”
Plan In Action
The new funds didn’t start rolling in until 2021. It is contingent on receiving monthly permission from the federal government. Additionally, the grocery store company Meijer said it would now provide a discount on food items to those needing food assistance.
Feature image: Pixabay
Also read:
