Wayne And Washtenaw Flood Victims Can Apply For A Food Payment

Lansing, MI - Low-income residents of Wayne and Washtenaw counties who were affected by recent flooding and are not already receiving food assistance benefits soon can apply for federal Disaster Food Assistance Program benefits, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday, August 9, 2021.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will accept in-person applications only during specified hours based on the applicant’s last name at locations in Wayne and Washtenaw counties on seven specific dates from Thursday, Aug. 12 through Thursday, Aug. 19.

Households determined to be eligible will receive a one-time-only benefit to spend on food that is $430 for a household of two and $782 for a household of four.

“We have a duty to support families in Wayne and Washtenaw counties who have been hit hard by the recent, historic flooding,” Whitmer said. “These Michiganders should not have to worry about how they are going to feed their families as they deal with devastating damage to their homes and loss of valuable and invaluable property – from fridges to family photo albums. President Biden’s approval of my request for a presidential disaster declaration means Michigan can help these families put food on the table and continue to rebuild.”

The President approved a request from Whitmer in July that declared disasters in the two counties due to the flooding and power outages. Now USDA Food and Nutrition Service has approved the federal disaster food benefits.

MDHHS will assist impacted residents in applying for Disaster Food Assistance Program benefits. To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have lived in Wayne or Washtenaw counties as of June 25, 2021.
• Not already receive food assistance benefits, commonly known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
• Meet income requirements for its family size based on the household’s take-home income and accessible liquid resources during the disaster benefit period, minus unreimbursed disaster expanses. That translates to an income of approximately 150% of the federal poverty level. For example, the maximum gross income to be eligible for a household of two is $2,190 per month, or $26,280 per year. By comparison, eligibility for traditional food assistance is based on an income that is 130% of the poverty level.
• Be directly affected by the flooding, which means the household has experienced at least one of the following due to the disaster:
  • Destroyed or spoiled food.
  • Disaster-related personal injury.
  • Lost or no access to income due to the disaster, including reduced, terminated or delayed receipt of income, for a large part of the benefit period.
  • The need for home or business repairs.
  • Temporary shelter expenses.
  • Evacuation or relocation expenses.

“MDHHS has been working hard to expand access to food assistance benefits for Michiganders who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said. “Now the department wants to help residents who have suffered due to another emergency – the flooding in Wayne and Washtenaw counties – and are struggling due to no fault of their own. Improving access to services and benefits, including food assistance, is an important MDHHS priority.”

Under federal regulations, MDHHS will complete an in-person interview with each applicant before the disaster food assistance can be approved. Applicants must provide verification of their identity and are encouraged to bring proof of residence, income and liquid assets such as the amount money in their bank accounts during the disaster period, if possible. Proof of citizenship or alien status is not required. Face masks will be required at all sites. Applicants are asked to bring their own mask if possible, however, masks will be available if needed.

Wayne County residents can apply at the following locations, which are MDHHS offices:

• Greenfield/Joy District Office 8655 Greenfield Road, Detroit.
• Taylor District Office, 25637 Ecorse Road, Taylor.
• Inkster District Office, 26355 Michigan Ave., Inkster.
• Southwest Service Center, 2524 Clark St., Detroit.
• Conner Service Center/Gratiot/Seven Mile District Office, 4733 Conner St., Suite G7, Detroit.
• Grandmont Service Center Office, 17455 Grand River Ave., Detroit. 

Washtenaw County residents can apply at the following locations:

• Ypsilanti Middle School, 510 Emerick St., Ypsilanti.
• Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor.

Applications cannot be accepted at any other MDHHS offices or online. To make the application process go more quickly and smoothly, applicants are asked to show up on dates that are assigned based on the first letter of their last names. In-person applications will be accepted on the following dates and times:

MDHHS caseworkers will be on hand to assist applicants and conduct interviews with applicants to verify eligibility.

There will be priority hours each day from 8 to 9 a.m. for applicants who are elderly or have disabilities. People who are elderly or have a disability will have access to prioritized lines, seating, water, handicap-accessible parking and restrooms and other accommodations as needed.

Household approved for Disaster Food Assistance Program benefits will be issued a Bridge Card, an electronic benefits card similar to a debit card that can be used to redeem their food assistance benefits at eligible retail stores and farmers markets.

Benefits will be available the next day. They should redeem the benefits promptly. For a list of SNAP authorized retailers, including farmers markets and farm stands, please see USDA’s SNAP retailer locator.

Heavy rain resulted in severe flooding and power outages June 25-29 in Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

Whitmer and MDHHS sought and received Emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) approval from the Biden administration through the Food and Nutrition Services within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More details about disaster food assistance is available at Michigan.gov/FoodAssistance.