The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced it will provide over $118 million in the form of food benefits to 983,531 students. The food benefits will be part of the new Michigan Summer Electronic Benefit program. 

“We want to ensure children are able to access healthy food this summer while school is out,” said Elizabeth Hertel, the director of MDHHS. “Eligible families are receiving $120 per child through this program to bolster their grocery buying budgets.” 

The Summer EBT program was created by the U.S. Congress. It’s based on other programs used during the COVID-19 pandemic that were created to deal with food insecurity, especially in regards to students who normally relied on school breakfasts and lunches. MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Education say they are working together on the program. 

According to MDHHS, benefits can be accessed with EBT cards, which will allow families to buy groceries. Families who already use Bridge cards will receive a one-time deposit of $120 per child loaded onto their card. New users will receive pre-loaded cards in the mail. $120 per child is the standard benefit amount for 2024, as decided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Children are eligible for the Summer EBT program if they are: 

• Household participants, between the ages of 6 and 18, who receive Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations or eligible Medical Assistance households at below 185% of the federal poverty level. 

• Students of any age certified as eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunch through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program

• Approved through the Summer EBT application process

The grocery store chain Meijer has announced they will also be contributing to the program. The stores will double a milk discount offered through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The discount will increase to 40% off of any brand or size of 1% or fat free milk. Meijer says it’s part of their goal to increase access to healthy foods and beverages. 

Several additional programs are available to help feed children. These include the Michigan Department of Education’s Summer Food Service Program and the Rural Non-Congregate Summer Food Service Program. 

For information, and instructions on how to apply for Summer EBT, visit the Summer EBT tab at michigan.gov/mdhhs.