Benefits Decreasing for MI Residents

Since the federal farm bill abolished the “heat and eat” program, which provided energy assistance to every person receiving food stamps, some families receiving food stamps in Michigan will see an average $76 per month reduction in benefits. Bob Wheaton, spokesperson for the Department of Human Services, told Gongwer News Service that some states are exploiting a loophole in the law by using $21 in automatic energy assistance payments to food assistant recipients to increase their benefits. He says Michigan cannot justify such an expenditure for families that do not have heating expenses – such as those living in apartments where the heat is covered in their rent – particularly in a year when the state experienced record cold temperatures. According to Wheaton, no more than 150,000 families will experience the reduction and for most it won’t occur until after November 1.