Residents receiving food assistance affected by recent power outage in Southeast Michigan may receive replacement benefits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 3, 2023

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov  

Residents receiving food assistance affected by recent power
outage in Southeast Michigan may receive replacement benefits
MDHHS shares information on how to apply 

LANSING, Mich. – Residents who were affected by last week’s storm in Southeast Michigan may be eligible for replacement food assistance, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced.

“Michigan residents who receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should not go without food for their families as a result of the power outages from last week’s storm,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “We stand ready to help them by replacing food they purchased with SNAP benefits.”

MDHHS is reminding residents they may be able to replace lost food that had been purchased with Food Assistance Program benefits received through SNAP. Replacement food is only available to those already receiving food assistance benefits and is not available for Pandemic-EBT benefits under federal requirements. The amount of the replacement is based on the amount of food lost by the household, up to a maximum of one month’s food assistance benefits.

Counties with reported power outages include Branch, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne.

Any Food Assistance Program recipient who had food spoil due to a verified power outage or lost to storm damage can call 844-464-3447 to request replacement food benefits. The deadline for requesting replacement benefits is Monday, Aug. 7.