HomeLocal NewsIncome Limits For Food Stamps In Michigan: A Detailed Guide

Income Limits For Food Stamps In Michigan: A Detailed Guide

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Are you aware of the income limits for food stamps in Michigan? This topic should grab your attention if you’re thinking of applying for food stamps and eager to know if your income status qualifies you for SNAP Michigan benefits. 

Food stamps, called Food Assistance Program (FAP), help eligible families purchase nutritious foods. However, there are specific requirements to qualify for this program, such as income limits.  

Here, we will discuss the income limits to qualify for food stamps in Michigan and share other valuable details about this topic. Read to discover more. 

What Are The Income Limits For Food Stamps In Michigan?

Michigan has specified income limits based on household size. The limit helps to determine the eligibility of applicants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assisted Program (SNAP).

SNAP, popularly called food stamp, is a state-sponsored program designed to help low-income families and the needy purchase nutritious foods. Here is the income limit to be considered eligible for the program. 

1: Household size – One Individual:

If you live alone in Michigan, you qualify for SNAP if your maximum annual income is $18,954.  

2: Household size – Two Individuals:

You’ll find slightly higher income limits for couples or two individuals living under the same roof. To qualify for food stamps, the maximum annual income of both individuals should be $25,636.

3: Household Size – Three Individuals:

A household size of three individuals can get food stamps. The only stumbling block could be their income. 

If you reside in Michigan in a household of three persons, and you earn a maximum annual income of $32,318 combined, you qualify to get food stamps. 

4: Household size – four individuals: 

A family of four will qualify for food stamp assistance with a maximum annual income of $39,000.

5: Household size – Five individuals:

Five individuals living under one roof will qualify for stamps with a maximum annual income of $45,682.

6: Household size – Six individuals:

A household where six individuals live will qualify for stamps if they have a maximum annual income of $52,364.

7: Household size – Seven Individuals:

A family of seven can qualify for food stamps with a maximum yearly income of $59,046.

8: Household size – Eight Individuals:

A family of eight is the largest household size in the food stamps program. A family of this size can also qualify for food stamps if they have a maximum annual income of $65,728.

A Handy Tip: The income limit of households is what the Michigan government considers, not the family size. So, if a family’s income limit falls below the ones stated here, they can still qualify for food stamps. 

Income limits are the primary factor the government considers when screening applicants for the program. However, they are not the only factor. Others include assets (no longer relevant), expenses and household composition. 

Note also that the income limits may change from time to time. It is not fixed. You can check with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to know the new limits. 

Note also that the eligibility of a household or family for food stamps is based on the household’s financial situation. The program considers the financial condition of everyone in the household who prepares food, lives, and makes purchases jointly. 

Income Considered When Deciding The Food Stamps Assistance You Can Get

It is essential to know the type of income considered when deciding your eligibility and the amount of food assistance you qualify for. Most of your earned and unearned income will be part of this process. 

Check out the income considered when deciding if you’re eligible for food stamps. 

  • Wages
  • Rent income
  • Child support
  • Veteran benefits
  • Social security benefits
  • Self-employment earnings

What Are The Food Stamps Residency Requirements?

The residency requirements focus on individuals who can qualify for food stamps in the state. In addition to your income, other factors determine whether you’re eligible. 

Here are the residency requirements to consider when applying for food stamps. 

  • You must be living in Michigan to qualify for food stamps in the state.
  • You must be a citizen of the United States of America or (acceptable non-citizen).

What Are The Asset Limits For Food Stamps In Michigan?

The asset limit to qualify for food stamps in Michigan was $15,000. In other means, people who had over $15,000 in assets were denied food assistance by the state.

These were the assets considered when verifying the eligibility of applicants for food assistance. 

  • Cash at hand
  • Investments 
  • Money you have stashed in your savings and checking accounts
  • Lottery winnings (counted as unearned income unless paid in installments)
  • Uncashed checks meant for you
  • Real and household property (besides your home and one household car)

Things have changed over the years. The state has adjusted the eligibility requirements to suit the present reality. 

The latest on food stamps in Michigan is that the state has signed a law that ends asset limits. In other words, asset limits are no longer noteworthy when deciding who is eligible for food assistance. 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a historic law that removes the maximum amount of assets Michiganders can possess to qualify for food assistance. Instead, the eligibility criteria will only be based on the household’s current income. 

According to Whitmer, the asset limits forced individuals who might have been laid off or require little breathing room to make difficult choices to qualify for SNAP. The governor stated that Michiganders who need food benefits should be able to access them without illogical takeoffs. 

The $15,000 asset limit was instituted by the state’s lawmakers in 2011 because of one man. They learned that an Auburn man won $2 million in a lottery jackpot but was still collecting food assistance because his current income was small.  

Now, did the bill to remove the asset limits face any resistance? Of course, it did. The Republican lawmakers weren’t comfortable with the decision to remove the asset limits. 

The lawmakers claim removing the asset limits could reopen food stamps benefits for millionaires, including lottery winners, without benefiting those that need food assistance. 

Matt Hall, a House Republican Leader, was one of the most vocal lawmakers on the issue. He said, “Michiganders are always willing to support individuals seeking temporary help to get back on their feet. And that he feels Democrats are only trying to turn the food assistance program on its head. 

Matt Hall said that the state’s millionaires and even lottery winners could still receive the food stamps without the asset test to measure people’s wealth.   

The good news for Michiganders is that asset limits to determine SNAP eligibility no longer exist. And according to Gov. Whitmer, the new law Michigan has passed will align the state with 36 others. 

The 36 states with no asset limits only consider the current income of applicants to decide whether they qualify for SNAP. 

Gov. Whitmer believes states shouldn’t force people to empty their savings accounts or sell their cars to feed themselves or their children. 

Who Is Eligible For Food Stamps In Michigan?         

You must be a U.S. citizen and reside in Michigan. These two residency requirements are crucial and will determine whether your application will scale through. 

Other eligibility requirements include:

  • Your current bank balance (savings and checking combined) should be under $2,001
  • Your current bank balance (savings and checking combined) should be under $3,251, and share your household with one of the following:   
  • An individual or persons aged 60 and above
  • An individual with a disability ( a child, parent, spouse, or yourself)

Household Expenses Considered When Deciding Your Food Stamps Benefits Amount In Michigan 

Note that several household expenses will be considered when deciding the amount you qualify for food assistance. Check them out below.

  • Dependent care expenses
  • Shelter, such as rent, telephone, heat, water, electricity, mortgage, etc).
  • Legally obligated or court-ordered child support payments
  • Medical expenses (medical and dental care, nursing care, hospitalization, health insurance premium, medical supplies, etc.) for individuals over 60 years old or with a disability 

Can An Unemployed Person Get Food Stamps In Michigan?

You can receive food stamps if you’re unemployed. Note that the reason you left your job will be a factor in your application. Your application could be denied if you left the job to qualify for food stamps. In addition, reducing one’s work hours to qualify for SNAP is also not acceptable.

Note that you may be asked to participate in a crucial employment and training program if you work less than 30 hours per week or are unemployed. You can contact the Michigan SNAP to get more details on this.  

The bottom line is you can get food stamps if you’re unemployed. But ensure you didn’t quit your job because you wanted to qualify for the program. 

Can A Person With Felony Drug Conviction Get Food Stamps In Michigan?  

You can get food assistance in Michigan if you have drug convictions. However, it is worth mentioning that felons with two or more drug convictions were banned from food assistance for life. 

In 2020, a coalition of organizations across the state advocated for the removal of the ban on felons, citing that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was punishing individuals with a history of drug crimes. 

A Handy Tip: You might face a temporary disqualification upon your release from prison for a drug related crime, and you apply for food assistance. 

Can A Homeless Person Get Food Stamps In Michigan? 

You can get food stamps in Michigan if you’re homeless. Besides, you don’t need a house or mailing address to apply for food assistance. You can even apply for food stamps if you reside in a shelter offering free meals.  

Can A New Parent or Pregnant Woman Get Food Stamps In Michigan? 

You can apply for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Benefits while pregnant. Adding a baby to your family will increase your benefit amount. 

Note that WIC offers food and relevant resources to new parents, pregnant women, and children up to 5 years old. So, applying for food assistance is unnecessary when you’re on WIC. 

Can A Non-citizen Get Food Stamps In Michigan?  

You can get food assistance in Michigan as a non-citizen, provided you’re legal. In other words, you must have qualified alien immigration status to be eligible for food stamps in Michigan and reside in the state.  

Persons who qualify as aliens include victims of trafficking, refugees, Cuban and Haitian immigrants, Afghanistan and Iraqi immigrants with special statuses and more.  

Conclusion

What are the income limits for food stamps in Michigan? The income limits vary based on the household size. It’s currently $18,954 for a household of one. 

The income limits increase as the number of people in the family or household increases. Note also that the income limits aren’t fixed; they can change anytime. 

Another remarkable thing SNAP applicants need to know is asset limits are no longer a criterion to apply for or receive food assistance. Gov Whitmer has signed a law that ends the era of asset limits. 

Furthermore, you can apply for food assistance even if you have a history of drug-related convictions. However, note that you may face a temporary ban after exiting prison. 

Jason Cooper
Jason Cooper
Jason Cooper is a dedicated news blogger with a zeal for storytelling. Enthusiastically covering current events, he constantly seeks fresh angles and innovative ways to refine his craft and engage his readers.

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