SNAP UNPAUSED! As I understand it, money should be in people's accounts by 11/9/2025

OTHER RESOURCES STILL AVAILABLE. LOOK BELOW

Michigan is now releasing full SNAP benefits for November 2025 following a federal court order. Recipients who normally get benefits on the 3rd, 5th, or 7th of the month should receive their full allotment within 48 hours of the state receiving federal funds, which was expected to be no later than November 7, 2025. All other recipients will receive their full payment on their normally scheduled date. 
  • Action: Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has directed its SNAP EBT vendor to issue full benefits as soon as federal funding arrives.
  • Reason: A federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the USDA to fully fund SNAP benefits for November.
  • Timeline:
    • For those whose benefits are normally received on the 3rd, 5th, or 7th, the full payment should be issued within 48 hours of the state getting the funding.
    • For all other recipients, full benefits will be issued on their normal, scheduled date.
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What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food benefits to food insecure families. The federal shutdown is causing a pause in the program. Despite some movement in the federal government, funds still have not been released. Until they are we need to keep supporting each other as we can.  

Find more about how SNAP works below. 

Resources for Eastern Market Community that needs food assistance:


​Community Account for use primarily at Eastern Market
HOW TO USE our Community Account (only at Lake Divide Farm’s Stand)
  • No proof requirement
  • Look for the Community Account Sign
  • Select what you need
  • $20 limit per person, with some exceptions.
  • Say to the person checking you out “I am using the Community Account”
  • Available as long as there is a balance in the Community Account.
 
Additionally:
  • We accept Cash Value Benefits at our Eastern Market stand
  • We accept Produce connection. The program runs until November 11th. (this week is the last week)

Details about what Lake Divide Farm is doing:

Community Account, primarily for our Eastern Market Customers
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We created a "Community Account" that people affected by the SNAP pause can use through our Declining Balance Farm Account Model.
  • This will be available to people that need food assistance without a proof requirement. 
  • People can select what they need from the market tables and we will deduct the cost from the Community Account balance.
  • There will be a $20 limit per person, with some exceptions.
  • We started the account with $150 so there is no break in food availability. 
  • Lake Divide will match donations. Donations are most easily done at market but can be done online as well.
  • Our goal is to have $150/week available to Eastern Market community members that need it. 
 
Additional information about the Community Account:
  • We will include the Community Account balance in all newsletters
  • The balance is available starting November 1st 
  • We will put up a sign to invite people affected by the SNAP pause to inquire about the account.
  • We will have a print out about the Community Account so prospective contributors have something to look at and consider. 
  • All funds acquired this way will be used to distribute food to food insecure people, either through the community account or if the pause ends and it makes more sense, directly to food pantries/food banks

How it works:

Want to help:
  • Please contribute to our Community Account. this is best done at market. If you know you are going to contribute, please email me so I can match your contribution in advance
  • Share this plan with others
  • Check on people in your community!

We accept Cash Value Benefits at our Eastern Market stand

We accept Produce connection. The program runs until November 11th. 

Stockbridge Community Outreach Project continues

Additional Resources for SNAP recipients:

  • Remaining balance on Bridge card can be turned into double up food bucks
    • CAP LIFTED on Double up Food Bucks
      • The program has also lifted the daily earning cap of $20 per day. Previously, shoppers could buy fresh fruits and vegetables from participating locations, up to $20 daily, and get matched dollar for dollar to double their purchasing power. Now, the match limit is unlimited.
        • If you have $50 left on your bridge card, you can get an additional $50 in food.
    • Effective November 1st
    • NO EXPIRATION
      • The Fair Food Network has lifted a 90-day limit for shoppers to use their Double Up Food Bucks meaning there’s no expiration.
    • Shoppers can now use their Double Up Bucks to buy frozen fruits and vegetables without added sugar, salt and oil.
    • For more information about the Double Up Food Bucks program, go to doubleupfoodbucks.org/. Call the program’s hotline at 866-586-2796 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday) for questions. Find a participating location at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org/find-a-location.
  • SNAP participants should contact their local MDHHS office if they have questions about their SNAP benefits or check MI Bridges for updates.

To find additional resources:

Resources for people that want to help:

How SNAP works from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

FNS administers SNAP at the federal level, while states administer the program at the local level, determining eligibility and providing benefits to qualifying households.
SNAP benefits are delivered through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which participants can use to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers markets, and other establishments, injecting funds directly into the food supply chain and other retail sectors. SNAP spending generates revenue for grocery stores, farmers, and other businesses, helping to pay local wages, keep retail outlets stocked, and strengthen the local economy.

SNAP helps lift families out of poverty by allowing them to use the money they would normally spend on food for other goods and services, including health-related activities. A 2021 study showed that infants and children in families receiving SNAP are more likely to see a doctor for regular checkups. Additionally, seniors who use SNAP are more likely to take full doses of prescription medications because they have enough income to cover both food and medications, compared to other older adults who do not participate in SNAP.

According to a new economic analysis from the National Grocers Association, SNAP funding supports approximately 388,000 jobs and more than $20 billion in direct wages, generating more than $4.5 billion in state and federal tax revenue.

​SNAP in Michigan 
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In fiscal year 2024, the average Michigan household participating in SNAP received $335.03 in SNAP benefits per month, equivalent to approximately $173 per person per month or $5.68 per person per day. Very low-income households receive more SNAP benefits than those near the poverty line, as they need greater support to access nutritious food. 
  • 225 children benefit from SNAP.
  • 513 veterans participate in SNAP.
  • 36% of households receiving SNAP include older adults.
  • 43% of households receiving SNAP have children.
  • 51% of households have at least one person with a disability.
  • 78% of households receiving SNAP include at least one person with earned income.
In Michigan, more than 9,700 businesses accept SNAP. In 2023, retailers redeemed more than $3.6 million in SNAP.