Michigan has some great news for families striving to put fresh and healthy food on their tables. The Double Up Food Bucks program is back in full swing, providing an even more substantial boost to their grocery budgets that rely on food stamps.
The Double Up Food Bucks program, operated by the national nonprofit Fair Food Network, has long been a beacon of hope for families in Michigan. This initiative matches produce purchases for low-income shoppers, effectively doubling their spending power when buying fruits and vegetables. It works directly with the funds of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided to beneficiaries in their EBT cards.
Multiply How Much Food You Can Buy With Your SNAP Benefits
For most of the year, the program had to scale back due to budget constraints. Last year, Fair Food Network paused the program for more than five months in all locations, except for Flint. During this pause, participants saw their daily matches reduced from $20 to $10.
These changes were necessary to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability. However, they did pose challenges for families who depended on it to make nutritious food choices. But now, with additional state, federal, and philanthropic funds, the program is once again reaching its full potential.
Now, you can now earn up to $20 a day in Double Up Food Bucks. There’s no limit on spending the Double Up you’ve earned. However, please keep in mind that if you shop with Double Up coupons at grocery stores or use the Double Up card/app at any location, your Double Up earnings will expire after 90 days. On the other hand, if you shop with Double Up tokens at participating farmers’ markets, these tokens do not expire.
How Double Up Works With Food Stamps in Michigan
In Michigan, SNAP-eligible individuals are provided with a Bridge Card. This card allows them to purchase eligible food products and access benefits electronically through EBT. It’s a far more convenient and efficient method compared to traditional paper food stamps and checks.
Double Up Food Bucks works by matching EBT/Bridge Card (food stamp) dollars spent on fruits and vegetables, up to $20 a day. This means that families can effectively double their fresh produce purchases, making it easier to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
If you’re thinking about applying for SNAP benefits in Michigan, you can go directly to the Double Up Food Bucks’ website here, and they will kindly guide your thorough the whole process, from the application to the using of the extra bucks.