For complete results, select the county where you live or where your case is filed:
Common Questions about Food Stamps (FAP)
Contents
These are common questions about Food Stamps (FAP).
Questions about Food Stamps (FAP)
FAP is a benefit program that helps families with low income buy food. It is part of the federal program that used to be called Food Stamps.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) puts monthly FAP benefits on a Bridge Card. The family uses the Bridge Card to pay for groceries.
Yes, there are income and asset limits for FAP. To learn more, read Income and Asset Limits for the Food Assistance Program (FAP, or Food Stamps).
You can use your Bridge Card at most grocery stores and markets. There are some restrictions on what you can buy with your Bridge Card.
How long the application process takes depends on which public benefits you apply for. Here are some common public benefits programs and the application timelines:
-
Food Assistance Program (FAP) – 30 days (If you are homeless or have little to no money, you might be able to get emergency food assistance. Emergency applications are processed within 7 days)
-
Family Independence Program (FIP) – 45 days
-
Child Development and Care Program – 45 days
-
Medical Assistance (MA) – 45 days, but a disability-related application can take up to 90 days
-
State Disability Assistance (SDA) – 60 days
-
State Emergency Relief (SER) – 10 days
The fastest way to apply is online at MI Bridges. You can also apply in person at your local MDHHS office.
A Bridge Card is like a debit card for food. A Bridge Card can be used at most grocery stores and markets. There are some restrictions on what you may buy with your Bridge Card.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) considers shelter costs (including utilities), child care costs, and child support payments when determining eligibility for the Food Assistance Program (FAP). MDHHS will also consider medical expenses for seniors and people who are disabled. Medical expenses for people who are not seniors nor disabled will not be considered. MDHHS does not consider car payments or car insurance.
Maybe. Certain households are eligible for expedited Food Assistance Program (FAP) benefits, where the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) processes your application in seven days. You are probably eligible for expedited FAP benefits if any of these are true:
-
Your gross monthly income is $150 or less and you have less than $100 in cash or savings
-
Your gross monthly income plus all of your cash and savings are less than your monthly housing and utility bills
-
You are a migrant or seasonal worker who is between jobs
-
You are homeless
If your application alone shows that you are eligible for expedited FAP benefits, MDHHS must review and make a decision on your application within seven days. This is true even if you don’t have all the papers and proof of income that MDHHS asks for. You will have to give MDHHS all of this information in order to continue getting FAP.
The benefits should be issued on the seventh day, though delays are common. If you don’t receive your benefits shortly after the seventh day, try calling your caseworker. If you can’t get a hold of your caseworker, your local legal services office may be able to help you. Use the Guide to Legal Help to find a legal services office near you.
Sometimes it is hard to reach your caseworker. Here are some quick tips if you are having trouble:
-
Leave a message telling your caseworker when and where you can be reached;
-
Send an e-mail or letter to your caseworker;
-
See if your local legal services or legal aid office can to help you. Use the Guide to Legal Help to find legal services near you;
-
Schedule a walk-in appointment;
-
If there is a deadline involved, request a hearing in writing.
To learn more, read What if My Case Worker Won’t Call Me Back?.
Yes. You can designate an authorized representative. If the authorized representative is part of your FAP household, they can be any age. If the authorized representative is not part of your FAP household, they must be 18 years old or older. The authorized representative can fill out the application for the household, attend the interview, and give the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) the information it needs. It is very important that an authorized representative be someone honest and reliable, and who has full knowledge of your household’s income and expense information.
To learn more, read An Overview of the Food Assistance Program (FAP, or Food Stamps).
Yes. If you have an authorized representative, you can request an additional Bridge Card for that person. Never give your own Bridge Card or PIN to another person to use.
A separate Bridge Card will not be made for your authorized representative unless you ask for one. The authorized representative’s Bridge Card will have both your name and his or her name printed on the card. The card will also have the letters ARFS stamped on it. This shows it is the authorized representative’s card. The card, along with a separate PIN, will be mailed to you, not the authorized representative.
Maybe. Most immigrant children who are lawfully present are eligible for FAP. Most immigrant adults who are lawfully present and have lived in the U.S. lawfully for at least five years are also eligible. To learn more, read Food Assistance for Immigrants.
Maybe. You can apply for FAP if you are living in a shelter or don’t have an ID. To learn more, read An Overview of the Food Assistance Program (FAP, or Food Stamps).