Elizabeth Hertel, Director | Michigan Department of Health & Human Services - Lansing
Elizabeth Hertel, Director | Michigan Department of Health & Human Services - Lansing
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued an emergency order that halts the distribution of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to millions of Americans, including recipients in Michigan. The ruling temporarily blocks a previous directive for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to issue full November SNAP benefits.
Following the court’s decision, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced it would pause all pending SNAP benefit payments for November until further notice from either the courts or USDA. Any benefits not yet issued will remain on hold.
Elizabeth Hertel, director of MDHHS, expressed concern about the impact on residents: “We are disappointed by the federal government's continued efforts to prevent SNAP benefits from reaching the Michigan residents who rely on them,” Hertel said. “Taking this matter all the way to the Supreme Court creates uncertainty, confusion, and frustration. Worse than that, it punishes the more than one million Michigan residents who qualify for and rely on their benefits to put food on the table.”
Prior to this intervention, MDHHS had started issuing full November payments as directed by a previous court order but must now suspend those payments not yet processed.
SNAP recipients with questions are encouraged to contact their local MDHHS office or check MI Bridges for updates.
To address food insecurity during ongoing federal disruptions, Governor Whitmer recently allocated $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to help feed residents across all counties and support those unable to travel to food banks. Whitmer also led a group of governors in urging federal officials to minimize interruptions in SNAP services during government shutdowns.
Additional state programs continue supporting families:
- Double Up Food Bucks allows families extra funds for groceries and fresh produce.
- Hunters Feeding Families helps provide venison or other game meat.
- Free breakfast and lunch are provided for all 1.4 million public school students in Michigan.
For further assistance, individuals can call 2-1-1 or visit www.mi211.org for referrals; find local food banks through the Food Bank Council of Michigan; or contact Double Up Food Bucks at 866-586-2796 or DoubleUpFoodBucks.org/find-a-location.
According to MDHHS data, average monthly SNAP benefits per household in fiscal year 2024 were $335.03—about $173 per person per month—with higher amounts available for those with lower incomes due to greater need for nutritious food access. In Michigan:
- Nearly half a million children benefit from SNAP.
- More than 38,000 veterans participate.
- A significant portion of households receiving aid include older adults (36%), children (43%), people with disabilities (51%), and individuals with earned income (78%).
In 2023 alone, over $3.6 billion in SNAP benefits were redeemed at more than 9,700 retailers statewide.
Eligibility requirements include citizenship status or acceptable non-citizen status and residency within Michigan; household financial circumstances such as expenses and income are also considered when determining qualification.
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