March 31, 2008

Michigan leads the nation's largest states in ensuring needy families have access to food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Michigan has the largest percentage of families participating in its Food Assistance Program of the largest states and is ranked tenth overall among states in participation.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service estimates that, in Michigan, more than 75 percent of persons that qualify for food assistance received it during 2005, the year covered in the report. This exceeds the national average by 10 points and is ahead of other large states. The report graded Michigan in a tie with Illinois with the highest participation among the seven Great Lakes states.

"Our goal is to protect Michigan's families," said Ismael Ahmed, director of the Department of Human Services. "The Food Assistance Program ensures that families and children have food on the table. Few services provide a more direct and important impact."

Since the 2005 USDA estimate, Michigan has added more than 200,000 people to its Food Assistance rolls.

"An internal DHS analysis shows greater participation than the federal report," Ahmed said. "It shows we may reach 95 percent of eligible persons today."

By USDA standards in 2005, Michigan provided benefits to both 75 percent of all eligible persons and the same percent of working poor recipients. Michigan used these tools to reach eligible participants:

• Outreach programs through the Elder Law and MiCAFE programs that reach older adults.
• Outreach through Saginaw-based Center for Civil Justice, a statewide organization that promotes benefits for low-income residents.
• Outreach through WIC offices, Food Bank Council of Michigan, regional food banks, Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Project Fresh, Meals on Wheels and similar outlets.

The comparative figures were announced in an October 2007 publication, "Reaching Those In Need: State Food Stamp Participation Rates in 2005" published by Mathematica Policy Research for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. It said Missouri had the highest participation in 2005 at 95 percent followed by Tennessee (88%), Oregon (86%), Maine (85%), West Virginia (80%), Oklahoma (77%), Louisiana, Arkansas and Kentucky (76%).

In Michigan, The Food Assistance Program supplements the food purchasing power of low-income individuals and families. The U.S. Department of Agriculture pays for 100 percent of program benefits. The state and federal governments share administrative costs. Department of Human Services staff members statewide determine eligibility for applicants.

 For more information on food assistance in Michigan, go to www.michigan.gov/foodstamps. People with questions about potential eligibility for Food Assistance can call the Statewide Food and Nutrition Program Helpline 1-800-481-4989.