Michigan dept of Health and Human Services, partners bust welfare myths MDHHS reveals statistics that show economic pain is not limited to poor, urban areas

     Contact: Edward Woods III, Office of Communications director, 517-373-7394

Michigan Department of Human Services, partners bust welfare myths 

 MDHHS reveals statistics that show economic pain is not limited to poor, urban areas

Aug. 12, 2010 

Michigan's troubling economic climate has caused an unprecedented number of families to seek help paying their bills or putting food on their tables. However, that hardship is not just happening to families in poor, urban areas. The economic pain is being felt everywhere, including in the suburbs or wealthier areas of the state. This is just one of the many myths that are tarnishing the purpose of the welfare system, which is why the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is continuing its statewide campaign in Flint to bust those myths with facts, Director Ismael Ahmed said today.-FLINT  

"Those myths have caused a stigma that may prevent some people who truly need help, especially families with young children and the elderly, to come forward," Ahmed said. "We want to put an end to that because the safety net helps families get back on their feet." 

MDHHS representatives and partners dispelled myths at the event today as part of the department's "Welfare 101: busting myths about welfare" campaign. The campaign was launched on April 1 in an effort to reduce widespread negative perceptions and show how valuable the welfare system is for so many Michigan residents, as well as to the state's economy. 

"Food Assistance Program dollars have an impact on the local economy in a number of ways: They provide jobs for the farmers, as well as the local residents, and when clients use their Bridge Card at the market, they are getting access to healthy, fresh foods," said Richard Ramsdell, manager of the Flint Farmers Market. 

"To put it into prospective, Genesee County issues more than $14 million a month in food assistance benefits." 

 That's important in part because the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that every $5 of food benefits generates about $9.20 in economic activity in local communities.

Among the myths busted during today's event: 

  Welfare recipients only live in poor, urban areas, not the suburbs or wealthier areas of the state. Myth: 

ichigan residents are struggling to put food on their tables and pay their bills in communities statewide. MDHHS has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of families seeking temporary assistance, including in Michigan's more-affluent suburban communities.  M Fact:  

 For example, Grand Blanc saw a 72 percent increase in the number of people coming to the MDHHS for food assistance, while Flushing saw a 48 percent increase. Also, the communities saw more than 41 percent increases in Medicaid rolls.            

 

  Welfare recipients are a drain on the system. Myth: 

   The average family receiving assistance is a single parent with two children, who receive help for typically less than two years. The parent probably works part-time earning minimum wage. The family may live on $700 to $800 a month between part-time income and benefits. This places the family at about 50 percent of the federal poverty income guideline for a family of three of about $1,474 a month. Fact: 

The fact is more Michigan residents are struggling today than ever before, said Barbara Anders, MDHHS' financial and quality service deputy director. 

"Today, the need is great but at least MDHHS' welfare programs can ease the burden on a temporary basis," Anders said. "It is more important than ever before to do your part to educate the skeptics. Be vigilant and make sure you don't fall into this trap yourself." 

Grocery store retailers statewide agree that more people are falling on hard times, said Jane Shallal, president and CEO of the Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers. 

"Providing welfare benefits to these struggling families will help to put food on the table," she said. "Food stamp dollars also help the slow economy by providing an economic boost to small businesses striving to serve these households. 

"Every extra dollar, whether it is spent on needed items such as groceries, the telephone bill or electric bill, all has a ripple effect on the viability and continued business of grocery stores, suppliers and haulers of food." 

Additionally, home foreclosures and evictions are on the rise in Genesee County, said Frank Woods, Jr., director of One-Stop Housing Resource Center. 

"We are seeing more clients who have had a better history of sustainability," Woods said. "But, the face and the span of homelessness and near-homelessness have changed dramatically in the past two years. It is no longer an urban problem as once assumed. 

"In my opinion, it is a social epidemic that is reaching all corners of our society." 

 Other partners in attendance included: One-Stop Housing Resource Center; Flint Farmers Market; Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers; Salvation Army; Resource Genesee; Career Alliance, Inc.; Job Corps; Action Management Corporation; Genesee County Community Action Resource Department; Holbrook Avenue Church of God; New Creation Church of God; Center for Civil Justice; Genesee County Board of Commissioners; Food Bank of Eastern Michigan; Community Resolution Center; Flint STRIVE; and the Disability Network.

For the truth about welfare, please visit the MDHHS website at www.michigan.gov/welfare101 . Follow MDHHS on Twitter @MichiganDHS or become a fan at www.facebook.com/MichiganDHS .