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Michigan SNAP recipients may qualify for additional assistance to replace food spoiled during recent storms and power outages
September 11, 2026
Deadline to request replacement benefits is Sept. 23
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and were affected by recent storms in Wayne County may be eligible to request replacement benefits to cover food that spoiled as a result of recent power outages.
“Michigan families should know they may have an option to recover some of the food assistance they lost during the extended power outage in Wayne County,” said Amy Epkey, MDHHS acting director. “If you receive SNAP benefits and lost food, we encourage you to report the loss by Sept. 23.”
Typically, SNAP recipients who experienced a qualifying food loss must report it to MDHHS within 10 days. However, due to the severity of this weather event, MDHHS applied for and was approved for a federal extension waiver giving families until Wednesday, Sept. 23 to gather documentation and complete the necessary steps to secure their replacement benefits.
The amount that a household can request for SNAP food benefit replacements is based on the total value of the food lost, up to a maximum of one month’s regular food assistance benefits.
SNAP recipients who had food spoil due to a verified power outage or lost to storm damage can call 844-464-3447 to request replacement food benefits or visit the MDHHS website to fill out the required forms. The deadline to request replacement benefits is Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.
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