LANSING - The recently enacted Coronavirus Relief Act adds to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to keep Michiganders fed during the pandemic.

Food assistance benefits will be increased by $102 per month for the next six months to households of four.

“The COVID19 pandemic brought economic challenges to many Michigan households,” said executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, Phil Knight. “Swift government action provided by the Governor’s administration brought emergency relief from the toxic stress of food insecurity,”

At the beginning of the pandemic, Michigan was the first state to offer food benefits to children that no longer could take advantage of the free and reduced priced lunches following the state-wide school shut down.

“Michiganders need access to nutritious food to keep them healthy so they can succeed in the economy and realize their dreams, and so their children can excel in school and achieve their full potential,” said Whitmer. “I will continue to fight for policies that will improve food security and look forward to working with President Joe Biden and Senator Debbie Stabenow to remove barriers to accessing food assistance.”

In May, over 1.5 million Michiganders received more than $263 Million in food assistance program benefits.

“Every day MDHHS staff in local offices from Southeast Michigan to the Upper Peninsula work to provide residents with access to food through SNAP benefits,” said MDHHS Director, Elizabeth Hertel. “Our staff stepped up without missing a beat during difficult circumstances and met the increased need for food assistance that was created by the pandemic – even while our employees adjusted to working remotely to keep everyone safe.”