The manager of the long-troubled water system in Missisisppi’s capital city has proposed a slight rate increase.

Democrats are deeply conflicted about the food aid requirements that President Joe Biden negotiated as part of the debt ceiling deal.

A Republican attempt to expand work requirements for federal food aid in debt legislation moving through Congress would increase federal spending by $2.1 billion over 10 years.

Work requirements for federal aid programs have emerged as a sticking point in ongoing negotiations over raising the nation’s debt ceiling, and President Joe Biden has signaled openness to a possible compromise even as many in his party have balked.

Michigan Kroger stores will now accept EBT payment for SNAP grocery orders placed online through the Kroger app or website.

Meijer will be waiving its home delivery fee for customers using SNAP benefits through Dec. 31, 2022.

Low-income residents of Macomb and Oakland counties who were impacted by flooding this past June and did not receive food assistance benefits during July 2021 can soon apply for federal Disaster Food Assistance Program benefits, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office announced Tuesday.

Michigan residents receiving food assistance will get additional benefits in June thanks to federal COVID funding.

The state of Michigan is expanding its food assistance program in an effort to ensure college students struggling financially during the COVID pandemic can get help buying food. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Wednesday that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits program will expand to low-income college students starting Thursday, April 1. Related: Michigan gains federal approval for second round of Pandemic-EBT benefitsAdThis could make about 200,000 more Michigan college students eligible. This is the second action taken by MDHHS during the pandemic to help college students buy food. Working with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, MDHHS last year expanded food assistance eligibility to many college students enrolled in career and technical education programs.

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through December as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance beginning in March – and now that is being extended for the month of December with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. More than 1.2 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in December to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent more than 50 percent of the more than 680,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in September. “This additional food assistance is critically important to make sure Michigan residents have nutritious food to eat.”The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act.

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through November as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan has provided additional food assistance since March – and now it is being extended for November with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in November to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent more than 50 percent of the more than 682,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in September. The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through October as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan has provided additional food assistance since March – and now it is being extended for October with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in September to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent close to 50 percent of the more than 800,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in August. The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Community members with an active EBT/Bridge card can purchase food through the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. According to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market website, those using SNAP dollars just need to swipe their food assistance card at the market office window. Previously, Double Up program tokens were limited to $20 but the Ann Arbor Farmers Market suspended that limitation so community members can stretch their food assistance benefits even further. The Westside Farmers' Market and Pittsfield Farmers Market also support food assistance programs including the Bridge Card and Double Up Bucks programs. The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at 315 Detroit St.Related:

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through September as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan has provided additional food assistance since March – and now it is being extended for September with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in September to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent close to 50 percent of the more than 800,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in August. The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

LANSING, Mich. – Food assistance has been extended to students pursuing technical education. The state of Michigan said federal money will help pay for the program. Roughly 16,000 low-income college students who are enrolled in career and technical education programs could be eligible for SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “These SNAP benefits will help them focus on their educational needs and prepare for a successful future.”Previous eligibility requirements had made it harder for technical students to qualify for food assistance. “Expanding access to SNAP is a huge benefit to students who are juggling their courses along with work, family and other obligations,” said Mike Hansen, president of the Michigan Community College Association.

Michigan has extended its expansion of food assistance for 350,000 families through August as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance for March through July – and now that is being extended for the month of August with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. “The department wants to provide additional assistance to help them through this health care and economic emergency.”Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by August 30, with payments beginning for some households on Thursday, Aug. 20. Nearly 1.5 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance ProgramHouseholds eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in August to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent close to 50 percent of the more than 700,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in June.

Additional benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been available to Michigan residents as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic left many struggling financially. MORE: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s where we stand Tuesday morningOfficials announced Tuesday that the additional resources -- which ensure eligible families can receive maximum monthly SNAP benefits amid the pandemic -- will continue to be available through the end of May. Additional resources were originally only approved for March and April; however, residents are still facing financial hardships due to the pandemic with record levels of unemployment present in the state. I will continue working around the clock to ensure Michigan families can access the food they need as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic.”The additional benefits will continue to serve about 350,000 Michigan households who could not access the maximum monthly benefits prior to the pandemic, officials said. About 1.5 million people in Michigan received SNAP benefits in April in total.

Getty ImagesWASHINGTON - The Trump administration is proposing to tighten automatic eligibility requirements for the food stamp program, a change that could affect about 3.1 million people. The Agriculture Department says the rule would close "a loophole" that enables people receiving only minimal benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to be eligible automatically for food stamps. Under current law, states may confer eligibility for food stamps, officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, if they meet income and other requirements for TANF. USDA says this has resulted in people receiving food stamps who don't need it. It estimates that in 2020, 3.1 million food stamp recipients, or 8% of the total could be affected.