How to Apply for SNAP in Michigan
Apply for Michigan's Food Assistance Program (FAP/SNAP) through MI Bridges. No asset test, 200% FPL income limit, Michigan Bridge Card, county MDHHS offices statewide.
Last reviewed by Alex Bennett on May 7, 2026
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Michigan's Food Assistance Program (FAP) — also called SNAP — provides monthly food benefits to eligible low-income households. FAP is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) through local county offices. Benefits load monthly to a Michigan Bridge Card, accepted at grocery stores, farmers markets, and select online retailers statewide. Michigan uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) at 200% FPL — this eliminates the asset test for nearly all households, so you are not required to report savings or property when applying.
Michigan implemented SNAP work requirements under H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) effective March 1, 2026. Michigan's federal Time Limited Food Assistance (TLFA) waiver expired February 28, 2026.
Important: Many Michigan residents are in waived areas. Work requirements do not apply if you live in any of the following:
- Waived cities: Bay City, Detroit, Eastpointe, Flint, Jackson, and Saginaw
- Waived counties: Alcona, Alger, Arenac, Cheboygan, Iosco, Iron, Luce, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Roscommon, and Schoolcraft
For everyone else, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) — adults aged 18–64 with no child under age 14 in the household who are able to work — must work, volunteer, or participate in approved training for at least 80 hours per month to maintain benefits beyond 3 months in a 36-month period. Native Americans have additional deferral protections.
Call 1-844-464-3447 or log in to MI Bridges to report work activity or ask about exemptions.
Verified: May 7, 2026
How to Apply for SNAP in Michigan
Use our free SNAP calculator to estimate whether your household qualifies and see your potential benefit amount. Michigan uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which raises the gross income limit to 200% FPL and eliminates the asset test for nearly all households. For FY2026, that is $5,360/month for a household of 4. Households with an elderly (60+) or disabled member are exempt from the gross income test entirely under federal SNAP law — they need only pass the net income test at 100% FPL.
Go to MI Bridges to apply for FAP online, manage your case, and explore community resources — available 24 hours a day. You can also:
- Apply in person at your local MDHHS county office
- Call 1-844-464-3447 to contact your local MDHHS office
- Get help applying by phone through the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) — click “Send” on the MI Bridges landing page to request a call within 2 business days
MI Bridges supports multiple languages including Spanish and Arabic. TTY users call 7-1-1 (Michigan Relay Center).
After applying, MDHHS will contact you to schedule a phone or in-person interview to verify your household information and income. Michigan follows the standard 30-day processing timeline. If you qualify for expedited FAP, benefits can arrive within 7 days of applying. Benefits are retroactive to your application date if approved.
Have these ready when contacted:
- Photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID)
- Proof of Michigan address (utility bill, lease, or recent mail)
- Proof of income for each household member (pay stubs, employer letter, or benefit award letters)
- Social Security numbers and dates of birth for each household member
- If applicable: medical bills for household members age 60+ or with a disability
Note: Michigan’s BBCE eliminates the asset test for most households — you do not need to bring bank statements or property documentation unless you or a household member has an Intentional Program Violation (IPV) or other qualifying disqualification.
If approved, you will receive a Michigan Bridge Card — your EBT card — to use at grocery stores, farmers markets, and select online retailers statewide (including Amazon, Walmart, Earth Fare, and Aldi). Check your balance, change your PIN, or report a lost or stolen card by calling 1-888-678-8914 (24/7, Spanish and Arabic available; TTY: 711) or visiting ebtedge.com. Note: Chip and tap-enabled Bridge Cards are coming in 2026 — keep your mailing address current in MI Bridges to receive your updated card.
Eligibility in Michigan
Michigan uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which raises the gross income limit to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and eliminates the asset test for nearly all households. You are not required to report savings, vehicles, or property when applying for FAP/SNAP in Michigan.
Elderly (60+) or disabled households: Under federal SNAP law, households with an elderly or disabled member are exempt from the gross income test entirely — they need only pass the net income test at 100% FPL (e.g., $2,679/month for a household of 4 in FY2026). Additional medical deductions are available: out-of-pocket medical expenses above $35/month reduce your countable income, which can increase your benefit or help you qualify.
Work requirements — ABAWDs: Michigan implemented expanded SNAP work requirements under H.R. 1 (OBBBA), effective March 1, 2026 (Michigan’s TLFA waiver expired February 28, 2026 — a later start date than most states). Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) — adults aged 18–64 with no child under age 14 who are able to work — must work, volunteer, or participate in approved activity for at least 80 hours per month to maintain FAP beyond 3 months in a 36-month period. Key Michigan distinction: many major urban areas and rural counties are waived — residents of Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, Eastpointe, and Jackson, and 15 rural northern counties are exempt from the work requirement entirely. Three counties (Kent excluding Grand Rapids, Oakland excluding Oak Park and Pontiac, and Livingston) have been subject since October 1, 2025. Ways to meet the requirement: paid or unpaid employment, Self-Initiated Community Service (SICS) at a nonprofit, or a Michigan Works! Agency (MWA) employment and training program. Native Americans have additional deferral protections. Contact 1-844-464-3447 or use MI Bridges to report work activity or ask about exemptions.
County-administered structure: Michigan processes FAP through local MDHHS offices in each of the state’s 83 counties. Your county MDHHS office processes your application, conducts your interview, and manages your case. Statewide rules — income limits, benefit amounts, and eligibility criteria — are set by MDHHS and apply uniformly. Find your county MDHHS office.
MiCAP — simplified FAP for SSI recipients: Michigan’s Michigan Combined Application Project (MiCAP) offers a simplified Food Assistance Program for people who receive SSI and have no other income. Your SSI interview serves as your MiCAP interview — no separate interview is required. You don’t need to provide copies of personal documents, and you only need to report changes to Social Security (not MDHHS directly). Ask your local MDHHS office about MiCAP or call 877-522-8050.
Mixed-status households: Undocumented members cannot receive FAP/SNAP for themselves, but eligible U.S. citizen children in the same household may qualify. The eligible members’ income and expenses are counted in the benefit calculation.
Verified: May 7, 2026
Michigan eligibility rules at a glance
- BBCE eliminates standard asset test — Exception for households with IPV or qualifying disqualificationYes
- Federal elderly/disabled gross-income exemptionApplies
- MiCAP for SSI recipients (no separate interview required)Yes
- CTE student pathway (Career and Technical Education)Yes
Verified: May 7, 2026
| Household size | Max monthly gross income (200% FPL) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,610 |
| 2 | $3,526 |
| 3 | $4,442 |
| 4 | $5,360 |
| 5 | $6,276 |
| 6 | $7,194 |
| 7 | $8,112 |
| 8 | $9,030 |
| Each additional person | +$918 |
Verified: May 7, 2026
How Michigan's Double Up Food Bucks doubles your Bridge Card on fresh produce
If you have a Michigan Bridge Card, you are automatically eligible for Double Up Food Bucks — a state-funded program that matches Bridge Card spending on fruits and vegetables dollar-for-dollar. In the FY2026 state budget, the Michigan Legislature appropriated $5 million for Double Up through a grant administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), continuing a public-private partnership with Detroit-based nonprofit Fair Food Network (Fair Food Network, January 2026).
Double Up operates at 240+ participating grocery stores, farmers markets, corner stores, and farm stands across Michigan, with reach into Grand Rapids, Lansing, northern Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula. The match is automatic at checkout: when you spend Bridge Card dollars on fresh or frozen produce with no added salt, sugar, or fat, an equal amount loads onto a Double Up card (or prints as a token at farmers markets) for use on more produce on a future visit. When the U.S. Department of Agriculture paused November 2025 SNAP issuance during the federal government shutdown, MDARD and Fair Food Network expanded Double Up: daily earn caps were lifted, the 90-day expiration on earnings was suspended, and a $40 Bonus Bucks voucher that did not require a SNAP-matched purchase was distributed at participating locations (MDARD, October 29, 2025). From November 1 through December 31, 2025, Fair Food Network distributed more than $2 million in Bonus Bucks and registered more than 4,000 new shoppers — a record for the program (Fair Food Network, January 9, 2026).
What this means for your Food Assistance Program benefits in Michigan:
- Pick up a Double Up card the first time you shop. Ask the cashier or market manager at any participating site, or call the Double Up hotline at 866-586-2796 (Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET). There is no separate income test or application — your Bridge Card is your eligibility.
- Frozen produce counts year-round. The expansion to frozen fruits and vegetables (no added salt, sugar, or fat) made the program useful at any participating grocery store outside farmers market season — including Spartan Nash's Family Fare and VG's stores at more than 35 locations statewide.
- Earn limit is lifted; spend on a 90-day clock. The pre-shutdown daily $20 earn cap remains lifted through 2026, so you can earn and spend without per-day restrictions. Earnings expire 90 days from the date you earn them, so check your card balance regularly and use older earnings first.
- Find a participating site before you go. Retailer coverage varies sharply by region. Search the location finder at doubleupfoodbucks.org before your trip — driving past a non-participating store costs you the match.
Verified: May 7, 2026
Expedited SNAP — Benefits Within 7 Days
You may qualify for FAP benefits within 7 days of applying if any one of these applies:
- Your household’s gross monthly income is ≤ $150 and liquid resources are ≤ $100
- Your combined income and liquid resources are less than your monthly rent/mortgage + utilities
- You are a migrant or seasonal farmworker who is destitute with ≤ $100 in liquid resources
Tell your MDHHS caseworker when you file your application if you believe you qualify for expedited processing. Benefits are retroactive to your application date.
Verified: May 7, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Michigan’s SNAP program is officially called the Food Assistance Program (FAP). Both “FAP” and “SNAP” are used on state forms and websites — they refer to the same program. Benefits load monthly onto a Michigan Bridge Card, which works like a debit card at grocery stores, farmers markets, and participating online retailers statewide (including Amazon, Walmart, Earth Fare, and Aldi). Manage your card, check your balance, or report it lost or stolen by calling 1-888-678-8914 (24/7, Spanish and Arabic available; TTY: 711) or visiting ebtedge.com.
Standard processing takes up to 30 days. If you qualify for expedited FAP, you can receive benefits within 7 days of applying. Benefits are retroactive to your application date regardless of when they arrive — apply as soon as possible, even if your application is incomplete.
Yes. Apply at MI Bridges, available 24 hours a day. MI Bridges supports multiple languages including Spanish and Arabic. You can also apply in person at your local MDHHS county office, call 1-844-464-3447 for MDHHS assistance, or get free phone help through the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) — request a callback by clicking “Send” on the MI Bridges landing page and someone will call within 2 business days. TTY users call 7-1-1.
For most households — no. Michigan uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which eliminates the asset test for nearly all households. You are not required to report savings, vehicles, or property when applying. The exception: households where a member has an Intentional Program Violation (IPV), a qualifying employment and training disqualification (head of household only), or a fleeing felon disqualification may face federal asset limits of $3,000 (or $4,500 if the household includes a member age 60+ or with a disability). Your MDHHS caseworker will determine which rules apply to your household.
Michigan’s gross income limit is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) under BBCE — significantly higher than the standard federal 130% limit. For FY2026 (effective October 1, 2025): $2,610/month for a household of 1 and $5,360/month for a household of 4. Households with an elderly (60+) or disabled member are exempt from the gross income test entirely under federal SNAP law — they need only pass the net income test at 100% FPL (e.g., $2,679/month for a household of 4). Net income limits still apply to all households. Use our SNAP calculator for your specific household size.
Standard federal SNAP student rules apply in Michigan: students aged 18–49 enrolled at least half-time must meet a work or program exception to receive FAP. Standard qualifying exceptions include working 20 or more hours per week, participating in federal or state work-study, caring for a child under age 6, or meeting another qualifying exemption. Michigan-specific: low-income college students enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs may have an additional eligibility pathway under state rules. Contact your local MDHHS county office or call 1-844-464-3447 to ask about CTE student eligibility in your situation.
Self-employment income counts toward FAP/SNAP eligibility, but you can deduct verified business expenses (supplies, mileage, equipment) from your gross self-employment income. Bring your most recent tax return or a detailed record of income and expenses to your interview. Your MDHHS caseworker will calculate your countable self-employment income. Note: unpaid self-employment (in-kind work) also counts toward the SNAP work requirement for ABAWDs.
Michigan implemented expanded SNAP work requirements under H.R. 1 (OBBBA), effective March 1, 2026 — later than most states because Michigan had a federal TLFA waiver through February 28, 2026.
Who must meet the requirement: Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) — adults aged 18–64 with no child under age 14 in the household who are able to work — must complete at least 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, or approved activity to maintain FAP beyond 3 months in a 36-month period.
Who is waived (not subject to work requirements):
- Residents of Bay City, Detroit, Eastpointe, Flint, Jackson, and Saginaw
- Residents of these 15 counties: Alcona, Alger, Arenac, Cheboygan, Iosco, Iron, Luce, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Roscommon, and Schoolcraft
- Native Americans (deferral protections apply)
How to meet the requirement: paid or unpaid employment (including self-employment and in-kind work), Self-Initiated Community Service (SICS) at a nonprofit, or participation in a Michigan Works! Agency (MWA) employment and training program.
Log in to MI Bridges to report work activity, or call 1-844-464-3447 if you have a disability, care for a child under age 14, or otherwise cannot meet the requirement.
MiCAP (Michigan Combined Application Project) is a simplified Food Assistance Program designed for people who receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and have no other income. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, a Michigan resident, not institutionalized, and buy and prepare food separately from others (or be too disabled to do so).
MiCAP has several advantages over the standard FAP application: your SSI interview counts as your MiCAP interview — no separate interview needed. You don’t need to provide copies of personal documents, and you only need to report changes to Social Security (not MDHHS directly). The exception: you must report lottery or gambling winnings of $4,500 or more to MDHHS by the 10th of the following month.
Benefits are loaded onto a Michigan Bridge Card. For more information, call the MiCAP line at 877-522-8050 or ask your local MDHHS county office about MiCAP when you apply for SSI or FAP.