LANSING, MI -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced federal approval Thursday for a food program that will provide families of an estimated 895,000 students in Michigan with funds to ensure nutritious food is available to them during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program is available to Michigan families with students ages 5-18 who are enrolled in the Michigan Department of Education program that provides free and reduced-price school meals, according to a press release from the state.

“I am proud that Michigan is the first state to receive federal approval for this program to put healthy food on the table for families that need them,” Whitmer said. “The spread of COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our state. My administration will continue to work around the clock to help Michiganders through this difficult time and slow the spread of this virus.”

Approximately $172 million a month will go to Michigan families who qualify for the program. The benefits will be distributed via an Electronic Benefits Transaction (EBT) card that will be loaded with $193.80 per eligible student per month for the months of March and April. The card will then be loaded with $182.40 per student to cover May and June.

However, if you do not currently have an EBT card, you will have to wait for the card to arrive in the mail. Officials say you should receive a letter in the mail next week with instructions on how to use the card. The cards are expected to arrive at your home by the first week of May.

For those who currently receive EBT benefits, the funds will be added to your card automatically in the next week or so, the state announced. The payments will be a staggered over the course of 10 days.

“Children should never go hungry. Yet because of COVID-19, it is a risk unlike at any time in generations,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “I am glad that Michigan will be the first state to deliver SNAP benefits to families that previously received free or reduced-price lunches, whether or not they were SNAP-eligible. In a time of terrible need, it will be a small, good thing for nearly a million Michigan children.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said other states will also have the opportunity to submit plans to receive similar assistance. Perdue went on to call the situation “unprecedented” and said the federal government is continuing to work on ways to assist families during the crisis.

"During these unprecedented times in the United States, President Trump has authorized a whole of America approach to tackling the coronavirus, and by authorizing pandemic EBT in the state of Michigan, we are able to ensure the Americans who need food the most are able to get it,” Perdue said in a press release. “This is a challenging time for many people right now, and we are working every day to ensure all Americans have access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food to feed themselves and their families.”

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.

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