LANSING, Mich. — Michigan has been approved to receive $741.6 million in food assistance for children who depend on free or reduced-price school lunches, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
We’re told the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted access to school lunches for roughly 810,000 children.
“The last thing that families should have to worry about during a pandemic is feeding their children,” says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “That’s why it’s so important that the legislature passes the COVID recovery plan I put forward that provides an additional $2.1 billion in food assistance as well as the much-needed support for vaccine distribution, small businesses, and getting our kids back in the classroom safely."
We’re told families will receive approximately $127 per month for every child that is eligible and does not attend in-person classes and attends a fully virtual school. The MDHHS says roughly $77 a month will be provided for every eligible student who attends a school with a hybrid-learning model.
Health officials say benefits are contingent upon the number of school days present every month.
We’re told payments will be automatic and do not require an application. The first payment is expected to be issued late March.
Click here for more information.
