The Michigan Bridge Card is a debit-like card that can be used to make food purchases at select convenience and grocery stores in the state. The state Department of Human Services, or DHS, issues the cards as part of its food-assistance program.

White is one of many college students who uses the Bridge Card to help ease some of the financial burdens of college.

As of April, 16.9 percent of individuals ages 18-25 received government assistance through the Bridge Card program.

The Bridge Card

The Bridge Card can be used only to make food purchases, with food stamps disbursed electronically once a month. The amount of assistance an individual or family receives varies based on needs, assets and expenses.

Beginning Oct. 1, a single person can receive no more than $172 per month. The minimum amount will be $14, according to DHS.

The Bridge Card replaced food-coupon booklets in 2000. The card allows the user more freedom to manage his or her money and eliminates the hassle of carrying a booklet.

The Bridge Card has helped eliminate some of the stigma associated with using government assistance, DHS spokesperson Colleen Steinman said — but many people still believe individuals and families who use the food assistance program are lazy and unmotivated.

“In fact, nearly one-third of all households that receive food assistance are working and reporting income,” Steinman said. “They simply don’t make enough money to pay all the bills.”

DHS uses an application process to determine eligibility, Steinman said. It can take up to 30 days to process but there is an emergency category for those who need it.

“We look at income, expenses, assets and other pertinent information and compare them against the specific program’s rules and policies,” Steinman said.

The application can be found online, at www.michigan.gov/dhs, or at the Ingham County DHS office, 5303 S. Cedar St. in Lansing.

Students and food assistance

In July, the DHS reported that 18 percent of all Michigan residents were receiving some form of assistance.

The state’s Food Assistance Program also set a record in July, with assistance being given to 604,863 households — representing 1,287,884 individuals.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a student or a working adult or a senior — we want everyone who qualifies for food assistance to have it,” Steinman said. “No one should go hungry, and this is an important program that helps people supplement their nutritional needs.”

In the past five years, the number of Michigan households receiving food stamps has increased 53 percent, according to a report by WSYM Fox 47 in Lansing.

“College students need to fuel their bodies, so their brains work better — and they can use education to pull themselves out of poverty and obtain the knowledge and training they need to become successful, self-sufficient adults,” Steinman said.

White said he has used government assistance for six months.

Because he’s a student, White’s work hours were limited to 20 hours per week, with most of his income being divided between rent and other bills.

“A lot of people forget that earning a degree is a full-time job in itself — and you don’t get paid for it,” he said. “Once you’re out of the dorms, the cost of food is coming out of your pockets.”

This reality spurred White to apply for food assistance. He was approved to receive the equivalent of $120 per month.

“At first I thought it was too much, but then I got to shopping and saw how fast things add up,” White said. “I spent the whole thing in one trip to the grocery store and it lasted for about a month.”

Applicants are certified for a period of one to 12 months. At the end of that period, their application is reviewed to see if their financial status has changed.

Since White worked more hours during the summer, the amount of food stamps he received was reduced to $16 monthly. He said he’s in the process of reapplying to raise his benefits.

“I can’t say I wasn’t upset but I can understand I wasn’t taking classes and I didn’t have a lot of responsibilities to worry about,” White said. “(DHS) depends on you to do some of it yourself.”

Shopping healthy

White said the Bridge Card pushes life skills and has made him a wiser shopper.

“It encouraged me to get away from fast foods — and honestly, I’ve never cooked as much as I did until I got (a card),” he said.

Michigan’s Food Stamp and Nutrition Education Program, based at MSU, can help those who haven’t learned how to shop for healthy foods by using the Bridge Card. The program is available in all 83 counties of Michigan.

The program was started with the goal of providing nutritional education to food stamp recipients, MSU program leader Karen Martin said.

Participants also learn how to stretch their food dollars, make healthy choices while shopping and learn the importance of physical activity, Martin said.

Last year, the program serviced 5,072 adults.

To get involved, students can visit Ingham County MSU Extension office, 5303 South Cedar St., in Lansing. Staff can meet with students in their home or with friends and neighbors.

“I would encourage (students) to get involved with the program because they will have research-based information to help them make informed food and physical activity choices that will promote their health and prevent the onset of disease,” Martin said.

“Most students don’t have a lot of money — and in this program they can learn how to make those choices without spending a lot of money.”