LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that public assistance benefits and Medicaid will not be impacted in February despite the ongoing partial federal government shutdown.
According to the MDHHS, state residents can still apply for and receive Medicaid and public assistance benefits, which do receive federal dollars but are administered by the department.
“Programs that feed Michigan residents are a primary concern of the State of Michigan, and we have heard misinformation being spread about the immediate impact of the shutdown," MDHHS Deputy Director of Field Operations Terrence Beurer said in a release. "We want people to know that MDHHS is prepared to continue to provide this assistance and that funding remains in place through the end of February.”
While they won't be affected in February, there has been no official determination for March benefits.
The breakdown and updates by program can be found below:
- Food Assistance Program: MDHHS issued February food assistance payments early beginning on Jan. 17. The federal government asked states to issue the assistance early to ensure that February funding would be available to be issued. Recipients do not need to redeem their benefits in January and MDHHS is urging them to budget their food assistance benefits so they can meet their food needs through the entire month of February.
- WIC: Benefits, which include nutritious food for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5, are funded for the month of February and are being distributed according to the normal schedule.
- Medical assistance, including Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan: Programs are funded through Sept. 30, 2019, the end of the current fiscal year.
- Cash assistance: Funding is in place for January and February.
- State Emergency Relief: Funding for energy-related services such as heating assistance is in place to provide benefits through Sept. 30, 2019. Funding for non-energy-related services – such as home repairs and burials – is in place for January and February.
- Child Development and Care (child care assistance): Funding is in place through the end of April.
Those people who use Bridge Cards to redeem their food and cash assistance and WIC benefits can still do so in January and February.
According to the MDHHS, state government generally can operate seamlessly during a federal shutdown for about 45 days. Now, Gov. Whitmer's office and the department are assessing the impact beyond the 45 days into March.
