Federal work requirements have officially been reinstated for "able-bodied" adults to receive food assistance in Michigan.
As of Oct. 1, adults ages 18 to 49 without dependents who are currently unemployed will have three months of provided food assistance within a 36-month period before those benefits are cut off.
The federal work requirements have been waived since 2002 in Michigan due to high unemployment rates, but were reinstated in waves across the state.
An “able-bodied” adult, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is anyone who is between the ages of 18 to 49, does not have a disability and does not have dependents.
They can meet the reinstated work requirements to receive food assistance by:
- Working an average of 20 hours per week each month in unsubsidized employment.
- Participating for an average of 20 hours per week each month in an approved employment and training program.
- Participating in community service by volunteering at a nonprofit organization.
Approximately 16,000 people in the state are affected by this change, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
In a statement released to 7 Action News in 2017, MDHHS said that the "phasing out" of work requirements "goes along with the MDHHS goal of assisting Michiganders in finding employment to achieve self-sufficiency, end generational poverty and realize their dreams.”
For more information on food assistance requirements visit www.michigan.gov/foodassistance.
