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BAM 401E 3 of 34 ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER ISSUANCE SYSTEM BPB 2026-019 8-1-2026

BRIDGES ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

• It is prohibited to use cash assistance to purchase lottery tickets, alcohol, or tobacco. Cash assistance grants cannot be used for gambling, illegal activities, massage parlors, spas, tattoo shops, bail-bond agencies, adult entertainment, or cruise ships. • Clients who purchase any beverages, in any type of container with a deposit, who dump the contents out and return the containers for the deposit, may be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits. • People who break SNAP rules may be disqualified from the program, fined, put in prison, or all three; and must repay the SNAP benefits. EBT authorized retailers are also provided with training and are required to understand and comply with all federal and state guidelines for EBT acceptance. Retailers interested in accepting the Bridge Card for SNAP benefits purchases must be authorized by FNA. BRIDGE CARD ISSUANCE

Head of Household FIS issues Bridge cards to the program head of household (HOH), unless there is a third-party payee/protective payee for the cash program. The Bridge card is then issued to both the HOH and the third-party payee/protective payee. Bridge cards are automatically mailed by FIS for: • Head of Household changes. • New case openings when a Bridge card has not previously been issued for the same recipient identification number. Note: If a Bridge card has previously been issued for the HOH’s recipient identification number and the client no longer has the card, they must contact FIS to request a replacement card, or a local office over-the-counter card can be issued. Clients will receive the Bridge cards and card mailer with basic information two to five days after the case opening. The DHS-Pub- 322, How to Use Your Michigan Bridge Card, pamphlet will be sent to clients with initial Bridge cards. In the event an initial over-the