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BEM 100 3 of 18 INTRODUCTION BPB 2026-014 5-1-2026
BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
level. Within USDA, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has specific responsibility for the administration of FAP. FNS, in turn, delegates actual day-to-day administration of the program to state agencies. Michigan participates in the program in accordance with a State Plan of Operations. This serves as an agreement with FNS to administer the program in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL), Michigan Administrative Code (MAC) and federal court orders. These sources are the legal base for all policies and procedures. These are cited at the end of each manual item. Program Goal The purpose of the Food Assistance Program (FAP) is to raise the food purchasing power of low-income persons because limited food purchasing power contributes to hunger and malnutrition. Persons eligible for FAP, receive benefits based on net income and the size of the group, to increase the food purchasing power of the eligible household who apply for participation. FAP benefits are not considered income or assets for Cash, MA or CDC. Therefore, any other assistance for which a Food Assistance group qualifies must not be reduced because of the group's receipt of food assistance benefits. Authorized Purchases Food assistance benefits can be used to buy eligible food at any FNS authorized retail food store or approved meal provider. Eligible food includes: • Any food or food product intended for human consumption except alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and hot food prepared for immediate consumption. • Seeds and plants to grow food for personal consumption. • Meals prepared by organizations approved by FNS as specified below. • Meals prepared and served to eligible residents by a Substance Abuse Treatment Center, a Shelter for Battered Women and Children or an Adult Foster Care (AFC) Home. Retail food stores include: