SNAP

[Debi Mazzola]

I have had Celiac disease along with DH skin condition my whole life. I got so sick from Celiac, other autoimmune issues and living 20 years in Louisiana that I had to retire/disability from teaching. My disability pension is so small that my son who also has Celiac qualified for SNAP benefits - $300 per month. In March I moved back to my native state and applied for SNAP and was told that I could only receive $112 SNAP benefits. My income didn't change. I don't know how I am going to survive and feed my son. Does anyone know of a program or resource that could help me be able to purchase gluten free foods. I also don't understand how two states can come up with different calculations. When I asked the DCS worker in Michigan, she told me that Michigan is a poor state. All I know iss Louisiana is 49th in everything. Any advice, options, suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[cyclinglady]

I am sorry that your SNAP benefits were reduced when you moved back to Michigan.  Perhaps you can contact a food bank.  You can also contact a local Michigan Celiac Disease group for possible help.  
 

Buying processed gluten free food is expensive, no doubt.  Look for real food like beans, rice, vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, nuts, seeds, etc.  Those should be found at a food bank.  
 

Finally, ask again.  Maybe the DCS worker made a mistake.  

[Scott Adams]

Good news, you need to re-apply but be sure to include covid-19 as a cause for your current situation...if that’s true of course, and certainly it could be:

”A household with two adults, three children and no income can receive the maximum benefit of $768, a 40% increase according to the USDA, under these emergency benefits. ”

Source: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/05/26/food-stamps-snap-benefits-extended-coronavirus/5259178002/

[Awol cast iron stomach]

Not sure what part of MI you are in perhaps this link will help with a food pantry to help supplement your shopping .

https://nationalceliac.org/the-gluten-free-food-bank/

https://nationalceliac.org/pantrydirectory/listing/shimmys-cupboard

This one also may be good to help you get started

https://marjiespantry.com/

My mother in law says MI often has church groups that provide foods including whole foods. COVID may have limited this though as many groups had to halt the way they delivered/served before. Or had to limit hours etc.

 

https://www.navigateresources.net/uwse/MatchList.aspx?k;;0;;N;0;0;Special Diet Food

https://www.foodgatherers.org/?module=Page&class=Pantries

Hopefully this can get you started. If you are in a county that none of my links would apply perhaps someone at these agencies will have some info for a neighboring county.

The link below can redirect you If this links area/county does not apply to you (scroll all the way down to find additional towns you can click on to get redirected to that area)

https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/mi-hudsonville

Is you son school age? If so contact the public school/district you are enrolling him in. Some schools in the Midwest  are still providing lunch meals over summer to currently enrolled students with free and reduced lunch plans. This will help you feed him. (take some pressure off) if MI is also doing this too.

Good luck