People have to work 20-hours a week to receive food assistance in Michigan. Work requirements are being reinstated for able-bodied adults without dependents.
At the beginning of the year, the state Department of Health and Human Services changed work requirements in four Michigan counties.
Now they have sent the word to ten more counties including Grand Traverse.
Bob Wheaton is with the MDHHS.
“For a number of years Michigan and other states, due to the unemployment rates in the states, had a waiver from work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents who received food assistance.”
Wheaton said with the improving economy and unemployment rate Michigan is no longer eligible to waive work requirements.
He said as of January first, all able bodied people with no dependents in Michigan will have three months begin working a minimum of 20 hours a week each month in order to receive food assistance.
More information on food assistance work requirements can be found here.