Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires participants of food assistance programs to have their signature and photo on their card in Michigan.

Highlights:

• Amends Michigan's Social Welfare Act to require that a recipient of food or cash assistance benefits must have their photo and signature on any Michigan Bridge Card they are issued (Sec. 14k).

• Specifies that if a maximum of 2 people are authorized to use the card, photos and signatures of both individuals are required to appear on it (Sec. 14k).

• Specifies that to be eligible for Michigan's Food Assistance Program, Michiganders must be the following, according to MI Bridges (Sec. 14k):

• Struggling to cover food expenses for your household;

• Have little to no income and are struggling to cover household expenses; and

• Are a migrant or seasonal farmworker whose income has stopped.

• Specifies that to be eligible for Michigan's Cash Assistance Program, Michiganders must (Sec. 14k):

• Have a child in your household that is under the age of 18, or is 18-years-old and attending high school;

• Are pregnant or parents of a child in foster care who is expected to return home within one year from date of application;

• Are 65 or older, or permanently or temporarily disabled, or taking care of a person with a disability in your household; and

• Are receiving disability benefits and have a child under the age of 18 in your household

• Specifies that a decision on eligibility for either the Food Assistance or Cash Assistance Programs can be determined in 30 to 60 days (Sec. 14k).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 14k).

Full Bill Text