Aidpage

Additional Resources and detailed answers to common questions will also be available at http://www.BridgeCard.com and for those that Already qualify for the Michigan Bridge Card at http://www.MyBridgeCard.com wich can aslo be found now on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mybridgecard

Good News for those in Michigan that are struggling to make ends meet and cover the growing cost of groceries but have a hard time getting answers to questions and help. Sponsoring companies of http://www.MyBridgeCard.com that offers free products, free delivery, and promotional cash drawings for those that qualify for assistance in Michigan, confirmed that they now own the domain   http://www.BridgeCard.com ,recently purchased from a group in China. Although in development, Bridgecard.com will be a complete resource site for those that are in need of food assistance in Michigan.

This will allow the separating the online community of MyBridgeCard.com for those that already receive help and the growing Facebook community at http://www.facebook.com/mybridgecard ,sponsored by non-profits and other food companies such as http://www.GourmetFoodsOutlet.com .Expect to see answers to common questions, tools to help those out of work, underemployed, seniors, and students see if they qualify for assistance, and also be able to apply online, from my understanding.

I was told they are getting a lot of questions about changes in benefit dates and SNAP (formally the Food Stamp program) approved changing benefit dates for most recipients throughout the month instead of just at the beginning of the month in Michigan.

The most common questions seem to be – If I work do I still qualify for assistance in Michigan? Can I get help or a Bridge Card if I receive unemployment Benefits until they call me back to work? What do I do if I applied for help but was denied? Are there other programs available for those in Michigan that can’t get a Bridge Card? And – What do I do if I lost my Bridge Card or cannot reach my case worker? 

Additional resources will be federal program information, state resource links, program changes, DHS office and contact information, and food banks throughout Michigan. Additional resources are expected to be available for those that may be having a challenge meeting their grocery need but do not qualify for assistance under current guidelines. I'll Keep you posted when there's more to report.

For those that receive food assistance with the Michigan Bridge Card - there are more changes in store for the new year other than their resolutions.

The decision has been made to change EBT or Electronic benifit payment dates formally from the third of the month to the tenth to extend from the third to the twently first. Proponants of the change (primarily lagre grocery chains) support the change because it spreads recipient purchases over several weeks instead of in the first ten days of the month, allowing more consistant staffing and less losses due to spoilage or excess inventory.

The dates those with a Bridge Card will receive their benifits will be determined by the last number of their recipient I.D number and for most will changed each month untill the end of the year progressing one day per month untill staggered from the 3rd to the 21st. http://mybridgecard.blogspot.com .

You may remember reading that Michigan was considering becomming the first state to divide recipient payments into two monthly installments - but under the new plan those that qualify for food assistance will receive their benefits in one lump-sum a consern for some that usually buy food in bulk for additional savings which would be more of a challenge if the ammount receive on their Michgan EBT Card were to be divided.

According to the online communities that offer additional services or resouces to those that qualify for assistance http://www.facebook.com/mybridgecard sponsored by http://www.mybridgecard.com the change has resulted with mixed responces and "an increased number of private messages" from those with questions and confusion as some mistakedly use their case number instead of their recipient I.D number to calculate their new payment dates.

Time will tell if this change offers more solutions than confusion and even more calls to an already overworked case workers with large caseloads. If you receive a food stamp benefits or are a grocery retailer - post your oppinion of the changes here and let us know.  

mybridgecard.com has recenlty added more links sites for healthy eating and fun interractive games for the kids - but will soon be updating with a members area, allowing those the join more interaction. Also the site will be updated to make finding information on how to apply for a Bridge Card , Bridge Card qualifications, and commonly asked questions. For those that ALREADY have a bridge card - the drawing entries will be easier to navigate, and at the request of several participants - a list of recent winners and their prizes will be published (at their individual discression). Please note - because of the poularinty of the program, they will not have time to contunually check the information you entered for accuracy, so you'll want to make sure your are not disqualified from receiving your cash, prizes, or gift cards - simply because your contact information is out of date (hopefully this will also be make easier to update when the site updates are completed) a side note: some winners received Walmart Gift cards - but i understand that they're looking into gifting Visa gift cards in the future - will update this post when/if it happens. A final note - for the Free home Delivery service if you already have a Bridge Card - you must call the outlet GFO directly at their toll free number 1-877-OUTLET-9 (or 1-877-688-5389)to see if you are in their delivery areas. Please do not message me about the delivery service as i'd just have to call them and call you back anyway.

If you Have a Michigan Bridge Card - you can now enter drawings for free gift cards, and prizes at www.mybridgecard.com . (to win - as the drawings are random and are held at the end of each month - the sooner ya sign up the more chances you have to win. I've met a few ppl on Mlive that have won wal-mart gift cards, and a couple that won resturant gift cerfificates, but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed to win some too.)

You may aslo qualify for free home delivery of food by www.gourmetfoodsoutlet.com .  (If you are in one of their delivery areas - please tell them MsMichigan from Mlive told you about them - their website looks like it's just getting started - but i know they've been delivering to Flint, Saginaw, and some places up north like Clare and Harrison for years, can't remember if it shows their toll-free number on the site - but it's on the picture I copied from one of their ads below.)

When you go to www.mybridgecard.com - be sure to visit the links provided to answer your questions about how to apply for a bridge card, and qualifications - if you do not have one.

Links are also provided for my pyramid, dhs, healthy eating habbits, excersie, and several interractive games for the little ones.

If you are a Student - be sure to see if you qualify for assistance.

Additional programs specifically for seniors can also be found at MiCafe .org to help.