Successes

The Michigan P-EBT program distributed over $300 million to children in need by the end of May. This is an enormous help to families in a crisis. The speed at which these funds were disbursed has helped families put food on the table. Michigan DHHS was able to distribute P-EBT to 900,000 students through data matches, rather than an application process, and did not require anything of families. This coordination sped up the distribution process and ensured everyone who was eligible was able to receive their benefits.

Propel fielded a survey through Fresh EBT — a free smartphone app available to EBT cardholders — to better understand families experiences with the program. Fresh EBT allows SNAP recipients to track their EBT benefits, find retailers, and access a broad array of resources to improve financial health. It is used by over 3 million families across all 50 states and US territories.

This survey by Propel demonstrates that the P-EBT program has really made a difference for families. While 34.5% of SNAP users reported skipping meals nationwide, only 25.4% of P-EBT recipients in Michigan reported skipping meals. Though 34.3% of SNAP recipients reported relying on food pantries nationwide, only 29.4% of Michigan P-EBT recipients reported relying on food pantries. This suggests that P-EBT can reduce food insecurity for families.

P-EBT as a Lifeline for Families in Need

Many recipients mentioned in the Propel survey how important school meals had been for their kids, and that without P-EBT, they might not have been able to replace them. They emphasized how in this time of uncertainty, not having to worry about feeding their children was an enormous relief.

“It has helped us tremendously because without SNAP/P-EBT we probably wouldn’t have food to eat or we would have to choose between paying bills or eating.”

“This program allowed my children to eat the same amount of meals as they were while school was in session. You don’t realize how much that breakfast and lunch means until they are at home everyday and you have to provide it.”

“We haven't had to worry about the extra food that we had to buy because everyone was at home all day for 3 meals.”

“This resource during these trying times of need has given my family the necessary funds to buy groceries. It has given us the opportunity to stay on track with our bills.”

“It has meant everything even before the pandemic it was hard for my family to buy groceries so when I got snap during the pandemic I was grateful”

“It has truly been a blessing with me having 5 kids at home out of school it would have been very hard to feed them full time without the P-EBT”

“We are a family of 8, this program means everything to us. It helps us be able to put better food on the table for our kids and keeps them fed while not in school.”

P-EBT Filled in the Gaps from Unemployment Insurance

Recipients surveyed by Propel reported that P-EBT helped them keep food on the table as they waited to receive Unemployment Insurance (UI). The UI systems in many states were overwhelmed by the scale of job loss during the pandemic, and it often took weeks for the checks to arrive. P-EBT insured that families did not go hungry as they waited. This further highlights how the speed at which Michigan was able to implement the program was crucial to its success.

“It has been a great help to receive the benefit, especially with the children being out of school since March and I’ve been laid off work since March as well and I also had a hard time getting unemployment so at least I’ve been able to purchase food.”

“It means a lot knowing that without a job I’m still able to provide food for my kids throughout this whole pandemic”

“Having Snap benefits for my family has meant that we have not had to worry about where our next meal was coming from. This was critical over the past few months, because unemployment benefits were not issued in a timely manner and I was laid off from working.”

“It has helped my family a lot during the pandemic while I was off of work I did not have to feel like I had to worry about how my kids were going to eat.”

“It has meant that our kids can eat even when unemployment insurance was messed up.”

“Everything – I would not have been able to feed my family without it, we already have to choose between mortgage and electric[ity] at times.”

“This was a chance to get groceries and meet the due date on other bills to protect my credit rating and family’s future”

P-EBT Helped Recipients Buy Healthier Food

Many recipients mentioned how the additional funds helped them buy healthier food for their children. Instead of having to choose the cheapest options, they had the resources to provide their kids with balanced meals.

“P-ebt was a great help and help me feed my children healthy meals “

“It meant more meals daily without having to struggle and penny pinch to buy them. With the help of P-EBT we are able to have 3 healthy meals a day”

“[This program is] the difference between having a healthy meal and having to put together whatever we could find to make a meal. We wouldn't have been able to shelter at home during this pandemic if we didn't receive food assistance.”

“It really helped a lot as money got tight. We were still able to eat on a daily basis full balanced meals. That was well appreciated”

“It has meant access to quality meal choices for my children in the midst of this pandemic, taking one worry away and ensuring they have food to eat daily.”

“It has been a great benefit during these times, we haven’t run out of food. So far. And I can widen the selection of food for my children, ~vs~ limiting food choices.”

Recipients Hope P-EBT Will Continue

Many recipients mentioned that they hoped the program would continue since children are home during the summer. They hope they will be able to have access to additional resources to ensure their ongoing ability to put food on the table.

“It help[ed] me out a whole lot. I was to get enough food. I wish they extended it. Because it was a big help”

“It helps alot. just wish the extra pebt was still happening during the summer months too”

“P-EBT has been a tremendous help to us financially through the pandemic. Not having to worry about money for the kids was a relief. I just wish it continued through the summer.”