Michigan Senate votes to issue food stamps twice a month

from M Live

The state Senate has voted to make Michigan the first state in the nation to issue food stamps twice a month.

Supporters say the bill would make fresh food more available throughout the month and help grocery stores with their inventory.

Michigan's 1.2 million food stamp recipients have their benefits added to a debit card once a month, early in the month. That causes a rush to grocery The bill passed the Senate on a 35-2 vote Wednesday and was sent to the House, where similar legislation is pending.

The state is surveying food stamp recipients to find out how a switch would affect them.

A potential obstacle is Congress, which is negotiating a farm bill that could ban states from changing food stamp distribution from once a month.

The food stamp bills are House Bill 4923 and Senate Bill 120.