How to Apply for the Bridge Card in Michigan for EBT Food Benefits

The Bridge card in Michigan, or Michigan EBT card,  is used for for both Food Stamps (FAP) and cash benefit programs, under the general umbrella of the Bridges program. Families that qualify can apply for and receive a card for use with either of these programs.  The card works just like a debit card for qualified purchases.

The Michigan Assistance and Referral Service ( MARS ) can help you find out if you qualify for the card.

To obtain and use the Michigan Bridge EBT card, you should take the following steps:

Steps to Apply for the Bridge Card In Person:

1. Contact your local Michigan Department of Human Services office to obtain an application for FIP cash and/or food stamp services. To locate the office, you can look in the County Government Section in the telephone book, or use this online Michigan DHS office locator.  You can also download the application onlne to save time. 

2. You can arrange to pick your card up in the office, or receive it via mail.
3. When you receive the card, sign the back panel. If you choose to receive your card in the mail, you may need to call their Help Desk at 1-888-678-8914 to register the card.  To set your PIN (Personal Identification Number) you can go to a designated county location that has PIN selection equipment and select a PIN. Or, you can call the toll-free Customer Service Center at 1-888-678-8914 to select another PIN through their Automated Response Unit. You'll need your card number, the social security number of the person that requested the card, as well as their date of birth.
4. If you obtained the card for food stamp benefits, you can then use your EBT card at participating stores to purchase food.
5. With the FIP cash assistance program, you may use the card to withdraw cash and make purchases at participating stores.  A list of ATM's that allow withdrawals for cash assistance is available in this area of the MI DHS website.
6. Additional questions and answers are available at the Michigan DHS website.

Steps to Apply for the Bridge Card Online

1. Michigan has a new website that will allow you to apply online for the Michigan Bridge Card.
2. The first step is to determine if you are eligible:  Try the MARS Self-Assesment.
3. The next step is to apply for the Bridge Card online.   During this step, you'll also be creating your login and password, which you will need later to check the status of your case application.
4. You can check the status of your application online. Make sure you have your login and password from step #3 above.

If you need help with the online application, there's an overview page available.

Other sources of assistance:

Aside from the Michigan Bridge card, there are other programs, including local food pantries and private help organizations like the Angel Food Ministries program. You can contact your church or any community action agency to locate these local food pantries.

Angel Food Ministries are available in every state. You can buy boxes of food for a nominal fee of about $30. No minimum income limits apply to their program. Angel Food Ministries runs a website with more information that can found at angelfoodministries.com

Other helpful areas on our site: 

• Help with Debt Reduction
• Low Income Assistance
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