Three Food Assistance applicants have filed a lawsuit challenging the Michigan Department of Human Services’ delays in processing Food Assistance Program (FAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) applications and issuing FAP benefits to eligible households.   They are asking the court to enforce federal statutes and regulations that set time limits for processing applications and providing Food Assistance.  The applicants, who are represented by the Center for Civil Justice and the National Center on Law and Economic Justice, filed the class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Detroit.  Motions for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction, and for Class Certification, are pending. 

“Expedited” Food Assistance must be provided within 7 days to households with very little income and assets, or with monthly housing expenses that exceed monthly income.  There is a 30 day limit for other application to be processed, and assistance provided to eligible households. 

More than 40% of expedited Food Assistance applications and more than 35% of regular Food Assistance applications were not processed timely during the first quarter of Fiscal year 2010.  More than half of pending applications are overdue.

Michigan will receive more than 2.6 billion dollars from the federal government this year to provide Food Assistance to more than 1.7 million individuals.  The federal government also pays 50% or more of Michigan’s administrative costs.

Food Assistance applicants experiencing delays, or others with questions about the Food Assistance Program can call CCJ’s Food and Nutrition Helpline at 1-(800) 481-4989.   Questions about the lawsuit may be directed to CCJ’s Saginaw office, at 1-(800) 724-7441.