The main Michigan food stamps phone number is 855-275-6424 (855-ASK-MICH), which reaches the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for anything involving your Food Assistance Program case. For Bridge Card problems like a lost card, a forgotten PIN, or a balance check, call 888-678-8914 instead. To report suspected benefit fraud, the number is 855-643-7283 (855-MI-FRAUD). Which one you dial matters, because the lines are staffed by different teams and only one of them can see your case file.
MDHHS Food Assistance: 855-275-6424
Call 855-275-6424 for anything tied to your case rather than your card. That includes application status, benefit amounts, recertification deadlines, household changes, and help filling out the application itself.1Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. MDHHS-1171, Assistance Application The contact center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.2Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Contact MDHHS
Hold times run longest on Mondays and in the days right after benefits are issued. Mid-week, early afternoon, is usually the quietest. Once you’re through, the representative can update your electronic case, explain a change to your benefits, or tell you what verification is still outstanding for your next recertification.
If your household is in a food emergency, say so at the start of the call. You may qualify for expedited processing, which puts benefits on your card within seven days of application instead of the usual 30 if your household has less than $100 in liquid resources and less than $150 in gross monthly income, or if your combined monthly income and liquid resources fall below your monthly rent and utilities.3Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Eligibility Flagging it up front gives the representative the chance to route your application for expedited review.
Bridge Card Customer Service: 888-678-8914
The Bridge Card line is a separate 24-hour number that handles anything to do with the EBT card itself.4Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Payment – Bridge Card Call 888-678-8914 to:
- Report a lost or stolen card and request a replacement
- Set or change your PIN
- Check your food or cash benefit balance
- Report suspected unauthorized use of your card
- Find nearby locations that accept the Bridge Card
Because it runs around the clock, you can lock down a stolen card right away instead of waiting for business hours. Replacement cards generally arrive by mail within 5 to 10 business days. If benefits were actually stolen from your card through EBT fraud, contact your local MDHHS office directly so staff can open an investigation.5Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Food Assistance – Payment
Reporting Fraud: 855-643-7283
To report suspected food assistance fraud, call 855-MI-FRAUD (855-643-7283). The line reaches the MDHHS Office of Inspector General, which investigates benefit misuse, and complaints can also be filed online through the same portal.6Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Welfare Fraud Tracking Anonymous tips are accepted. Confirmed fraud can lead to disqualification from the program, repayment of improperly received benefits, and referral of delinquent debts to the U.S. Treasury for collection, including through federal tax refund offsets.7Food and Nutrition Service. Information Collection: Federal Claims Collection Methods for SNAP Recipient Claims
What to Have Ready Before You Call
A short list of items keeps the call short and keeps you from being told to call back. For the MDHHS case line, pull together:
- Your Social Security number
- Your MDHHS case number, which appears on official mail such as a Notice of Case Action
- Recent pay stubs or other income documents if you’re calling about a benefit change
For the Bridge Card line, have the card number from the front of the card ready. If the card is lost or stolen, your Social Security number helps the automated system verify you. For a fraud report, bring as much specific detail about the person and the activity as you can, though you don’t have to identify yourself.
When You Don’t Need to Call At All
A lot of what people phone about can be done faster online through MI Bridges at newmibridges.michigan.gov. You can apply for benefits, upload verification documents, check your case status, and report household changes without waiting on hold.8MI Bridges. MI Bridges You’ll need a MILogin account first.
If you’d rather have a person walk you through the application, the Food Bank Council of Michigan takes callbacks. Through MI Bridges, you can share your contact information and a representative will call you back within two business days. That option tends to work well for first-time applicants who aren’t sure what to gather.
One boundary worth knowing: appeals of a denial or benefit reduction aren’t handled through these phone numbers. A fair hearing is requested in writing by submitting form DHS-18 to your local MDHHS office.9Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules for MDHHS If you call 855-275-6424 about an adverse decision, the representative can explain the notice but can’t reverse it over the phone.