Food assistance trafficking is the buying and selling of food assistance for cash or items not authorized under the Food Stamp Act of 1977.

Some retailers violate the Food Assistance Program by accepting food assistance for cash at less than par value or unauthorized items such as tobacco, alcohol, etc.

Some examples of food assistance trafficking are the selling of food assistance for cash at less than face value, or the exchange of food assistance for contraband such as drugs or weapons.

In Michigan, the Bridge Card is the only way to receive food assistance.

The Bridge Card is used for redeeming food assistance and cash assistance through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system. The EBT system is not a change in policy for receiving food assistance; it only changes the way assistance is delivered. Electronic issuance is done via an authorized ATM or at a point of sale device at an authorized retail store.

Who to report food assistance trafficking to:

If you suspect that a client is trafficking his/her food assistance, please fill out the OIG Client Complaint form to report it.

If you suspect that a business is buying food assistance for cash or contraband such as drugs or weapons, or non-food items, please fill out the OIG Business Client form to report it.