LANSING – Michigan's continuing improvement in administering the federal Food Stamp Program – called Food Assistance in Michigan –has resulted in the state obtaining federal approval to reinvest more than $6 million that could have been a fine paid from state funds.

The U.S. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) evaluates states' performance administering the federal Food Stamp Program. Michigan improved its performance in administering the program in 2004 and the state requested permission to reinvest rather than pay the "at risk" amount for past performance.

The FNS approved Michigan's request Oct. 19, allowing the Department of Human Services to continue investing the $6 million in improvements that have been successful in reducing calculation errors from as high as 17.7 percent in 1998. The program is now 92 percent accurate.

"These initiatives include developing our Technical Assistance Team, training and conferences for our staff and technology enhancements," Udow said. "Together, these are the tools we have used to bring our program back into the national norm in terms of program errors.

"Because of this action, here is more than $6 million that Michigan taxpayers will not have to return to Washington."

Michigan's Food Assistance Program is funded by federal funds and state-administered through the Department of Human Services. When we are assessed a penalty, the payment comes out of the state's general fund money. In September there were 491,274 households and more than 1 million residents receiving Food Assistance benefits in Michigan.