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WASHINGTON – During an affordability crisis, families across the nation are reeling from high inflation, record debt, and a surge in debt collection lawsuits. State exemption laws can provide a critical safeguard. But a National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) report finds that Michigan still fails to meet any one of the five basic standards for consumer protection. A case before Michigan’s Supreme Court, however, has the potential to change this.

The Michigan Poverty Law Program recently filed amicus briefs in two cases before Michigan’s Supreme Court that will have a significant impact on the state’s low-income consumers.

On July 4, President Trump signed the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), or H.R. 1, which is a budget law that makes big changes to immigrant and refugee access to public benefits. A few days later, multiple federal agencies issued notices related to the interpretation of “federal public benefit” under the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA).

Together these federal changes aim to restrict eligibility for programs that were previously available to immigrant communities. This overview describes how and when these changes will impact Michiganders.

In 2024, 15% of Michiganders (about 1.47 million residents) received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Contact:

Elly Jordan, ejordan@mplp.org, (616) 726-1692

Jacob T. Fallman, jfallman@sugarlaw.org, (313) 993-4505 ext. 7