DEARBORN — A local senior citizen said she’s received some assistance following a story The Arab American News published last week that cited drastic food stamp cuts that were made by the state last year.

Hala Anne Brown, who resides at the Normandy Apartments on Michigan and Telegraph, said that since November, the state cut her food stamp benefits from $153 to just $16 a month. She would depend heavily on food assistance to purchase halal meat and fresh fruits from local grocery stores.

Brown said that due to lack of family support and lack of assistance from the community, she struggled on a day-to-day basis after she exhausted all of her options. Her $700 SSI income was not enough to help purchase food, as she was making payments on rent and car insurance. 

Brown said that she turned to the Islamic Center of America (ICA) in Dearborn for assistance but was told by a receptionist that the mosque only provides service during Ramadan. While she did receive more than $300 from the ICA during Ramadan last year, she said the comments came from the receptionist when she returned to the center for additional assistance a few months later.

The ICA confirmed that it did indeed assist Brown when she had originally filed an application for charity last year. The mosque clarified that it doesn’t only assist during Ramadan. According to an administrator, the ICA helps hundreds of people year-round. 

The ICA would not give details of the process it puts applicants through in order to receive charity, but stated it accepts applications all year long and those in need are able to go to the center and apply directly.  

Following the article’s publication, Brown also paid a visit to Zaman International, a local non-profit Dearborn-based organization that assists the needy. Brown said she was delighted to receive assistance from community members there.

“They gave me some clothes,” she said. “They sent me food; groceries, cans and some rice and spaghetti. They are really good people. They are also trying to help me find a job. I was very thankful for their help.” 

Following inquiries from The Arab American News, the state has also reached out to Brown and has forwarded her an application for the Michigan Combined Application Project (MiCAP), a program under the Department of Human Services that provides benefits for select individuals who receive SSI. 

The state is expected to reply to Brown within the next 30 days.

Following a farm bill signed into law last year, Michigan made cut backs on the Nutrition Assistance Program, which included a provision that afforded extra food benefits to families who also receive assistance with heating bills. As a result, more than 150,000 Michigan families lost an average of $76 in food stamp benefits last fall. The policy change appears to have affected many senior citizens living at Normandy Apartments. 

According to Brown, her neighbors have showed appreciation towards her following last week’s article.  She has referred many of her neighbors who also experienced food stamp cuts to Michigan’s MiCAP program. 

“I was not just talking about myself,” Brown said.  “Three ladies in my building knocked on my door and they said ‘thank you for bringing this to everyone’s attention.’ A lot of my neighbors are grateful. I was speaking on everyone’s behalf, not just mine.”

Michigan residents who need additional assistance and would like to learn more about the MiCAP program can call 1-877-416-4227.