Michiganders who use Bridge Cards to buy food or use cash assistance benefits will not be able to use them late Saturday (August 28) and early Sunday (August 29) while the system undergoes an upgrade.

The system will be shut down from approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday to 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Those who receive food assistance, cash assistance, and Women, Infant, and Children benefits loaded on their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards will not be able to redeem them during those hours.

Residents can start using the same cards again at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday without any effect on their benefits.

“The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is constantly working to make it easier for our clients to access public assistance benefits,” said Lew Roubal, senior deputy director for opportunity. “System changes will allow food and cash assistance customers to use a mobile app that has not previously been available. We apologize for any inconvenience and chose a timeframe with low Bridge Card activity to make this transition.”

The system’s upgrades will involve a switch to Fidelity Information Systems, a Florida-based technology services company that will be the new electronic benefit transfer provider for MDHHS.

Bridge Card holders will continue to use this website and call the toll-free number on the back of their card.

Residents who want to view their account status and transaction data online will be required to create a profile at this link.

Food and cash assistance clients can get the new ebtEDGE mobile app in the Google store for Android devices or in the Apple store for IOS devices.

WIC clients already have had access to a mobile app.