Bridge Card Security and Monitoring Controls and Other Information - 491-0311-26
Description
Bridge cards are electronic benefits transfer (EBT) debit cards provided to beneficiaries of the State of Michigan food and cash assistance programs. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS’s) eligibility specialists review and approve each first-time application and annual redeterminations to ensure continued beneficiary eligibility. Beneficiaries receiving cash assistance can use their cards to withdraw cash or make purchases at approved retailers, while beneficiaries receiving food assistance can use their cards to purchase approved food items from authorized retailers or farmer’s markets.
MDHHS contracts with a vendor to manage over 700,000 Bridge cards, store and provide State access to Bridge card user data, provide beneficiaries with a web portal and phone application, and provide customer service to both the State and beneficiaries. In fiscal year 2024, MDHHS expended approximately $3.2 billion on selected food and cash assistance programs supporting over 1.8 million beneficiaries.
Audit Objectives
- To assess the sufficiency of MDHHS’s controls over the security and monitoring of bridge cards and selected benefit data.
Timing
Estimated Release Date: Mid 2026
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