FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The federal government has denied Michigan’s request to increase nutrition funding for older low-income Flint children who may be affected by the city’s lead-tainted water.
Gov. Rick Snyder says Saturday in a release that the Jan. 27 request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture was for supplemental funding through the Women, Infants and Children program. It would have covered children up to age 10.
Federal officials say in a letter to the state that federal law limits benefits to children younger than five and changes would require Congressional action.
Snyder says he has asked that the request be reconsidered.
Flint switched in 2014 to the Flint River from Detroit’s water system to save money. The river water was not treated properly and lead from pipes leached into Flint homes.
