Individuals and families in Massachusetts will receive their first state-funded extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment on April 7, following Governor Healey’s signing of a supplemental budget that includes $130 million to create an offramp from the extra COVID SNAP benefits, known as SNAP Emergency Allotments. The Congressional Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 ended these payments as of February 2023 and Massachusetts households received their last federal payment on March 2, 2023.

“I want to thank the legislature for supporting this proposal and their on-going partnership in promoting food security across the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger – and also supports our local grocery stores and farmers. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is a leader among states in providing households with an offramp to the abrupt end of the federal extra SNAP benefits and will continue to prioritize food security in Massachusetts through initiatives like this.”

“We have heard from many families on how vital the federal extra COVID SNAP benefits have been in Massachusetts to help buy food that met their nutritional and cultural needs. These extra state-funded payments will be a critical offramp to the federal benefits and will support over 650,000 households at a time of high food prices,” said Acting DTA Commissioner Mary Sheehan. “The Administration is working to get these benefits out as quickly as possible.”

The state-funded extra SNAP benefits will be available in the beginning of April, May, and June 2023 for the prior month. For example, households eligible for SNAP in March will receive the extra SNAP in early April. As directed by the supplemental budget, the payment amount will equal up to 40% of the difference between a household’s maximum benefit amount for their household size and their regular monthly benefit amount, with a minimum amount of $38 a month.

The state has a dedicated website, Mass.gov/ExtraCOVIDSNAP, to provide information on the state-funded extra benefits and help households plan for the end of the temporary federal and state benefits. Individuals and families should explore any previously unreported expenses that may increase their regular SNAP benefits and tell DTA about them right away, including:

• If they have medical costs over $35 a month for anyone in their SNAP household who is 60 or older or has a disability,
• If their housing costs have gone up (rent/mortgage), and
• If one is working, looking for work, or in school, tell DTA about any child or disabled adult care costs.

Households can tell DTA about these changes by uploading information via the agency’s free mobile app and online portal DTA Connect, calling the DTA Assistance Line at 877-382-2363, visiting a local DTA office, or working with one of the department’s over 100 SNAP outreach partners. SNAP outreach partners are local community organizations who work with DTA to help people apply for and maintain their SNAP benefits. 

Also, Massachusetts households who receive SNAP benefits can automatically participate in the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). HIP puts money back on an EBT card when SNAP is used to buy local fruits and vegetables from HIP farm vendors, up to $40, $60 or $80 a month depending on household size. Find a HIP vendor at DTAFinder.com.

More resources available to help individuals and families:

• Community Food Resources: call or text Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline, 1-800-645-8333
• If you have children under age 5/are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may be eligible for the WIC nutrition program: Mass.gov/WIC or call 800-942-1007
• All K-12 students can get free school meals this school year 
• Rent or mortgage help: Call 2-1-1 or go to Mass.gov/covidhousinghelp
• Fuel Assistance help paying for heat: go to Toapply.org/MassLIHEAP or call 800-632-8175
• Money to help pay for the internet or a computer: GetInternet.gov, AccedeAInternet.gov
• Get help with 2022 taxes and any COVID stimulus or Child Tax Credit money you are owed: FindYourFunds.org
• If you have children/are pregnant and have no income or low income, you may be able to get TAFDC cash benefits. If you are 65 or older or disabled with no or very low income you may be able to get EAEDC cash benefits. Learn more/apply: DTAConnect.com

— Department of Transitional Assistance