BOSTON - Individuals and families in Massachusetts will receive their first state-funded extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment on April 7, 2023, 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.
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
· 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
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
· 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
· Money to help pay for the internet or a computer: GetInternet.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