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Health and Human Services

Food Assistance

Friendly URL:  http://www.mass.gov/snap 
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More residents of the Commonwealth have been purchasing nutritious food at neighborhood grocery stores by using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/SNAP (formerly the Food Stamps Program). SNAP benefits are provided by the federal government and administered by DTA.  Residents of the Commonwealth who participate in SNAP are families with children, elders and disabled.  Many are the working poor with limited income or those who are temporarily unemployed.  At the check-out counter, the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card, is used by many more residents to assist them in making ends meet.  Participation in the program has increased dramatically over the past 5 years and DTA continues to develop new initiatives to improve participation by increasing awareness and eliminating barriers to participation.

There are several ways to apply for SNAP benefits:

Apply Online

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP is the new name for the Food Stamp Program.  If you live in Massachusetts, you can apply for SNAP/Food Stamps online!

Note:  If you have already submitted a SNAP application recently or your family is currently receiving SNAP, please STOP HERE and contact your local DTA office to inquire about the status of your SNAP application or your case.  

The Online Application is for New Applications Only!

Proceed to the Online Application

Apply by Mail or Fax

Print and complete the SNAP application provided here and mail or fax it to the Transitional Assistance Office which covers your city or town.

Fill-able SNAP Application
Complete and print a fill-able application provided here.  Please note, the Adobe Acrobat Reader only allows you to view and print fill-able PDF forms.  It does not allow you to save the completed form to your computer.  Once you complete the application, make sure you print it, sign it, and mail or fax it to your local DTA office.

Simplified SNAP Application for Elderly Applicants

Request for Authorized Representative Forms - Authorized Agency - Authorized Payee

Apply in Person

Go to your local Transitional Assistance Office.

For More Information

To get more information about SNAP/food stamp benefits and an application, call the Department of Transitional Assistance SNAP Benefits Hotline at 1-866-950-FOOD (3663). You can also print out an application and get more information about SNAP benefits by going to a web site sponsored by Project Bread, www.gettingfoodstamps.org.   SNAP benefits are available for qualified Massachusetts residents. For further information or for help filling out the application.

Instructions on how to use your SNAP EBT Card 

What your SNAP benefits can buy

Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


This information is provided by the Department of Transitional Assistance.