Why is Massachusetts facing these large SNAP changes at the same time?
President Trump and the Republican majority in Congress have created this crisis: the immediate shutdown threatens November benefits for all recipients, while the One Big Beautiful Bill Act permanently restricts eligibility going forward and requires states to make significant changes to meet draconian Payment Error Rate targets. Massachusetts must manage these challenges simultaneously.
What help is available for affected families?
Contact Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at (800) 645-8333 to help navigate immediate hunger. You can call or text Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline to receive information about food resources in their area or talk with a Project Bread counselor. The hotline is available Monday-Friday 8am - 7pm and Saturday 10am – 2pm.
Local food pantries and members of the Anti-Hunger Task Force are mobilizing resources. State funded programs like Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC), and the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) will continue normally. Residents can still access WIC and school meals.
How many people are affected by each issue?
If the federal government does not fund SNAP for November, the shutdown potentially affects all one million plus SNAP clients in Massachusetts who rely on this monthly food benefit. Separately, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act changes enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Trump over the next year will cause:
- approximately 9,500 to lose eligibility based on immigration status,
- approximately 99,000 to face new work requirements, and
- approximately 45,000 households to see reduced benefits.
Can Massachusetts use state funds to cover the federal gaps?
SNAP brings in more than $210 million monthly in federal funding. The state budget cannot absorb even one month of federal failure. Massachusetts is working closely with community-based partners to support residents who are impacted by the Trump administration’s decision to withhold SNAP benefits, including through state-funded resources such as food banks, Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits, and state-funded cash benefits like TAFDC and EAEDC.
When will DTA know if November benefits will be issued?
Because SNAP benefits are being delayed by the Trump administration, the Trump administration needs to act to send November SNAP benefits. Only when the federal government reopens and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides authorization. If the shutdown continues past October 31, the Trump administration may not pay for November SNAP benefits and SNAP customers in Massachusetts will not receive that month’s benefits on their regular schedule. Any change to the regular SNAP benefit schedule is devastating for families that rely on SNAP to put food on the table.
If the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed in July, why are changes only happening now?
The Trump administration waited months to issue guidance implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's provisions on Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules, non-citizen eligibility, and the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA). DTA has been preparing while awaiting federal direction for consistent implementation across all states.
Will immigrants lose benefits immediately?
Certain non-citizens who newly apply starting November 1st will not be eligible for SNAP based on eligibility changes made by the Trump Administration and the OBBB. Non-citizens who already receive SNAP through DTA will be ineligible as of their next recertification period.
What about the new work requirements?
Beginning November 1, more people must meet ABAWD work rules at application or recertification. This includes parents with teens 14+, homeless individuals, veterans, and people up to 65. Over the next year, DTA expects approximately 99,000 more people to be required to meet strict work requirements to keep benefits. Because of the confusing and administratively burdensome nature of these rules, many of these people could lose their SNAP eligibility.
If you are impacted by the new SNAP rules, you should talk with DTA staff at your recertification to get help with the changes. You can also talk to community partners near you to help understand the changes. Find a list of SNAP Outreach Partners here: SNAP outreach partners | Mass.gov
What if clients have SNAP paperwork due in November?
Clients should continue to do business with DTA normally. Clients are required to continue to submit all documents on time. DTA will continue processing applications and recertifications, though benefits may be delayed by the shutdown.
What can people in Massachusetts do to help support neighbors affected by these SNAP delays and changes?
Governor Maura Healey and the United Way today announced a new fund to support Massachusetts residents whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are being put at significant risk due to choices made by President Donald Trump. The 13 United Ways across Massachusetts, serving all 351 communities, are joining forces to support Governor Healey’s efforts to respond to this crisis. People looking to help can donate to their local United Way or to the United Response Fund, which will rapidly provide resources in communities to mitigate impacts from federal delays in SNAP benefits.
Will Economic Assistance Programs, like TAFDC and EAEDC, be impacted?
No. There will be no impact to Economic Assistance programs for the month of November and they will continue normally.
Can families in need still apply for SNAP during November?
Yes. People can apply and applications will be processed. However, benefits cannot be issued until the shutdown ends and the federal government authorizes states to resume benefit issuance. This means families should continue applying now so their applications are ready for processing once federal funding resumes, ensuring they receive benefits as quickly as possible when the shutdown ends.
Will clients still need to comply with recertification or other paperwork that is due to DTA during November?
Yes, DTA offices will continue to operate and staff are continuing to process documents. Clients must continue to submit all required documents on time. DTA will process them immediately, and benefits will be issued as soon as the federal government authorizes resumption of SNAP. Missing deadlines could jeopardize your eligibility when benefits resume.
Will EBT cards continue to work during the shutdown?
Yes. If the Trump administration chooses to stop EBT cards from working, we will tell you.
November SNAP benefits will not be added to cards at this time due to the federal funding lapse. Families should budget their current balances carefully to stretch resources through the shutdown period.
You can use your SNAP dollars to buy non-perishable foods like frozen and canned food to stretch your food budget.
How will Massachusetts handle the Payment Error Rate penalties?
On top of continuous quality improvement efforts, DTA is implementing technology upgrades and enhanced training to maintain accuracy while protecting service quality, with potential penalties of $131-394M annually starting in Fiscal Year 2028. The Department is recruiting additional caseworkers to identify and correct errors more efficiently, expanding staff training in high-impact areas like eligibility determination and income verification, and strengthening partnerships with the Department of Unemployment and Department of Revenue to ensure access to the most current and accurate income data available.