- Department of Transitional Assistance
The federal government has increased monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit amounts, effective October 1, 2021, as part of the annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). “Cost of living” is the amount of money needed to support a basic standard of living. Over 560,000 Massachusetts households will see this increase starting with their October benefits, with the largest number of clients seeing a $46 a month increase.
SNAP is a monthly food benefit that helps individuals and families buy healthy, culturally appropriate food, supporting households, farmers, and local grocery and corner stores. The increase in monthly SNAP benefit amounts will vitally support the food security of many low-income households across the Commonwealth and the communities in which they live and work.
The permanent increase to SNAP benefit amounts builds on the federal government’s temporary 15% increase in SNAP amounts that were available February through September 2021. The extra, pandemic-related SNAP emergency allotments will continue as long as there is a federal and state declaration of emergency. SNAP emergency allotments are available at the beginning of each month and bring people’s benefit up to at least the maximum amount for their household size. DTA will notify residents when these special payments end. These payments have been available since March 2020, bringing over $749 million of federal funds into the local economy.
As a result of the COLA, residents may notice a change in their regular SNAP benefit amounts, as well as a change to their emergency allotment amounts beginning in November 2021. Households can find their new monthly benefit amount and SNAP emergency allotment amount on the Notice of Change to Federal SNAP Benefit Amounts, which will be sent via regular US mail and available on DTA Connect.
Household Size Maximum SNAP Amount
Old New
1 $234 $250
2 $430 $459
3 $616 $658
4 $782 $835
5 $929 $992
6 $1,114 $1,190
7 $1,232 $1,316
8 $1,408 $1,504
Each additional $176 $188
person
Household Size Minimum SNAP Amount
Old New
1 - 2 $19 $20
SNAP helps one in seven Massachusetts residents buy food, helping households with limited or strained resources keep food on the table while meeting other basic needs. Families are encouraged to check their SNAP eligibility and apply online at DTAConnect.com or over the phone at (877) 382-2363 (press 7). Help available in multiple languages. SNAP is not considered in a “public charge” test. If you are not a U.S. citizen, it is safe for you to get SNAP for an eligible family member (like your US citizen child).
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