What is HIP?
HIP puts money back on your EBT card* when you use SNAP to buy healthy, local fruits and vegetables from HIP farm vendors.
*up to a monthly cap of $40, $60, or $80
How do I sign up for HIP?
There is no special sign-up for HIP. If you live in Massachusetts and get SNAP benefits, your household is automatically able to participate in HIP.
What do I need to know before I use HIP?
- Make sure you have SNAP benefits left on your EBT card. If your SNAP balance is zero, you will not be able to use HIP until you have SNAP benefits available again.
- HIP will put the SNAP dollars you spend on HIP produce back onto your EBT card instantly. Once the money has been put back on your EBT card, you can spend it at any SNAP retailer like always.
- Only certain vendors process HIP.
- Each type of vendor may process HIP a little differently.
See How to Use HIP for more details on using HIP, including step-by-step instructions for using HIP at every type of vendor.
What kind of vendors process HIP?
You can earn HIP incentives at participating:
- Farmers’ markets (where some or all vendors may participate in HIP)
- Farm stands
- Mobile markets
- Community supported agriculture (CSA) farm share programs
Traditional grocery stores or convenience stores do not participate in HIP.
How do I find a HIP vendor near me?
Visit DTAFinder.com to search for HIP vendors near you. You can search by month, day of week open or “open today”. You can also search by city, county or device geolocation (“my location”). You will be able to see what order options vendors have, including availability of curbside pickup and delivery.
Learn how to use the map on a mobile device in English and Spanish and a desktop computer in English and Spanish.
How do I know how much HIP I can use for the month?
First, look at your household’s monthly HIP cap. Your HIP monthly cap is based on your household size.
| Household Size | HIP Monthly Cap |
| 1-2 persons | $40 |
| 3-5 persons | $60 |
| 6+ persons | $80 |
Check how much HIP you have already used for the month by:
- Calling the EBT customer service line at (800) 997-2555 (the number on the back of your EBT card), OR
- Checking your receipt after a HIP purchase to see “HIP Earned MTD” (month to date).
Then, subtract how much HIP you have used from your monthly HIP cap to find out how much HIP you can still use for that month.
Note: You can still use your full monthly HIP cap even if you receive less than that amount in SNAP. Just make sure you have SNAP benefits left on your EBT card so you can make your purchase. See How to Use HIP for more details.
When do I get HIP?
Your monthly HIP cap starts over on the first of each month, regardless of when you get your SNAP benefits.
If you have SNAP benefits left on your EBT card on the first of the month, you can start using your HIP for the month right away. If your SNAP balance is zero, you will not be able to use HIP until you have SNAP benefits available again.
Does HIP roll over?
No. Your monthly cap is always $40, $60, or $80, depending on your SNAP household size. If you do not use the full monthly HIP cap for your household size, you will not have extra HIP to use the following month.
Why does the EBT customer service line say my HIP amount is zero?
The HIP amount tracks how much HIP you have used. If you actively receive SNAP and your HIP amount is zero, you have not yet used HIP for the month. Your full monthly cap is still available to you.
What food is eligible for HIP?
Any variety of fruits and vegetables sold by HIP vendors are eligible for HIP, as long as they do not contain added salt, sugar, fat or oil.
Eligible HIP products include fruits and vegetables that are:
- Fresh
- Canned
- Dried
- Frozen
- In seed/seedling form
See HIP Eligible Foods for examples of HIP and non-HIP eligible foods.
Where can I learn more?
For more details on using HIP, including step-by-step instructions for using HIP at every type of vendor, see How to Use HIP.