Massachusetts State-funded Extra SNAP Benefits Hello, my name is Rhodaja Shubrick, communications coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. Also known as DTA. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Massachusetts households received temporary extra federal SNAP benefits. As a result of action by the federal government, these payments ended March 2, 2023. The state knows that the end of these federal COVID SNAP benefits may introduce new difficulties for you and your family, making it harder for you to get the food that you need. To make the end of the COVID benefits feel less abrupt, the Commonwealth is providing three months of extra SNAP. We are working hard to get the payments to you as soon as possible – we want to help you keep food on the table in face of high food prices. You will get your first payment on April 7 for your March benefits. The next extra SNAP will be available on May 2 for your April benefits. Then the last payment will be on June 2 for your May benefits. These extra payments will be up to 40% of the difference between your normal monthly SNAP benefit and the maximum SNAP amount for your household size. That means you will be getting your normal monthly benefits, plus at least $38 a month in extra SNAP. Don’t forget you can use the Healthy Incentives Program, known as HIP, to help stretch your SNAP dollars. If you get SNAP, you can automatically participate in HIP. HIP puts money back on your EBT card when you use SNAP to buy local fruits and vegetables from HIP farm vendors. This could be up to 40, 60, or 80 dollars a month depending on your household size. HIP is good for your budget and the local community. You may be able to increase your normal monthly SNAP benefits by telling DTA about certain household expenses, like child care or out of pocket medical costs. To learn more about the three months of state funded extra SNAP, how to get the most out of your normal benefits, and to find additional helpful resources for your family, visit Mass.gov/ExtraCOVIDSNAP . Thank you!
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