Special SNAP Services in Massachusetts

Massachusetts provides special SNAP services for residents in specific situations like emergencies or disasters. These programs offer temporary or replacement benefits to ensure households have consistent access to food.

Expedited (Emergency) SNAP

The expedited option provides a household’s first month of SNAP benefits within seven days for those needing immediate food assistance. You may qualify if your gross monthly income is under $150 and you have cash or bank assets of $100 or less.

You might also be eligible if your housing costs exceed your total income and assets, or if you are a migrant or seasonal worker with $100 or less on hand. To apply, simply submit a regular SNAP application through the state's official portal or assistance line.

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) screens every new application for these criteria. If you qualify, benefits are loaded to your EBT card within seven days. A notice will list any proofs still needed for ongoing aid. More information is available on the emergency SNAP benefits page.

SNAP Household Misfortune Replacement

This program reimburses SNAP households for food purchased with benefits that was lost due to a fire, flood, extended power outage, or broken refrigerator. Up to one month of benefits can be replaced if the loss is reported within 10 days.

To request a replacement, you must complete the required form (SNAP-9B) or submit a signed statement that describes the loss. This documentation can be uploaded online via DTAConnect, mailed, faxed, or dropped off at a local DTA office.

You can also report the loss by calling the DTA Assistance Line. When uploading documents, be sure to choose the option for a replacement due to household misfortune. You can find more details in the official guidelines.

Disaster Nutrition Assistance (D-SNAP and Disaster Waivers)

Following a federally declared disaster, Massachusetts may operate Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP). This program helps households that have lost food or income due to events like severe storms or mass power outages. The USDA may also waive certain rules for regular SNAP clients.

Eligibility is limited to residents in the specific counties or addresses named in the federal approval. You must have experienced disaster-related food loss, income loss, or other expenses to qualify for this assistance. This is detailed in disaster nutrition assistance notices.

During an active approval period, DTA announces application dates and locations. Existing SNAP clients can file a replacement request, while other affected households may submit a short D-SNAP application for a one-time benefit. Deadlines and instructions are unique to each event.

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) was created during the COVID-19 public health emergency. It replaced free or reduced-price school and childcare meals that children missed due to pandemic-related closures or remote learning days. The program was federally funded.

Children were automatically eligible if they qualified for free school meals, attended a Community Eligibility Provision school, or were under age six and part of a SNAP household. No separate application was required for these benefits, which were issued on P-EBT or existing EBT cards.

The program ran from spring 2020 through the 2022-23 school year. Any future issuances depend on new federal authority. Families can still check their card balances online or by phone. More P-EBT information is available on the state's website.

How to Use Your SNAP Benefits in Massachusetts

After getting approved for SNAP, you'll need to know how to use your benefits, from what you can buy to where.

What is an EBT Card and How to Use it?

An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is how you receive and use your SNAP benefits. It's a plastic card that gets reloaded with your food assistance funds each month. Think of it as a dedicated debit card just for your SNAP account.

Using the card is simple. At the checkout of an authorized store, you swipe your EBT card and enter a private four-digit PIN. The cost of eligible food items is then deducted from your SNAP balance. It works just like a regular debit card transaction.

What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?

Your SNAP benefits are intended for purchasing staple food items to prepare at home, ensuring your household has access to nutritious meals. This generally includes most grocery items that are meant to be taken home and prepared.

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry, and fish

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt

• Breads and cereals

• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat

However, there are specific restrictions. SNAP benefits cannot be used for non-food products or for foods that are sold hot and ready to eat. It is important to separate these items from your eligible groceries when checking out.

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco

• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements

• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up)

• Foods that are hot at the point of sale

• Non-food items like pet foods, cleaning supplies, paper products, and cosmetics

Where Can You Use Your EBT Card?

Your EBT card is accepted at most places that sell groceries. This includes major supermarkets, smaller grocery stores, and convenience stores across Massachusetts. Look for the Quest or EBT logo at store entrances or checkout lanes to confirm they accept SNAP payments.

Many farmers' markets also welcome EBT cards, allowing you to buy fresh, local produce. Some markets even offer incentive programs that can increase the value of your SNAP dollars, though this varies by location.

You can also use your benefits to shop online. Several major retailers, including Amazon and Walmart, are authorized to accept SNAP EBT for eligible grocery deliveries in Massachusetts. You just need to add your EBT card as a payment method on their websites or apps.

Download Benny for Free and Earn Cash Back on EBT

With the Benny app, you can make your grocery budget go further. Get cash back on your EBT purchases at stores including Target, Walmart, and Dollar Tree. You can also receive cash back from services like Uber and Lyft, helping you save on daily costs.

Download Benny for free, connect your EBT card, and begin earning cashback as you shop.