The Propel Guide To EBT and SNAP in Massachusetts

SNAP, sometimes called food stamps or just EBT, can be an essential tool for low-income households in Massachusetts to help supplement their grocery budget every month.

SNAP is federally funded and operates under national rules, but each state manages its own program under those guidelines. That means application steps, benefit schedules, renewal processes, and customer service details can vary depending on where you live.

Here’s what to know about EBT and SNAP benefits in Massachusetts.

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How does SNAP work in Massachusetts?#how-does-snap-work-in-massachusetts

In Massachusetts, about 1,090,000 people receive SNAP benefits.

If you’re looking for help covering groceries, SNAP provides monthly support through an EBT card. Your benefits are loaded onto the card each month and can be used at stores that accept food stamps.

After you apply, a caseworker from your local county office will typically contact you for a phone interview to verify details like your household size, income, and expenses. Once your case is approved, benefits continue as long as you remain eligible and complete any required renewals.

How to apply for food stamps in Massachusetts#how-to-apply-for-food-stamps-in-massachusetts

There are several ways to apply for food stamps in Massachusetts.

Apply for SNAP online

You can apply through the official state SNAP website below.

Apply for SNAP by phone or in person

If you need help applying or prefer speaking with someone, you can:

• Call the Massachusetts DTA Assistance Line / SNAP hotline at 1-877-382-2363 from 8:15 A.M. to 4:45 P.M.
• Download the paper application and return it by mail or by fax to 617-887-8765
• Apply in person at a county or local benefits office

SNAP application assistance is also available through your local food bank.

What you’ll need to apply for SNAP#what-youll-need-to-apply-for-snap

When you apply, you’ll usually be asked for:

• Proof of identity
• Information about everyone in your household, like birthdays and immigration status
• Income details, like pay stubs or benefit letters
• Housing and utility costs

You may not need every document to start an application; you can often submit missing information later.

Who is eligible for SNAP in Massachusetts?#who-is-eligible-for-snap-in-massachusetts

SNAP eligibility is mostly determined by your household size and income, but some applicants may have to meet additional requirements.

In general, you may qualify for SNAP if:

• Your household income is at or below state limits
• You meet work requirements (if it applies to you)
• You are a U.S. citizen, or you meet immigration requirements

When are SNAP deposits issued in Massachusetts?#when-are-snap-deposits-issued-in-massachusetts

SNAP benefits are sent out once per month in Massachusetts, over the first 14 days of the month. Your exact deposit date is on the same day every month depending on the last first digit of the primary account holder’s social security number (SSN). For example if the last digit of your SSN is 1, then your deposit is on the 2nd of the month.

The primary account holder is usually the person who was listed first on the household’s SNAP application. You may be able to find the last four digits of your SSN in your DTA Connect benefits portal, or by reviewing a past year's tax return, your social security card, or visiting SSA.gov.

Your SNAP approval letter may also have information about your deposit schedule. You can login to your DTA Connect benefits portal to your past SNAP notices.

If your SNAP deposit doesn't arrive when expected, review these common reasons why deposits are delayed.

How do I renew my food stamps in Massachusetts?#how-do-i-renew-my-food-stamps-in-massachusetts

SNAP benefits don’t last forever—you’ll need to renew your case (also called recertification) to keep getting them.

When to renew

Households in Massachusetts are approved to receive SNAP benefits for a set period of time, called a certification period. The length of your certification period depends on your household situation.

Most households in Massachusetts are approved for 12 months and some must complete an Interim Report at 6 months to keep benefits active. Some households may have 36-month periods, such as those eligible under the Elderly Disabled Simplified Reporting (EDSAP) or Bay State Combined Application Project (Bay State CAP).

Your SNAP office should send you a letter in the mail when it’s time to reapply or complete an Interim Report. To be safe, you could also put a note in your calendar or wherever you keep important reminders.

How to renew

You can usually renew:

• Online through your Massachusetts DTA Connect benefits portal
• By phone
• By mail or in person

To find out the easiest way to renew in your area, call your caseworker, local office, or the Massachusetts DTA Assistance / SNAP hotline: 1-877-382-2363.

What can I buy with EBT in Massachusetts?#what-can-i-buy-with-ebt-in-massachusetts

Under federal SNAP rules, you can use your EBT card to buy most food items meant to be prepared and eaten at home.

SNAP‑eligible foods in Massachusetts include:

• Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, dried, or canned)
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products, like milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Bread and cereals
• Snack foods, like popcorn, chips, pretzels, and candy
• Seeds and plants that grow food
• Drinks like juice, water, and energy drinks
• Pantry staples like flour, olive oil, and spices
• Infant formula and baby food

What you can’t buy with SNAP in Massachusetts:

• Alcohol, tobacco, or vapes
• Vitamins, supplements, and medicine
• Hot food that is sold prepared and ready to eat, like rotisserie chicken or soup from a deli
• Pet food
• Cleaning supplies and household items
• Diapers and wipes
• Live animals (except certain seafood and animals slaughtered before pickup)

While SNAP benefits are strictly for groceries and related food items, some people also receive TANF, which provides cash on an EBT card for household needs, including rent, bills, and other expenses.

Where are EBT cards accepted in Massachusetts?#where-are-ebt-cards-accepted-in-massachusetts

You can use your EBT card at:

• Grocery stores
• Convenience stores
• Farmers markets
• Some online retailers

What SNAP changes do I need to report?#what-snap-changes-do-i-need-to-report

You may be required to report changes to your SNAP case.

In Massachusetts, most households are assigned to simplified reporting. This means changes are reported during your regular SNAP renewal or on your Interim Report when the state asks for it.

However, some changes must be reported sooner to help avoid delays or issues with your benefits. If required, you must report changes by the 10th of the month after the change (for example if the change happened in March, you must report it by April 10).

The type of information you must report by the 10th depends on your SNAP status: Simplified Reporting Household, Elderly Disabled Simplified Reporting (EDSAP) Household, or Change Reporting Household. Any changes not listed for your household type can be reported at your next Interim Report (if required) or recertification.

Simplified Reporting Households

Most households are Simplified Reporting Households. These households can report most changes at the 6 month Interim Report or at 12 month recertification. However, the following changes must be reported by the 10th of the month following the change:

• Income goes over the limit: If your household's total gross monthly income goes over the limit for your household size. If your household includes someone who is age 60 or older, or has a verified disability, there isn’t a gross income limit. That means you do not need to report income changes until your next Interim Report or recertification.
• Work hours drop: If you are an "able-bodied adult without dependents" (ABAWD) and your work or training hours drop below 20 hours per week or 80 hours monthly on average

Elderly Disabled Simplified Reporting (EDSAP) Households

Households r where all adults are seniors (60+_ or have disabilities, and no one has earned income only have one check-in, the recertification form, at 36-months. No Interim Report is required. EDSAP households must report the following changes by the 10th of the month following the change:

• If someone moves in or out of your household
• If a household member gets a job and starts earning wages

Change Reporting Households

Change Reporting households are households where all members are receiving economic assistance benefits ( TAFDC, EAEDC, and/or SSI). Change reporting households must report the following changes within 10 days of the change:

• Changes in income greater than $125 a month
• Starting or stopping a job, or other changes to where income comes from
• Changes to the household, such as having a baby, or someone moving in or out
• Changes in where you live or changes to rent / mortgage / shelter costs
• Assets going above the limit of $3000 (or $4500 for households with someone age 60+), if your household is not categorically eligible
• Changes in paid child support obligations

Bay State Combined Application Project (Bay State CAP) Households

Bay State CAP households are single-person households that receive SSI and only have one check-in, the recertification form, at 36-months. No Interim Report is required. Bay State CAP households must report changes in income or household circumstances to the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213. The SSA will tell the Massachusetts SNAP office about your reported changes.

How to report changes

To report a change, you can do one of the following:

• Use your state's online DTA Connect benefits portal
• Call the DTA Assistance Line at 1-877-382-2363
• Call your local SNAP office
• Call your caseworker

If you’re unsure whether a change needs to be reported right away, contacting your SNAP office is the safest option.

How do I report a lost or stolen EBT card in Massachusetts?#how-do-i-report-a-lost-or-stolen-ebt-card-in-massachusetts

If your EBT card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you should report it as soon as possible so you can get a new one and protect yourself from EBT theft.

Here's what to do:

• Call Massachusetts EBT customer service phone number at 1-800-997-2555.
• Follow the prompts to cancel your card or request a replacement

If your benefits were electronically stolen (e.g., through skimming or phishing) between October 2022–December 20, 2024, you may be eligible to apply for reimbursement. Learn more about your state’s process.

Frequently asked questions#frequently-asked-questions

Can I get any discounts with my EBT card?#can-i-get-any-discounts-with-my-ebt-card

Yes. In Massachusetts, your EBT card can unlock discounts and perks like:

• Free or reduced price entry to museums through Museums for All. Find participating museums nationwide.
• Health Incentives Program, which can provide $40 to $80 of additional funds depending on your household for buying fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, farm stands, and grocery stores

You can even qualify for low–cost internet and discounted memberships to online retailers, like Amazon or Walmart.

Can I use my SNAP benefits at restaurants in Massachusetts?#can-i-use-my-snap-benefits-at-restaurants-in-massachusetts

If you’re 60 or older, disabled, or homeless, you may qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program, which allows recipients to use their EBT Card at some Massachusetts restaurants and food trucks.

Can I get more food stamps if I’m pregnant or a new parent?#can-i-get-more-food-stamps-if-im-pregnant-or-a-new-parent

Yes, once your child is born, you should report your new family member to your county. More household members mean more benefits.

If you're pregnant or have a child under five years old, consider applying for the WIC program, which gives you extra benefits on top of food stamps—including things like support with breastfeeding and extra grocery benefits.

Can I use my Massachusetts EBT card in another state?#can-i-use-my-massachusetts-ebt-card-in-another-state

Yes, your EBT card works in all 50 states, as well as most U.S. territories, at any store displaying the Quest® symbol or EBT/SNAP/food stamps accepted sign.

Keep in mind that while your card will work nationwide, some states have restrictions that may prevent you from using SNAP benefits to buy items like soda or candy at local stores.

Using your card exclusively outside of Massachusetts for an extended period may trigger a residency review by your SNAP agency. If you move to another state permanently, you must close your Massachusetts SNAP case and reapply in your new state to keep receiving benefits.

Can undocumented immigrants get food stamps in Massachusetts?#can-undocumented-immigrants-get-food-stamps-in-massachusetts

No. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for SNAP benefits. However, some people who aren’t U.S. citizens may qualify for SNAP benefits, including people who have worked in the U.S. for a certain number of years or have specific immigration statuses, like refugees.

Individuals in mixed-immigrant status households may apply and qualify separately. Massachusetts benefits offices by law can not report any illegal immigrant status to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

How do I cancel food stamps in Massachusetts?#how-do-i-cancel-food-stamps-in-massachusetts

If you no longer want SNAP benefits, you can ask the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to close your case. The easiest way to start is by calling the DTA Assistance Line at 1-877-382-2363 or visiting your local benefits office. You can also fill out the Request to Stop Benefits Form and return it to DTA.

If your income, household, or other situation changed, you may not need to cancel your case. In some situations, you can simply report the change and DTA will review your eligibility instead.

Do EBT benefits roll over in Massachusetts?#do-ebt-benefits-roll-over-in-massachusetts

Unused SNAP benefits roll over to the next month and stay on your EBT card to be used later. However, if benefits sit unused for a long period of time without activity, usually 9 months or more, they may be permanently removed from your account under federal SNAP rules.

What other benefits are available to me in Massachusetts?#what-other-benefits-are-available-to-me-in-massachusetts

In addition to SNAP, you may qualify for other programs that help cover basic needs, including:

• Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC): Known as TANF at the federal level, this program provides monthly cash assistance, called Cash EBT, and workforce training opportunities
• Emergency Aid to the Elderly Disabled and Children (EAEDC): Cash payments for older and or disabled adults, children being cared for by a non or distant relative, and adults taking care of a disabled person
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Extra food assistance, breastfeeding support, and nutrition or health screenings for pregnant women, new moms, and children under age five.
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP): Free or reduced price school meals for children and Summer EBT for cash food assistance during non-school months
• MassHealth: Massachusetts’ combined program for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program which offers free or low-cost healthcare or discounts for private health plans in the Health Connector marketplace
• Child care assistance programs like Head Start and other free or low cost childcare options
• Energy or utility assistance programs like Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Heating System Repair & Replacement Program (HEARTWAP), and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
• Housing support programs like Section 8 housing vouchers, emergency assistance, and other Massachusetts programs

To find out what you qualify for apply through the DTA Connect benefits portal or use the DTA Benefits Screening Tool. You can also talk to a local caseworker, benefits office, or community agency.