Yes. You can always ask a family member, friend, or human services agency to help you fill out an application, on paper or on the Internet. Helping agencies, family members or advocates can also accompany you to DTA and attend any interviews with you, with your permission.
You can also have someone you trust be your "authorized representative" to apply for you directly and receive notices and recertification forms on your behalf, but you can get the EBT card yourself. Or you can choose to have your authorized representative receive the EBT card and buy food for you. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.300, 361.310. (An "authorized representative" is different from an individual or agency that helps you fill out a paper or web application.)
In most cases, DTA cannot force you to have an authorized representative if you do not want one. It is your choice. You will need to sign a form allowing a person to be your "Authorized Representative, Authorized Agency or Authorized Payee." See Appendix C: Important Advocacy Forms for a copy of the DTA form, or download one from SNAP in the DTA website.
If you choose to have an authorized representative buy food for you, this person's name must be on the EBT card to buy your groceries. See How do I get food stamp/SNAP benefits? You can also ask DTA to issue two Bay State Access cards— one for you and one for an authorized representative. If an authorized representative has access to all your SNAP/food stamp benefits, be sure you trust the person you pick. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.300-361.370.
If you live in a group home for persons with disabilities, you are eligible for SNAP/food stamp benefits as a one person household even though you live with others. 106 C.M.R. § 361.240(B). Many group homes are run by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) where state agency staff assist with these applications and providing DTA the proofs for eligibility. You can apply for your own SNAP/food stamp benefits or the group home may decide to be your authorized representative. See Can I get benefits if I am disabled and live in a group home?
If you are a resident of an alcohol or drug treatment program, there is no choice and the program staff will be your authorized representative. 106 C.M.R. § 365.610. If you are living in a teen parent program, the program is given the authority to decide if it will be the authorized representative and receive the SNAP/food stamp benefits, or if it will allow you to apply and spend the benefits. 106 C.M.R. § 365.620(B).
Additional Policy Guidance on Authorized Representatives
Additional Policy Guidance on Authorized Representatives
- Human services providers can be "authorized representatives" for the limited purpose of submitting an electronic application on the Virtual Gateway. DTA Field Operations Memo 2007-23 (June 29, 2007)
- Residents of drug/alcohol treatment programs and teen parent programs are required to transfer their benefits to the program staff (through on-site POS terminals), who then purchase food for the residents. DTA Field Operations Memo 97-17 (Mar. 14, 1997)
- Detailed guidance on eligibility of DMR and DMH group home residents including the process for applying, designating an authorized representative, level of authorized rep's authority to transact benefits. DTA Field Operations Memo 2009-10, Q. 4 (Feb. 20, 2009), DTA Field Operations Memo 2004-41 (Oct. 8, 2004) and DTA Field Operations Memo 2004-15 (Apr. 2, 2004)
Produced by Patricia Baker, Laura Gallant, Deborah Harris, Rochelle Hahn Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Last updated January 2011
