Yes. If you live in a licensed group home for persons who are disabled or blind, you are eligible for SNAP/food stamp benefits at the one-person benefit allotment, even if you share common meals at the home. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.240(B), 365.620. The group home must be licensed as a community-based residential facility and serve no more than 16 residents at a time. 106 C.M.R. § 365.640.
If you live in a licensed group home, you may be able to apply for your own SNAP/food stamp benefits or the group home may decide to be your authorized representative. See Can someone else apply for me? However, this is not automatic just because you are in a group home. The group home must make this decision based on a determination of your "physical and mental ability to handle your own affairs." 106 C.M.R. § 365.620(A).
Since 2004, DTA has made a major effort to reach group home residents in Department of Mental Health, Department of Mental Retardation and Mass. Commission for the Blind facilities. DTA has simplified the SNAP/food stamp application and verification process. Group homes are also encouraged to earmark a portion of the residential shelter costs for heating/cooling expenses in order to maximize benefits with use of the heating/cooling SUA. If you are a provider of a residential facility, contact DTA about maximizing SNAP/food stamp benefits for your residents.
Advocacy Reminders
- If you are a group home resident with a Home Health Care card, DTA will put the EBT benefits on this card instead of issuing a new card-making it easier for you to remember your PIN. If you already have a Bay State EBT card, the benefits will be put on that card.
- If you leave the group home to live on your own in private or public housing, your SNAP/food stamp benefits should still continue without interruption. Be sure to report the change in address, living situation and expenses. DTA should not require you to file a new application unless your certification period is ending.
- If the group home insists that they become your authorized representative to receive your EBT card and purchase your food, and you do not agree with this, you have a right to challenge their decision. Contact an advocate.
Additional Policy Guidance on Residents of Group Homes
Additional Policy Guidance on Residents of Group Homes
- Outreach efforts announced to simplify and automate enrollment of DMH and DMR group home SSI residents in SNAP/food stamp program. Guidance includes DTA forms for resident to indicate level of authorized rep role in receipt of benefits. DTA Field Operations Memo 2004-41 (Oct. 8, 2004)
- Interagency agreement with DMH, DMR to designate 10% of residents' shelter costs as a heating expense, to leverage heating/cooling SUA. DTA Transitions (Sept. 2007)
- Group home facility makes determination of which residents require authorized reps vs. receive own benefits, but facility cannot impose one method for all residents, must do individualized determinations. DTA Field Operations Memo 97-17 (Mar. 14, 1997)
- Representative payee administrative fees charged for SSI or RSDI recipients should be treated as dependent care expenses. DTA Transitions (Sept. 2006)
Produced by Patricia Baker, Laura Gallant, Deborah Harris, Rochelle Hahn Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Last updated January 2011
