Your SNAP/food stamp benefits should not stop just because your cash assistance stops.
If everyone in your household was receiving TAFDC, and the TAFDC stops, you may qualify for Transitional Benefits Alternative. See What are "TBA" benefits and reporting rules for former TAFDC recipients?
If you were getting other cash assistance that stops— like EAEDC or SSI— DTA should recertify your SNAP/food stamps based on the new circumstances if DTA has enough information and you are financially still eligible for benefits.
If DTA does not have enough information after your cash assistance stops in order to recertify your benefits, they should send you a notice closing your SNAP/food stamp case the month after the month of the notice, and will tell you that you need to recertify (reapply) for benefits. 106 C.M.R. § 365.170(B).The notice DTA sends you must also say that if you recertify (reapply) 15 days before your benefits stop, your benefits will continue without interruption. You may be able to recertify by mail. You may be subject to different work rules if you are no longer receiving cash assistance. See Who must register for work and do job search, and who's exempt? through What if I have a "good cause" for not meeting the SNAP/food stamp work registration or work search rules?
Advocacy Reminder
- If your SNAP/food stamp benefits stop for some reason (maybe you did not recertify on time), you can reapply at any time.
Produced by Patricia Baker, Laura Gallant, Deborah Harris, Rochelle Hahn Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Last updated January 2011
