How soon will my benefits go down due to changes in my income, expenses, or household size?

If your SNAP/food stamp benefits will go down or end because of a change in your circumstances, in most cases DTA should send you a written notice within ten days of the date that you reported the change. 106 C.M.R. § 366.120(C). DTA must give you at least ten days notice that your benefits will change. Your benefits will not be decreased or stopped until this ten day period has finished. 106 C.M.R. § 366.200.

Example

Mary Jones usually receives her SNAP/food stamps on the 2nd of the month. On November 15, she reports an increase in income. By November 25, DTA must send her a written notice that her benefits will go down. DTA cannot reduce her benefits until December 5, when ten days will have passed. Since Mary will already have received her December SNAP/food stamps on December 2, her benefits will not be decreased until January.

Sometimes, DTA does not have to give you ten days notice of a change. See 106 C.M.R. §§ 366.210, 106 C.M.R. § 366.215. In these situations, your benefits can be reduced or ended right away. 106 C.M.R. § 366.120(C). You still have the right to appeal. See Appeal Rights.