Impact of the Federal Government Shutdown on SNAP Benefits

Most people got their February SNAP benefits early

Due to the federal shutdown, most Massachusetts SNAP households got their February benefits early - around Jan 17th. Households did not get SNAP again in February if they got SNAP early.

DTA is issuing March SNAP benefits a few days early to most households

To shorten the time between the early February SNAP and March SNAP, DTA will issue March SNAP between March 1 and March 4. This means you may get SNAP earlier than normal. Households in Massachusetts usually get SNAP between the 1st & 14th of the month.

In April you will get SNAP on your normal date.

You do not need to rush to spend your SNAP benefits

SNAP will stay on your EBT card until you decide to use it! It will not go away.

If DTA needs paperwork to approve your SNAP or keep your SNAP case open, send them the paperwork

The fastest ways to get paperwork to DTA are:

• Upload documents on DTAConnect.com.
• Take a picture on your smartphone and send through the DTA Connect app.
• Go to a local DTA office.

If you do not get SNAP, you can apply!

See Mass.gov/SNAP for more information.

Retailers are accepting SNAP as normal

Call DTA if you have any problems.

• For up to date information from DTA, see DTA's website.
• Call DTA 1-877-382-2363. There may be long wait times.
• For help with food resources in your community, call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333

Get the flier as a PDF file in English or in Spanish