The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal nutrition program to help supplement your food budget and buy healthy food. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets and co-op food programs. SNAP benefits are given to you each month on a plastic card called an EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card, which works like a debit card.

SNAP is a nutrition program. It is not a welfare cash assistance program (which is called TAFDC). You do not have to be receiving TAFDC to get SNAP — these are separate programs.

In order to qualify for SNAP, you must be a resident of the state of Massachusetts and either:

• have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001; or
• have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 if you share your household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).

In order to qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below the following amounts:

Apply for SNAP benefits

To apply for SNAP benefits, go to www.mass.gov/snap or call the Department of Transitional Assistance at 1-877-382-2363.

For help with applying for SNAP, contact The Open Door:

The Open Door
28 Emerson Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-283-6776
[email protected]