Extra COVID Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known as SNAP Emergency Allotments, were created during the pandemic to help individuals and families buy food. Action by the federal government (through the Congressional Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023) ended the extra COVID SNAP benefits on March 2, 2023.
Massachusetts is providing extra SNAP benefits in the beginning of April, May, and June as an off-ramp to make the ending of the federal payments feel less abrupt. The state-funded extra benefits are up to 40% of the difference between ones normal monthly SNAP benefit amount and the maximum SNAP amount for their household size, with a minimum amount of $38 a month.
The state has a dedicated website: Mass.gov/ExtraCOVIDSNAP to share information on the state-funded extra benefits.
Help spread the word about the state-funded extra SNAP benefits:
- Outreach materials are available in 16 languages – including flyers, text/email/robocall templates and social media posts
- Videos are available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL)
- Encourage households to visit Mass.gov/ExtraCOVIDSNAP to learn about the state-funded extra SNAP, how they can get the most out of their regular monthly SNAP benefits, and be connected with other resources
We need the extra food stamps cause it helps feed my family