The nearly 550,000 Massachusetts households that receive SNAP benefits are about to see additional aid.
Monthly benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will rise by 12% starting in October, equating to a boost of about $25 to $30 per person per month, the Baker administration announced Wednesday.
An individual who currently gets the maximum benefit of $250 per month will see their assistance rise to $281 on Oct. 1. The expanded relief comes as the federal government responds to mounting inflation, and as the Baker administration took into account rising energy costs that impact SNAP benefit level calculations.
“SNAP is a critical tool in providing individuals and families with the financial power to buy food that meets their households’ cultural and nutritional needs,” Department of Transitional Assistance Acting Commissioner Mary Sheehan said in a statement Wednesday morning. “It also plays an important role as an economic stabilizer, providing an influx of federal dollars into the state’s economy, supporting our grocery stores, corner stores, local farms, and other food retailers. The increase in monthly SNAP benefit amounts will support the vital food security of many low-income households across the commonwealth and the communities in which they live, learn, and work.”
Here’s a closer look at how maximum SNAP benefit levels will increase by household size:
Household size: 2
Old amount: $459
New amount: $516
Household size: 3
Old amount: $658
New amount: $740
Household size: 4
Old amount: $835
New amount: $939
Household size: 5
Old amount: $992
New amount: $1,116
Household size: 6
Old amount: $1,190
New amount: $1,339
Household size: 7
Old amount: $1,316
New amount: $1,480
Household size: 8
Old amount: $1,504
New amount: $1,691
Additional pandemic-related SNAP benefits remain in effect, with a minimum payment of $95 each month.
Bay Staters can see if they are eligible for SNAP benefits and apply online here. People can also call 877-382-2363 (press 7).
“The Baker-Polito Administration continues to leverage every opportunity to tackle food insecurity and maximize federal nutrition programs,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders said in a statement. “Increasing SNAP benefit amounts to reflect residents’ cost of living, in addition to continuing SNAP Emergency Allotments and implementing free school meals for all Massachusetts students this year, represents the Administration’s ongoing commitment to combating hunger across the commonwealth.”
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