Maura T. Healey Kathleen E. Walsh
Governor Secretary
Kimberley Driscoll Mary Sheehan
Lieutenant Governor Acting Commissioner
Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program
Participation Rate Report
May 2023
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
PARTICIPATION RATE REPORT
May 2023
OVERVIEW
Line-item 4400-1001 of Section 2 of Chapter 24 of the Acts of 2022 requires the Department of
Transitional Assistance (DTA) to report annually to the House and Senate Committees on Ways
and Means on the status of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) client outreach.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION
DTA’s mission is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic
needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency. DTA offers
a comprehensive system of programs and supports to help individuals and families achieve
greater economic mobility, including food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and
employment supports. DTA serves one out of seven people in the Commonwealth including
working families, children, older adults, and people with disabilities.
BACKGROUND ON SNAP IN MASSACHUSETTS
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program that
provides critical nutritional support to low-income families by helping supplement household
food budgets and access nutritious food. DTA administers SNAP on behalf of the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Beyond the core responsibilities of administering SNAP benefits, DTA works alongside a variety
of partners contributing to the larger mission of food security in the Commonwealth.
SNAP CASELOAD
As of March 2023, DTA’s SNAP caseload was 655,968 households, consisting of 1,083,392 total
benefit recipients. Of these recipients:
• 239,157 were 60 or over;
• 309,875 were persons with disabilities; and
• 346,254 were age 18 or under.
Of all SNAP households in Massachusetts, 70% had gross income below 100% of the federal
poverty level, which is $19,720 for a family of two in 2023.
SNAP OUTREACH STRATEGIES
DTA strives to ensure that SNAP benefits and related services are available to all eligible
Massachusetts households. Outreach to potential new and existing SNAP clients is done
through a multi-pronged, data-informed approach focused on engaging targeted populations
with low SNAP participation rates. SNAP outreach is a collaborative effort across sister agencies
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under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, other secretariats, community-based
organizations, and contracted vendors.
INTERAGENCY PARTNERSHIPS
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In 2022, DTA and the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) launched the third iteration of the Massachusetts’
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program, authorized as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response
Act (FFRCA). P-EBT benefits supplement the loss of access to in-person school meals for
children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, including those eligible through
participation in SNAP, when a child is absent from school due to COVID-19. In school year 2021-
2022, P-EBT supported over 676,800 infants and children, providing over $670 million in
financial food assistance. Summer P-EBT in 2022 also provided $263 million in funds to buy food
for nearly 668,740 infants, children and their families. Administration of P-EBT required close
collaboration between the two agencies, and the renewed focus on food insecurity among
school-age children has resulted in new outreach opportunities. DTA and DESE partnered
directly with schools, providing them with email, text and robocall templates informing them
about SNAP. Short videos were developed and included in the outreach. A “P-EBT to SNAP”
webinar was also hosted with school nutrition staff. This approach was designed to leverage the
role of school districts as trusted sources and reach families in the community where they
reside, to bridge the divide between children eligible for free or reduced-priced meals and
those who may not be receiving SNAP. Lastly, DTA and DESE continue their partnership around
ensuring all DTA households are aware and utilizing all available nutrition resources,
implementing a text message campaign to inform them of the availability of summer meals
(“Summer EATs”) in their community. Last summer, DTA sent a text message to over 504,460
families receiving SNAP benefits directing them to DESE and Project Bread’s Summer EATs meal
finder. The text message led to huge increases in website traffic to the finder pages compared
to the previous week, including a 4526% increase in English, a 16382% increase in Spanish, a
5807% increase in Portuguese and a 5633% increase in Chinese simplified.
MassHealth. DTA and MassHealth continue to prioritize efforts to integrate their enrollment
systems and reduce the number of residents who receive MassHealth benefits and are not
currently receiving SNAP benefits. This population is commonly called the “SNAP Gap.” In July
2022, a system enhancement went live enabling applicants and members to apply both online
and on paper for SNAP at the point of application or renewal for MassHealth. This has resulted
in 37,583 applications for SNAP via MassHealth members. In 2022, DTA conducted a full data
analysis of the various SNAP Gap interventions that have occurred over the past 5 years
identifying best practices and barriers. Using this data analysis, and in recognition that many of
the barriers originate at the federal level, DTA put forth a federal waiver request that would
enable some newly approved MassHealth recipients to be directly certified for SNAP,
streamlining the entire SNAP application process. This waiver is currently still under review with
the federal government.
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Department of Higher Education. As a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the
federal government expanded SNAP eligibility for college students. In 2022, DTA and the
Department of Higher Education (DHE) continued to leverage this opportunity, conducting a
direct outreach campaign by emailing almost 30,000 qualifying college students to notify them
of their potential eligibility for SNAP. DTA and DHE continue this work to actively recruit
colleges and universities as outreach partners and SNAP Path to Work providers. In a joint
effort to address the issue of food insecurity on college campuses, this approach enables higher
education institutions with available federal funds to maximize services and supports to food
insecure college students. To date, three higher education institutions, Bunker Hill Community
College, Holyoke Community College and UMass Boston, have become Outreach Partners.
Additionally, there are currently six community colleges participating in the SNAP Path to Work
program including Springfield Technical Community College, Holyoke Community College,
Middlesex Community College, Northern Essex Community College, Cape Cod Community
College, and Quinsigamond Community College.
Department of Public Health/WIC. Utilizing a data match established during the pandemic, DTA
and the Department of Public Health (DPH) continue their outreach by sending notices and text
messages on a quarterly basis to clients not participating in either the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance for Women Infants and Children (WIC) program or SNAP. Further, information on
WIC was included in all P-EBT correspondence for children ages 0-5.
Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources. DTA continues to work with the
Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources (MDAR) to administer the Healthy
Incentives Program (HIP), which helps SNAP clients access healthy produce from local farms via
a monthly nutrition incentive. In 2022, DTA and MDAR opened a second Notice of Opportunity
(NOO) for farmers to participate which facilitated program expansion in a strategic and
equitable way utilizing a data-informed approach. In developing the NOO, DTA used internal
and external qualitative data sources from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
and DPH to identify priority communities1 and priority populations to target for the expansion
of HIP. Priority communities were defined by relation to or prevalence of Food Deserts,
classification as an Environmental Justice community, and/or are a city or town with less HIP
access relative to their SNAP population. Priority populations were defined as historically
experiencing lower access to HIP locations and/or higher rates of diet-related chronic disease.
Priority populations specifically identified as part of the NOO were Black SNAP recipients2 and
SNAP recipients with disabilities3.
1
Identified for the purposes of the 2022 NOO as: Brockton, Springfield, Fall River, New Bedford, Worcester,
Chelsea, Randolph, Lawrence, Everett, Taunton, Lynn, Boston, Malden, Lowell, Southbridge, Revere, Holyoke,
Fitchburg, West Springfield, Milford, Palmer, Chicopee, Webster, Pittsfield, and Marlborough.
2
Underrepresented among HIP users by 10%
3
“Obesity rates for adults with disabilities are approximately 57% higher than for adults without disabilities “
obesityfactsheet2010.pdf (cdc.gov)
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 OUTREACH PARTNERS
Enhanced Community Based Outreach Partner System. DTA continues to partner with the
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMass Chan Medical) to administer a
performance-based federal reimbursement project designed to improve access to SNAP
through partnerships with qualifying organizations. In federal fiscal year (FFY) 2022, DTA
contracted with 106 providers, known as Outreach Partners. These Outreach Partners are
responsible for client outreach and education, as well as assistance with applications,
recertifications, and for the first-time, activities designed to support households during their
certification period. In April 2022, DTA requested and received permission from the USDA to
allow contracted Outreach Partners to receive reimbursement for time spent assisting families
maximizing their benefits in anticipation of the ending of the SNAP Emergency Allotment
payments as a result of the sunset of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Similar to previous
years, preliminary information shows that most Outreach Partners reached their annual
application and approval goals. In FFY 2022, 94 of the 106 active Outreach Partners who
submitted SNAP applications met or surpassed the 50% Application Approval Rating Standard.
These providers received $1,084,441 in payments for SNAP outreach services. For FFY 2023,
USDA approved an expansion of the SNAP Outreach Partner Reimbursement Project and
reimbursement of up to $2.92 million.
The pandemic created many challenges for older adults, especially for those who have difficulty
accessing online tools and resources. DTA’s past and continued recruitment of Councils on
Aging (COAs)/Senior Centers proved beneficial in positioning DTA to serve older adults during
this difficult time. COAs are trusted community resources that offer important support and
services. DTA continued to work closely with the Massachusetts Council on Aging (MCOA) to
add local COAs to the program during the last fiscal year. Older adults especially appreciate
working with a trusted local community partner to help them navigate the SNAP process. To
date of the 106 SNAP outreach partners, 33 are COAs. For FFY 2023, COAs anticipate assisting
1,727 older adults to complete new SNAP applications and are seeking a total of $249,100 in
federal reimbursement.
Project Bread. DTA has a long-standing relationship with Project Bread. Project Bread’s Food
Source Hotline performs SNAP eligibility screenings and provides application assistance for
individuals interested in applying for SNAP benefits. Project Bread also assists families in need
with resources to address more immediate food needs. In FY22, Project Bread received
additional funds through the state budget that they used to assist DTA in outreach efforts
designed to reduce the SNAP Gap (defined above) and assist in supporting the implementation
and administration of P-EBT.
Community-based Trainings. DTA provides SNAP 101 trainings for community-based
organizations to educate them on the SNAP program and application process. In addition, DTA
provides specialized trainings to best suit the needs of organizations that work with specific
populations, such as veterans, immigrant families, college students, older adults, and persons
with disabilities.
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 SNAP PATH TO WORK PROGRAM
Since 2006, DTA has partnered with UMass Chan Medical School to offer training and
employment supports to SNAP clients who are not receiving economic assistance through the
federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The goals of the SNAP Path
to Work program are to assist under- and unemployed SNAP participants in gaining valuable
skills and experience needed to increase employability, secure employment, and establish a
path towards economic mobility, as well as to meet state or local workforce needs. Through a
network of contracted community partners, participants receive job search assistance, job
readiness training, job retention services, employment focused education opportunities,
vocational skills training, work experience and supports.
Through this partnership, UMass Chan Medical School assists DTA with:
• Recruiting, subcontracting, and monitoring SNAP Path to Work providers;
• Assisting providers with federal reimbursement claims;
• Designing and producing promotional material; and
• Maintaining the program’s website - snappathtowork.org
In FFY22, 35 SNAP Path to Work providers and the statewide network of MassHire Career
Centers provided services to an average of 575 program participants per month. Providers were
reimbursed approximately $3.8 million for employment and training services provided to
program participants.
As of March 2023, 40 SNAP Path to Work providers from across the state and the statewide
MassHire Career Center network provide services to program participants under the state’s
approved FY23 SNAP Employment and Training State Plan. USDA has approved provider
reimbursements of approximately $8.4 million under this plan.
ONGOING CROSS-SECRETARIAT FOOD SECURITY PLANNING
Building on the work of the Food Security Task Force, the Administration has transitioned from
a pandemic-related emergency response to a longer-term approach to ongoing food security
planning. This includes:
• Maintaining ongoing cross-Secretariat/Agency coordination of food security efforts
through the Food Security Work Group;
• Continuing to track, monitor and report on implementation of Task Force
recommendations including lessons learned to address ongoing food security needs;
• Continuing work with public and private partners to produce data on food security
needs; and
• Engaging with community-based Food Security Task Force stakeholders to continue to
partner and advise on food security efforts.
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 TECHNOLOGICAL ENHANCEMENTS
Online Client Services. DTA’s existing DTA Connect mobile application and web platform,
available to customers since 2016, served as a critical foundation from which the agency was
able to respond rapidly to the COVID-19 public health and economic emergencies. The tools
available on DTA Connect made it possible for families and individuals to conduct all their
business with DTA from the safety of their home. The availability of DTA Connect enabled DTA
to streamline the processing of applications and ensured that existing clients retained access to
these critical benefits. DTA was able to swiftly modify language and functionality on DTA
Connect to accurately communicate changes in policies and procedures to families. DTA
Connect is now available in Haitian Creole, in addition to English, Spanish, Vietnamese,
Portuguese and Chinese Simplified, and clients can now reschedule their appointments with
DTA via DTA Connect. As of February 2023, the DTA Connect mobile app was updated to
increase functionality, offering users the ability to complete all the same tasks as
DTAConnect.com from the mobile app. The expanded options on the mobile app included
checking their SNAP eligibility, applying for SNAP and cash benefits, and completing SNAP
recertifications and interim report forms.
Text Messaging Platform/Launching Emails. Leveraging funds awarded in 2019 to support the
implementation of a texting platform, DTA was able to launch text message functionality at the
start of the COVID-19 public health emergency. At a time when federal waivers and a shift in
the Department’s business delivery model changed operations, DTA used text messaging to
communicate broadly and directly with families and individuals. The introduction of this
alternative, modern method of communication has allowed the Department to proactively
communicate case status information to clients, which is critical information for applicants and
clients that could previously only be addressed by waiting to speak with a case manager
through DTA’s Assistance Line. The functionality has also proven to be a critical tool in
connecting DTA clients with additional resources and supports available from sister state
agencies and the federal government. DTA previously also sent out case related email messages
to clients. In 2022, the agency shifted platforms to send additionally email campaign messages
in alignment with texting campaigns to expand accessibility and inclusivity of messaging.
In calendar year 2022, the agency sent more than 15 million text messages and 243,000 emails
to clients. In addition to c