Charles D. Baker Marylou Sudders
Governor Secretary
Karyn Polito Amy Kershaw
Lieutenant Governor Commissioner
Electronic Benefit Transfer
Photo Requirement
Exemptions Report
March 2021
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE
ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER
PHOTO REQUIREMENT EXEMPTIONS REPORT
MARCH 2021
REPORT OVERVIEW
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 18, Section 2 (B)(s) requires DTA to file an annual report detailing the
numbers of recipients exempt from the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card photo requirement and the
reasons for such exemptions.
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. Currently, DTA serves one
out of every eight people in the Commonwealth including working families, children, elders, and people with
disabilities.
EBT PHOTO REQUIREMENT
In August 2013, the Legislature passed a law requiring the use of photo identification on the front of each
newly issued, and reissued, EBT card. The requirement covered recipients who are 18 or older that are
designated to be the “head of household” on a DTA assistance case. Other classes of recipients are exempted
from the requirement as follows:
• 60 years of age or over • Disabled
• Blind • Victims of domestic violence
DTA must also comply with federal laws. The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition
Service (USDA-FNS) requires that heads of households who do not receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) benefits on their own behalf be exempted (e.g., some relative caretakers of minor children).
In addition, exemptions based on religious beliefs also must be allowed.
EBT PHOTO E XEMPTIONS BY PROGRAM
The following table, compiled as of January 30, 2021, details the number of current program participants who
have been exempted from the photo requirement.
Exemption SNAP TAFDC EAEDC
Younger than 19 987 198 27
Older than 59 167,829 1,567 9,282
Domestic Violence 10,333 3,706 262
Disabled 242,724 7,289 9,896
Religious Exemption 36 2 0
Non-Applicant 2,503 48 41
2