Yes. You can always ask a family member, friend, or human services agency to help you fill out an application, on paper or on the Internet. Helping agencies, family members or advocates can also accompany you to DTA and attend any interviews with you, with your permission.

You can also have someone you trust be your "authorized representative" to apply for you directly and receive notices and recertification forms on your behalf, while you get the EBT card yourself. Or, you can choose to have your authorized representative receive the EBT card and buy food for you. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.300, 361.310. (An "authorized representative" is different from an individual or agency that helps you fill out a paper or web application.) The authorized representative must provide proof of identity, SSN and other information to DTA.

In most cases, DTA cannot force you to have an authorized representative if you do not want one. It is your choice. You will need to sign a form allowing a person to be your "Authorized Representative, Authorized Agency or Authorized Payee." See Appendix C: Important Advocacy Forms for a copy of the DTA form, or download one from SNAP in the DTA website www.mass.gov/snap.

If you choose to have an authorized representative buy food for you, this person's name must be on the EBT card to buy your groceries. See Question 62 (How do I get food stamp/SNAP benefits?). You can also ask DTA to issue two Bay State Access cards— one for you and one for an authorized representative. If an authorized representative has access to all your SNAP benefits, be sure you trust the person you pick. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.300-361.370.

If you live in a group home for persons with disabilities, you may be  eligible for SNAP benefits as a one person household even though you live with others. 106 C.M.R. § 361.240(B). Many group homes are run by the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Mental Retardation where state agency staff assist with these applications and provide the proofs for eligibility. See Question 30 (Can I get benefits if I am disabled and live in a group home?) for eligibility in group homes.

If you are a resident of an alcohol or drug treatment program, the program staff must be your authorized representative. 106 C.M.R. § 365.610. If you are living in a teen parent program, the program is given the authority to decide if it will be the authorized representative and receive the SNAP benefits, or if it will allow you to apply for and spend the benefits yourself. 106 C.M.R. § 365.620(B).