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FoodSNAP's Blog Archive for August 2020

The latest information on SNAP/ Food Stamp advocacy in Massachusetts.

Dept of Public Health COVID-19 Community Impact Survey: upcoming community partner webinars

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/31/2020 - 3:56pm
 
Looking forward to those of you who are able to join us tomorrow, 10 AM - 11ish - for the SNAP Coalition meeting (see Vicky Negus email).  
 

SNAP Coalition Zoom call info for tomorrow, Sept 1!

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/31/2020 - 2:51pm
It is hard to believe tomorrow is September 1! We will have a SNAP Coalition Zoom meeting tomorrow, 9/1 at 10 AM. We plan to have an hour long call, but announcements may take a few additional minutes. The agenda will include:
  • Federal update - action steps on a coronavirus package to #BoostSNAPnow, info on child nutrition / school meal waivers, etc. 

August supplemental SNAP, recerts by phone, MA unemployment rate news & call to action

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/26/2020 - 11:51am
We hope that you have been able to take some time off to rejuvenate with family and friends this August or in the weeks to come. As always, we greatly appreciate ALL the work you are doing in Massachusetts and your local communities to make sure families can put food on the table and to push Congress to #BoostSNAPnow. There is a lot going on, so we are planning to have a Coalition Zoom meeting next Tuesday, 9/1 at 10 AM - please keep the date and time on your calendars, and stay tuned. In the meantime, a few updates below. 
 

SNAP updates: Auto replacement for outages; EBT card issuance, college students, immigrant households and more!

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/21/2020 - 12:06pm

In follow up to Tuesday’s SNAP Coalition meeting, there are important updates we’d like to share.  In terms of a “perfect storm” of challenges, in early August many parts of MA suffered extensive power outages in early August; the $600/week federal pandemic unemployment stopped, and DTA received over 23,000 SNAP applications the first two weeks of August.  

SNAP Coalition Zoom Agenda 8/18; Extension on SNAP Replacement Benefits and Troubleshooting SNAP/Unemployment Comp cases

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/17/2020 - 1:40pm

We have important updates on both SNAP replacement benefits and denied SNAP applications due to DTA erroneously counting $600/week federal pandemic unemployment (FPUC).  Also below, the SNAP Coalition Agenda and Zoom call in information.

Replacement SNAP benefits.  More time to report loss of food SNAP due to Storm Isaias

Updates on Public Charge, Un-activated P-EBT cards and Schools Eligible for Universal Free Meals (CEP) - With Attachments!

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/14/2020 - 1:26pm

We are writing to give you some critical updates on public charge, current data on the number of Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) cards that remain unpinned, and the school districts that might be able to elect universal free school meal status (Community Eligibility Provision or CEP).

 

Public Charge Update from the Massachusetts Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) campaign: 

SNAP Replacement Benefits due to August 4th Power Outages - Deadline Approaching; Media - Emergency food demand spiking in MA

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/13/2020 - 9:26am
We'd like to remind all SNAP Coalition members, and especially local food pantries where families may be showing up for emergency food, about the SNAP "misfortune" replacement policy.  Over 220,000 Massachusetts residents lost power the evening of August 4th, and for many parts of the state, the outages continued throughout August 5th and the following days as utility companies worked to get power back on.  

TODAY National SNAP Day of Action, DTA updates & training

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/10/2020 - 12:31pm
Important action alert and information below! Our next SNAP Coalition Zoom will be next Tuesday, 8/18. 
 
 
National SNAP Day of Action TODAY - Make some noise! 
 

public charge, advocacy tips & updates, SNAP data

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/05/2020 - 10:01am
 
 
Important updates and messaging below on public charge, replacement SNAP benefits after yesterday's storm, accessing DTA during times of high call volume, the July supplement, and SNAP caseload data. 
 
Homeland Security suspends recent "public charge" rule after fed court decision - How to advise immigrant families 
 

Breakfast > Bell Victory; MA Sign-on letter to USDA to extend child nutrition waivers; More schools can offer universal free meals (CEP)

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/04/2020 - 5:06pm
We are writing with three important school meal issues to get on your radar, and especially as schools wrestle with reopening.  

Breakfast after the Bell - VICTORY!