2020-44: SNAP: Bay State CAP Phase II

Bay State CAP was developed through the cooperative effort of the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Bay State CAP Program enrolls Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants and recipients in SNAP using information gathered by SSA during the application or the redetermination of eligibility for SSI benefits. This reporting type benefits clients by establishing a certification period of 3 years with minimal reporting requirements and a streamlined recertification process. DTA is able to see administrative efficiencies and certain error protections.

DTA has sought to make additional improvements to the Bay State CAP process. In September 2019, DTA implemented Bay State CAP Phase I. This initiative provided Bay State CAP clients with the opportunity to opt out of Bay State CAP. Phase I also instituted income averaging for Bay State CAP households with fluctuating income.

The Department is now operationalizing Phase II which includes purposeful changes aimed at providing better and more timely service to Bay State CAP households.