• USDA data shows .6% increase in Massachusetts for July 2015. For the third month in a row, the SNAP household participation has increased. The most recent available data posted in October for July 2015 shows a .6% increase for MA. The following USDA link shows all states and the nation: : https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/pd/30SNAPcurrHH.pdf  (Note, USDA's SNAP individual data is not updated for July 2015). 
• The continued MA SNAP increase is very good sign and we applaud DTA Commissioner McCue and EOHHS Secretary Sudders for their commitment to stop the drop as well as all of the SNAP Coalition members who continue to tackle the many client problems with DTA's hastily implemented business process redesign and flawed data matching. However, our work is not over. We have 36,000 fewer SNAP households than July of 2014, roughly 50,000 fewer households since January 2014 - we need to find and restore SNAP to all of these households if still in need!

• Verification of U.S. Citizenship:  Attached is a copy of DTA Operations Bulletin 2015-13 recently issued to SNAP workers reminding them that US citizenship does NOT need to be verified unless questionable. This policy applies to both U.S. born citizens and naturalized citizens. Big thanks to SNAP outreach partners and coalition members for flagging cases where DTA incorrectly required proof of citizenship when not questionable. Note that immigration status must still be verified for non-citizens applying to be included in the SNAP benefits.

• Verification of Shelter Costs: This is just a reminder that rent, home ownership costs and/or utility expenses can be self-declared by SNAP applicants and recipients and need only be verified if questionable. See DTA Operations Memo 2010-55, still in effect!  If a SNAP applicant fills out a paper SNAP application indicating the amount of rent/home ownership costs and what utility expenses are paid, that should be accepted as a self declaration. If the Verification Checklist includes a request for verification of shelter costs, the household should call the DTA Assistance Line to remind them it was written on the application. SNAP applicants who file through Virtual Gateway are encouraged to hand write a signed statement with that same information and send in with other verifications. Only when shelter costs are questionable, should DTA request verification. For example, an applicant claims a high rent but has insufficient income to and gives no explanation as to how the rent is being paid or if the household is getting into arrears or borrowing money. DTA might consider that questionable.  

• Domestic Violence Callers: In the September Transitions Magazine, DTA announced a new protocol for clients to reach DTA Domestic Violence Specialists. special thanks to Lindsey Daley of Jewish Family and Children's Services Bet Tzedek and other Coalition members for flagging this issue, and big thanks for DTA's thorough response.  Attached is the DTA Hotline guidance.

• EBT Customer Service (Xerox) Updated: Also attached from the September Transitions Magazine, pages 12 and 13, highlighting a bunch of changes to the Xerox Interactive Voice Response (IVR) line, including how to deal with a forgotten PIN, password enhancements and Xeros has added 6 more languages to the IVR.

DTA Assistance Line Working Group is Formed

• At last month's SNAP Coalition meeting, Commissioner McCue asked for volunteers for a DTA Assistance Line Working Group. The Working Group had its first meeting yesterday and discussed what is and is not working with the Assistance Line and the IVR ((interactive Voice Response). DTA recently implemented a "courtesy callback" option for clients to try to reduce waiting time and improve service. (Note the call back requires the client to input their SSN, but not agency ID, which we have asked DTA to correct to that heads of households without SSNs can get a call back too).  

• DTA wants to hear what you and your clients are experiencing with the Assistance Line  including dropped calls, extremely long waits, LEP clients not getting to any live workers, DTA also wants recommendations on what kind of client specific information could be added to the IVR to be more useful for clients and hopefully reduce the need to talk with a live worker. We will discuss this at the October 27th Boston SNAP Coalition meeting and can also expand the Working Group. DTA Central will also be providing information on additional improvements to the IVR and Assistance Line. 

• On October 5th we learned that a number of Stop and Shop grocery stores were not able to process EBT purchases for about 60 mins in the early evening, causing a number of EBT recipients to abandon their groceries at the check out line. This problem was fixed but we learned that the stores did not implement the manual voucher process to honor EBT card purchases. 

• USDA requires stores and third party processors (TPP) to have a manual voucher process in place when EBT systems go down or power goes out in a store or through the TPP. Here is an example of what one TPP has put on line: https://www.goebt.com/shop/vouchers/free-download-print-manual-vouchers/ and here is a sample of what a "manual voucher" looks like: https://www.goebt.com/shop/vouchers/free-download-print-manual-vouchers/?v=7516fd43adaa We encourage Coalition members to check with a few local stores to see if they know about the manual voucher process for EBT households. If not, we can report that to FNS and DTA for follow up.  

• The Boston SNAP Coalition meeting is Tuesday, October 27th from 10 to Noon at St Francis House in Boston. An agenda will go out next week. 

• The Central MA SNAP Coalition meeting is Thursday, October 22  from 10 to Noon at Community Legal Aid in Worcester. For more information, contact Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies at: wnelsondavies@cla-ma.org

• The Income Maximization Basic Benefits Training is Wednesday, October 28th, and you can register HERE.  A separate email on this training will also be sent to the Coalition. 

• And don't forget to register for the exciting Statewide Food for Good Conference, Friday October 30th in Amherst