Upcoming “ABAWD” training; DTA Access Issues/Tips; SNAP Calcs; Project Bread Grant LOI

We are continuing to assess/weigh the impact of the Trump/Republican Reconciliation Budget on basic benefits and services in Massachusetts. The scope and harm of the bill is stunning. However, MLRI and the SNAP Coalition are determined to move forward to both minimize the harm and ensure MA uses its resources to protect access to benefits for eligible households. As we get more information on when some of the harsh SNAP changes will be implemented, we will let you know.

In the meantime, we know you may be hearing questions about what is changing, and when. Today, nothing has changed. Please share DTA’s website alert with clients who are concerned:

“The President signed new SNAP changes into law. DTA is waiting on federal rulemaking before anything changes. Your benefits stay the same today. Your eligibility also stays the same today. We'll send updates when we get more details in the coming months.”

Register for SNAP “ABAWD” Time Limit Training: Tuesday, July 15 @ 2 PM

The first group of MA residents harmed by the 3 month time limit/work rules will lose their SNAP starting August 1. Here is MLRI’s ABAWD Guide for Community Organizations. In this MLRI training you will learn more about who is currently impacted by the 3 month time limit, who is exempt and how to protect vulnerable adults from termination. Given the recently passed Republican Reconciliation Budget, we will also give a brief overview on the expansion of the harmful time limit/work rules and how you can help make sure DTA has the information it needs to exempt people. Registration required: Tuesday, July 15 from 2-3 PM.

How to reach DTA SNAP worker for help

DTA’s Performance Scorecard data confirms that applicants and recipients continue to struggle to reach a live DTA worker for help. For months, nearly 70% of callers (66% in May) trying to reach a SNAP worker have been automatically disconnected due to high call volume. While people who need a SNAP interview are prioritized, these access issues make it extremely difficult for people who need to reach a worker to report changes, get their closed cases reopened, and to get questions answered. Here are advocacy tips for how to get help when you or your client can’t reach a SNAP worker.

DTA clearly needs more resources to improve household access and timely process cases. As we move forward into FY2026, we will need to document the scope of problems SNAP households face and need for additional funding. Reach out to MLRI if you need help with fixing client cases, and please urge your clients to contact their local State Reps and Senators to urge robust funding for DTA staff and IT.

Project Bread’s Community Power Grant - July 21st LOI deadline

Project Bread is accepting applications (letter of interest/LOIs) for Community Power Grants to community-based orgs with the goal of permanently ending hunger in Massachusetts. The grants - up to $20K - will fund work that influences public perceptions and policies related to hunger through collaboration with Project Bread’s Make Hunger History Coalition. Participation in this coalition ensures that grantees’ community leadership, lived experience, and organizing efforts are directly connected to this statewide movement. Here’s the link for filing a Letter of Intent (LOI) with more details on the funding criteria.

Calculating Fluctuating Household Income for SNAP

We’ve seen a couple of recent cases where DTA miscalculated household income. SNAP benefits should be based on “anticipated” income - what the household expects to earn in the coming months. When households apply for SNAP or their benefits are recertified, they typically provide DTA with their last 4 weeks of wage information. DTA is supposed to add up and calculate a weekly average to determine their gross income and benefits. That said, many non-salaried workers have fluctuating income - especially if they are asked to work overtime and/or have extra hours during the holidays. Under the SNAP income rules, DTA should not count earnings from any weeks that are unusually high (or low) and should kick out those pay stubs when calculating the weekly average.

If you see any cases where DTA over-counted income, please reach out to the DTA Ombuds Office or local Legal Services if you cannot get this resolved. We are happy to share with folks a (redacted) appeal decision where an appellant successfully overturned a termination of her benefits based on incorrect handling of overtime income. For more on how DTA calculates income, including for households with terminated income, check out Q.72 of our SNAP Advocacy Guide.