MA Anti-Hunger Org Briefing on End of Extra SNAP; DTA Twitter Storm, DTAConnect Changes

FoodSNAP

We hope you are looking forward to the long weekend and resting up for the weeks of advocacy ahead!  Here’s some updates for you to noodle over in the days ahead. The next SNAP Coalition meeting is Feb 28th (4th Tuesday) at 10-11:30 AM. Hope to see you then!

 

State House Briefing on the End of the Extra SNAP Benefits- Recording and Media 

On February 15th, MLRI, Project Bread and the Food Banks of Western Mass, Greater Boston, Worcester County and Merrimack Valley held a 1 hour briefing - sponsored by the Mass Food Systems Caucus - for legislators, aides and constituent services. The briefing covered the impact of the end of the SNAP extra SNAP, how constituents can claim deductions to maximize SNAP benefits and community resources available. We also highlighted the Governor’s FY23 Supplemental Budget pending before the MA Legislature.

 

 

DTA Guidance and Twitter Storm on End of SNAP Extra Benefits

First, attached is DTA’s Online Guide Transmittal 2023-20 advising the field about aspects of the termination of the extra SNAP benefits. The policy guidance can be found at the Online Guide HERE, Sunsetting of SNAP EAs.

 

Second, DTA is hosting a Twitter Chat using hashtag #BoostYourSNAPMA on February 28th at 2pm to help spread the word on how clients can claim optional deductions and what other resources are available to help.  MLRI note: This is a perfect opportunity to not only remind households to report changes that might maximize their SNAP, but also reach out to area legislators to pass the Governor’s FY23 Supplemental Budget ASAP!

 

 

 

 

FAQ for Older Adults on Maximizing SNAP by Claiming Healthcare Costs 

Thanks to our AmeriCorps member, Katie Kelly, attached is an MLRI/Mass Senior Action Council FAQ to advise older adults and persons with disabilities about the loss of the extra SNAP but also how to claim health care expenses to maximize their SNAP benefits. This flier is being translated into Spanish, but we wanted to share this initial version right now. 

 

Recent DTAConnect Changes - Client email required 

As discussed at the recent Coalition meeting, as of February 16 DTA began to require an email address to set up a DTA Connect account in order to use DTA Connect. Security for SNAP households is critical to help protect against phishing scams and identity theft. We appreciate that this may be a challenge for households that do not have or regularly use emails as well as helping agencies.

 

Here’s DTA’s recent announcement along with a video and step by step instructions explaining how this works for households that do not already have a DTA Connect account. We’d appreciate knowing how this works for SNAP households and if you find any glitches in the process. .https://www.mass.gov/info-details/help-using-dta-connect