A number of updates and action items below. Our next Coalition meeting will be on Tues. April 22 from 10-11:30. In the meantime, please sign up for MLRI’s training on the ABAWD Work Rules! Pat is on vacation this week - email Vicky with any questions.
Actions to Protect SNAP
We are grateful to Senator Markey and Congressman McGovern, and to our partners who co-hosted, for hosting a webinar last Wednesday on the critical role SNAP and federal food programs play in our communities - reducing hunger and poverty, improving health, and supporting local economies. Please continue to elevate in local media, on social media, and with your broader networks (including outside of Massachusetts!) the severe harms cuts to SNAP would bring to every community in the country. Here are some resources to elevate and draw from:
MLRI Training: Protect Vulnerable Recipients from Losing SNAP After 3 Months
Massachusetts is required to implement a federal 3-month time limit for certain SNAP recipients ages 18-55 who DTA identifies as “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” (ABAWDs). The ABAWD Work Rules will re-start on May 1 (meaning those subject to the rules are at risk of termination starting August 1 - 3 months later). Many people do not have to meet these punitive rules. However, some do - and they risk losing SNAP after 3 months unless they show DTA they are exempt or meet the rules. Please join us to learn more about these rules and what you can do to make sure vulnerable adults are not terminated from SNAP. Register for MLRI’s training on April 10 at 2 PM here.
EBT Outage from Sat. April 26 at 11 PM until midday Sun. April 27
DTA shared at Coalition last week there will be a brief EBT outage from 11 PM on Saturday, April 26 until midday on Sunday, April 27. DTA has to work with a company to issue EBT cards to DTA clients, pay out benefits, and manage the EBT system. DTA is changing companies from one called Conduent to a different company named FIS. Because of the change, households on SNAP will not be able to buy food with SNAP from 11 p.m. on April 26 until mid-day April 27. Households getting TAFDC or EAEDC cash benefits on their EBT card (not direct deposit) will not be able to make purchases or withdraw funds during those times.
Visit Mass.gov/EBT to see DTA’s information on this & outreach materials. Multilingual resources to come!
MLRI believes the change to FIS is a good thing! One positive change: When the transition happens, DTA will start issuing EBT cards with a new - and we think much improved - design! DTA is NOT replacing cards for everyone on SNAP - they will issue the new card for households who need a replacement card, or who apply and need an EBT card.
Change for Some Households Recertifying SNAP: The Recertification Interview
Everyone on SNAP must re-verify eligibility after a certain amount of time by doing a Recertification. Most households must do a Recertification when they have been on SNAP for nearing 12 months. Some households do a Recertification every 3 years when everyone getting SNAP together is 60 or older, getting a disability benefit, or under 18, and no one in the household is working. These cases are called “EDSAP” cases.
The Recertification can be difficult for some to complete, and access barriers can cause eligible households to lose SNAP. Since the COVID pandemic began, DTA used various tools granted by the federal government to simplify the rules it and eligible families must follow to do the Recertification. Those various tools have ended. This means that, starting on March 28, all households except for EDSAP cases must do an interview as part of the Recertification. Please let MLRI know if you work with clients who face difficulty having the interview, either when applying or recertifying for SNAP.
Share Difficulties with Lifeline
MLRI wants to know about any difficulties using the Lifeline Program. Lifeline provides a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet service from participating providers. MLRI wants to hear from you about any difficulties you, your clients or loved ones faced while trying to enroll. Please complete this brief survey or email vbenzan@mlri.org.
