November 2025 SNAP Updates

Can I use the SNAP on my EBT card? 

• Yes. If you have SNAP on your card you can and should use it to buy food. 

I was approved for SNAP but it was delayed. When will I get my November SNAP benefits?  

• We are working as fast as possible to issue November SNAP benefits to anyone who has been affected by the delay.
• New SNAP applicants who are approved will get their SNAP benefits starting 11/14 and over the next few days.   

If I apply for SNAP in November, will I get benefits?  

• Yes. New applicants who are approved for SNAP will get their November SNAP shortly after their application is approved at their full amount.  

What is happening to December SNAP benefits? 

• New SNAP applicants who are approved will get their SNAP benefits in the next few days.
• December SNAP benefits will be sent on their normal scheduled dates at their full amount.
• The federal government fully funded SNAP through September 2026, so upcoming benefits will be issued at the expected level and on time.  

Do clients have to reapply for SNAP now that the funds have been restored?

•  No, if you were already receiving SNAP, you don’t need to reapply. Your benefits have been or are in the process of being restored.

Where should I go if I need immediate food assistance?

• If you are seeking local food resources, please contact Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 800-645-8333. The Hotline is available Monday through Friday, 8am to 7pm, and Saturday, 10am to 2pm. 

If the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed in July, why are changes only happening now?

The Trump administration waited months to issue guidance implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's provisions on Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules, non-citizen eligibility, and the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA). DTA has been preparing while awaiting federal direction for consistent implementation across all states.  

Will immigrants lose benefits immediately?

Certain non-citizens who newly apply starting November 1st will not be eligible for SNAP based on eligibility changes made by the Trump Administration and the OBBB. Certain non-citizens who already receive SNAP but are impacted by these changed rules through DTA will be ineligible as of their next recertification period.

What about the new work requirements?

Beginning November 1, more people must meet ABAWD work rules at application or recertification. This includes parents with teens 14+, homeless individuals, veterans, and people up to 65. Over the next year, DTA expects up to approximately 99,000 more people to be required to meet strict work requirements to keep benefits. Because of the confusing and administratively burdensome nature of these rules, many of these people could lose their SNAP eligibility.  

DTA will check if you have to meet the work rules during your Recertification. Before then, you do not need to contact DTA about the work rules. You can also talk to community partners near you to help understand the changes. Find a list of SNAP Outreach Partners here: SNAP outreach partners |Mass.gov.

How will Massachusetts handle the Payment Error Rate penalties?

On top of continuous quality improvement efforts, DTA is implementing technology upgrades and enhanced training to maintain accuracy while protecting service quality, with potential penalties of $131-394M annually starting in Fiscal Year 2028. The Department is recruiting additional caseworkers to identify and correct errors more efficiently, expanding staff training in high-impact areas like eligibility determination and income verification, and strengthening partnerships with the Department of Unemployment and Department of Revenue to ensure access to the most current and accurate income data available.