Mass. Farmers Sound Alarm About Upcoming Cuts to a Fresh-Produce SNAP Benefit
November 12, 2024 | 1 min to read
Massachusetts families receiving food assistance will see a significant reduction in benefits from the Healthy Incentives Program, effective December 1. The program, managed by the state's Department of Transitional Assistance, will drop to a flat rate of $20 per month, down from a maximum of $80 based on household size. Advocates and vendors express concern about the effects on family health and local economies, as the reduced funding limits access to healthy food options.
Massachusetts families who receive food assistance also qualify for extra dollars every month they can spend on fresh, locally grown produce. But that benefit will soon be drastically reduced.
Starting Dec. 1, the Healthy Incentives Program, run by the state’s Department of Transitional Assistance, will be cut to $20 per month, regardless of household size. It currently ranges from $40 monthly for one or two people to $80 for a family of six or larger. Purchases at qualified vendors up to that amount are instantly reimbursed on their EBT cards.
Farmers and lawmakers say the benefit gives SNAP recipients more access to healthy food while also boosting the local economy. With the looming reduction, advocates are concerned about the potential health impacts on families, and vendors told GBH News they worry about losing income.
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