Gov. Healey Blasts Looming SNAP Benefit Cutoff, Plans For Contingencies

MASSACHUSETTS — Gov. Maura Healey is urging President Donald Trump to abandon plans to halt SNAP benefits on Nov. 1 if the federal government shutdown continues, while she said she is working with the United Way on potential contingencies to provide food assistance to those in need if the program's funding runs dry next week.

The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, on Friday, was notifying SNAP recipients that, unless President Trump changes this decision, they will not receive their benefits next month.

More than 1.1 million Massachusetts residents receive SNAP benefits – 32 percent are children, 26 percent are seniors, and 31 percent are people with disabilities.

• SNAP Benefits In Jeopardy In MA Due To Government Shutdown, New Fed Rules

The DTA is also reminding recipients of new requirements on SNAP recipients included in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" that could reduce their benefits or remove them from the program. Healey said states were forced to implement these changes to avoid significant cost penalties imposed by Congress.

Healey said the DTA is committed to ensuring that everyone who is impacted is aware of the changes and supporting them through meeting the requirements.

Approximately 150,000 Massachusetts residents will be impacted by these changes over the next year. This includes 99,000 Massachusetts residents who will be subject to stricte work requirements.

"Donald Trump is the only President in the history of the United States to cut off SNAP benefits from the American people," Healey said during a news conference in Roxbury. "He is forcing millions of people — children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities — into hunger, raising costs and hurting local farmers and businesses.

"He is choosing to do this. President Trump needs to reverse this decision and restore SNAP benefits."

Healey said her administration and the United Way will launch a new statewide effort to support Massachusetts residents in need of food assistance during any SNAP benefit suspension

"It's appalling that Donald Trump is choosing to take food out of the hands of families across the street, especially as we enter in the winter holiday season," Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll sad. “He needs to reopen the government that he controls and restore SNAP benefits.

Residents facing immediate hunger due to lack of SNAP benefits are advised to call or text Project Bread's Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to receive information about food resources in their area or talk with a Project Bread counselor.

The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can still access WIC and school meals.

State-funded programs like the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) and cash assistance programs TAFDC and EAEDC are not impacted by the SNAP suspensions.

The federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1 after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and services running. The Senate rejected the Republicans' proposal, which fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance the bill.

Democrats insisted the resolution reverse the Medicaid cuts in Trump's mega-bill passed this summer and extend tax credits for health insurance premiums through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)