To apply for SNAP food stamps, you must fill out an application and bring it, send it, fax it, or submit it online to the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). The DTA is officially in charge of the food stamp program and makes the final decision on eligibility.

There are several ways to get an application for SNAP food stamps:

Apply online: You can apply for SNAP food stamps online by following these steps:
1. Go to the Virtual Gateway Online Food Stamp Application page.
2. Fill out the Screening Survey. Click the box next to "Food Stamp Benefits" under "What programs do you want to screen for?" Then click "Continue."
3. Answer the Screening Survey questions, then check your Screening Results to see if you are likely to be eligible. The Screening Results are not official and do not affect your application. You can apply for SNAP food stamps even if your Screening Results say there is a problem.
4. At the bottom of the Screening Results page, click the box next to "Food Stamp Benefits" and then click "Apply." The only way to know officially if you are eligible for SNAP food stamps is to submit an application.
5. The next page explains the SNAP food stamps application process. Click on "Apply Now" at the bottom of the page to start the application.
6. You will see your application number, and you must select a password. Write down the application number and password in case you need them later. (You may also choose a security question and answer in case you forget your password, but you do not have to do this.)
7. Fill out the online application and submit it.
8. The DTA will contact you to set up an interview and let you know what proofs you need to provide.
Apply in person: You can apply for SNAP food stamps at your DTA office or at a neighborhood food stamp assistance site.

To find your local DTA office:
- Department of Transitional Assistance toll-free number: 1-800-249-2007
- DTA directory of local offices: DTA Office Locations
  
  Applying at your DTA office is the best way to make sure that your application is filed correctly.
To find a food stamp assistance site near you:
- See Project Bread's Food Stamp Application Assistance Sites or
- Call the FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333 (TTY: 1-800-377-1292)
  These agencies will submit your application to the DTA, print out a summary of your information and the date and time you submitted it, and give you a checklist of the proofs you need to give to the DTA.
Get an application by mail: You can call the DTA and have them mail a paper application to you the same day:
- DTA Food Stamps Benefit Hotline: 1-866-950-3663 (toll-free)
- DTA directory of local offices: DTA Office Locations
Download an application: You can get an application online from the DTA Food Assistance web site and print it out yourself:
- SNAP Food Stamps Application in English
- SNAP Food Stamps Application in Spanish
- SNAP Food Stamps Application in Portuguese
- Simplified SNAP Food Stamp Application for the Elderly in English
- Simplified SNAP Food Stamp Application for the Elderly in Spanish
- Simplified SNAP Food Stamp Application for the Elderly in Portuguese
  (a special short application for individuals and couples age 60 or older)
These applications are in PDF format. You can also download applications in Microsoft Word format from the DTA Food Assistance web site.

After you download and print the application, fill it out at home, and then mail, fax, or bring it to your local Department of Transitional Assistance office. The application has complete instructions on how to apply, including what proofs you will need.
SSI households: If everyone in your household gets SSI, you can apply for SNAP food stamps at your local Social Security Office:
- Find your local Social Security office: Social Security Local Office Search
  SSI households applying for regular SNAP food stamps use a simple one-page application.
  
  Some SSI applicants/recipients are eligible for Bay State CAP. Bay State CAP is an easy way to apply for SNAP food stamps using your SSI application and proofs instead of a separate application. See Bay State CAP for more information.
Before you apply: You can check your eligibility using the MassResources.org SNAP Food Stamps Eligibility Check.

What are the rules about applying for SNAP food stamps?

You should remember these rules when you apply:

Everyone has the right to apply for SNAP food stamps.
If you are not eligible for SNAP food stamps for yourself, you may still apply for other members of your household who are eligible.
You should apply as soon as possible. If you are approved, your benefits will start as of the date the DTA office receives your application.
Your application does not have to be complete when you file it. However, it must have your name, address, and signature.
You can apply for SNAP food stamps even if you have been denied cash assistance, MassHealth, or another type of assistance.
You can give someone else permission to file your SNAP food stamps application for you. You must give permission in writing to the DTA office using the DTA's Authorized Representative Form. You can get this form from the DTA Food Assistance web site.

You should let the DTA know if you only want this person to file your application, or if you also want this person to be able to use your SNAP food stamps card.
You have the right to know how your application is processed and how your benefits are calculated.
A DTA worker will ask to meet with you before making a decision about your eligibility. If you cannot get to the DTA office because you are elderly or disabled, you have no transportation, you are working during the day, or some other problem, DTA will interview you by telephone or schedule a home visit.
If English is not your primary language, or if you use American Sign Language, you have the right to an interpreter. You may bring a friend or relative to interpret for you, if you prefer.
The information you give on your SNAP food stamps application is confidential and will only be used to determine your eligibility for SNAP food stamps.

What documentation do I need?

To apply for SNAP food stamps, you need to show proof of identity, household income, household expenses, and certain other information that will let the DTA decide if you are eligible. You will have to provide some or all of the following proofs:

General information:
- identification such as a driver's license, health care ID card, or birth certificate for the head of household
- Social Security numbers for everyone in your household who is applying for food stamp benefits (anyone who does not provide a Social Security number cannot get SNAP food stamps). You do not need the card, just the number.
- proof of immigration status for noncitizens in your household who are applying for food stamp benefits
- proof of address, such as a rent receipt or utility bill, unless you are homeless or new to the area
Financial information:
- Proof of earned income (pay stubs for the past four weeks or a statement from your employer)
- Proof of unearned income (copies of benefit checks, child support or alimony)
- Proof of self-employment income (copy of tax return or business records)
- *Proof of assets, if your household has an asset limit (statements for checking accounts, saving accounts, retirement accounts, credit union accounts, stocks, bonds, and dividends), or if you are applying for expedited SNAP food stamps
  
  *Note: Food stamp asset limits have been eliminated for most households.
Expenses:
- Shelter costs (Landlord Verification Form), rent receipt, lease, or mortgage statement)
- Utility costs (oil, gas, electricity, telephone bills, etc.)
- Medical expenses for household members who are disabled or age 60 or older (health insurance payments, eyeglasses, prescription and over-the-counter medicine, transportation to medical appointments, etc.)
- Child care or adult care expenses (cancelled check or statement from the care provider)
- Court-ordered child support payments (proof of legal obligation and amount)

If you do not have all of the proofs you need, file your application anyway. Your DTA worker will help you get the rest of the documents, or tell you other proofs that DTA will accept. In some cases you can use "collateral contact," which means that you give the DTA permission to call people you know to check your information.

How long does it take to get SNAP food stamps?

If you are eligible, you will get SNAP food stamps within 30 days of the date you applied, unless there is a problem with your application.

Expedited (emergency) SNAP food stamps:

Eligible households with very little money who need SNAP food stamps right away can get expedited (emergency) SNAP food stamps within 7 days. To get expedited SNAP food stamps, you only need a driver's license, picture ID, or other kind of identification. You do not need other proofs. If you do not have any identification, the DTA can call a friend of yours or someone else who knows you to check your identification.

You can get expedited SNAP food stamps if:

your household's total monthly income is less than $150, and cash and savings are no more than $100
or your household's total monthly income, cash, and savings combined are less than your monthly housing costs (rent or mortgage, plus utilities)
or your household is a migrant worker or seasonal farm worker household with $100 or less in cash and savings

If you do not get your SNAP food stamps on time, call the DTA Recipient Services Hotline at 1-800-445-6604 (TTY 1-888-448-7695).

How often do I have to reapply for SNAP food stamps?

The DTA will approve your SNAP food stamps for a certain number of months, called your certification period. Most households have a 12-month annual certification period. Households in which all adult members are elderly or disabled are certified for 24 months, and Bay State CAP households are certified for 3 years.

Near the end of your certification period, the DTA will send you a notice telling you how to apply for recertification. You must file your application on time if you want your food stamp benefits to continue without interruption.

When you reapply, the DTA will review your eligibility and benefit amounts and interview you in person or by phone.

What changes do I have to report?

Most households do not have to report changes during their certification period unless the household income increases beyond the gross income limit. (See What are the income limits?) If your household income goes above the income limit, you must report the change within 10 days following the month the change takes place.

You may choose to report other changes during your certification period if they might increase your food stamp benefits. If you report a change, the DTA will recalculate your food stamp benefits. They will give you more SNAP food stamps if you qualify for them, but will not reduce your benefits unless the household income goes over the income limit.

Some households have different reporting requirements. The DTA will let you know which changes you must report and when you must report them.

Changes that might increase your benefit amount include:

If you have a new household member
If an ineligible noncitizen becomes eligible
If your income goes down
If you start making child support payments for a child who does not live with you
If certain expenses, such as housing, child care, or medical expenses, go up

What happens if the DTA denies my application?

If the DTA finds you not eligible for SNAP food stamps, they will send you a written notice within 30 days of the date you applied. They will let you know why you were denied, how to request a fair hearing, and where to get legal help.

You have 90 days to file an appeal. If you lose your appeal or if you choose not to appeal, you can still reapply for SNAP food stamps at any time. If you have questions or need help filing an appeal, you can call Legal Services.

Where can I find more information?

For more information about applying for SNAP food stamps, see Part 1 Application and Proofs of the SNAP/Food Stamps Advocacy Guide prepared by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.

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