Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA)

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What is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA)?

Am I eligible?

What benefits will I get?

How do I apply?

Useful links

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits were suspended beginning in March 2010. See Suspension of SNA Benefits (DTA Field Operations Memo 2010-18) for more information.

What is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA)?

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA) is a work incentive benefit for SNAP food stamp households who are not getting public assistance. Households who meet the eligibility requirements get an extra $7 SNA benefit in their SNAP food stamps EBT account each month along with their regular SNAP food stamp benefits.

The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is in charge of the SNA program. The  program began May 1, 2008, with benefits retroactive to October 2007.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA), households must:

• be getting SNAP food stamps (or have an active food stamp case with zero benefits)
• have a dependent child under 18 living in the household
• have no household members who are getting TAFDC
• and have at least one parent or caretaker relative in the household who is working and is a citizen or eligible noncitizen

In most cases, single-parent/caretaker households must work:

• 20 hours per week if there is a child under 6 in the household
• 30 hours per week otherwise

In most cases, two-parent/caretaker households must have:

• one parent/caretaker who is working at least 30 hours per week
• 55 hours combined working hours for the two parents/caretakers

The work requirement rules depend on the immigration status and disability status of the parents/caretakers.

What benefits will I get?

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA) benefits were suspended beginning in March 2010.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA) benefit is an extra $7 per month that is deposited in a household's EBT account in addition to the household's regular SNAP food stamp benefits.

How do I apply?

You do not have to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA). The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) automatically checks your SNAP food stamp information to see if you qualify. If you are eligible for SNA, the DTA will send you a notice about the program and will deposit your SNA benefits in your EBT account automatically each month.

Getting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance does not affect your SNAP food stamp eligibility or benefit amount.

If you have questions about your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits, or if you need a new EBT card, you should call Recipient Services at 1-800-445-6604.

You may also call your DTA caseworker for more information.

Useful links

The following web sites contain related information that you may find useful. MassResources.org and Community Resources Information, Inc. (CRI) are not responsible for the content of these sites.

1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance - SNA (DTA Field Operations Memo 2008-25)
   Background information, eligibility rules, and client benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA) program. Also explains the role of the DTA in running the program. (requires Adobe Reader)

2. Code of Massachusetts Regulations - Transitional Cash Assistance Programs: Related Benefits
   Massachusetts regulations 106 CMR 705.250 explain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits and requirements for SNAP households not getting TAFDC. (requires Adobe Reader)