How to Qualify for Food Stamps in Massachusetts

Most people do not plan to end up in a place where they are unable to afford groceries, but sometimes the unexpected happens. If you find yourself struggling to make ends meet, the food stamp program in Massachusetts, now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, can help. Qualified recipients of SNAP benefits in Massachusetts receive a special debit card that can be used to purchase food at the grocery store.

• 1

  Gather your proof of residency, identification and all sources of income in a file folder or large manila folder. In most cases, this will be your driver's license, a utility bill with your name and address, and a pay stub from the past four weeks. If you are self-employed, you will need your most recent tax return. Having all of these materials in one place will also make filling out the application a much quicker process.

• 2

  Make a list of your expenses. The state of Massachusetts wants to know what your rent or mortgage payment is. They also want to know much you pay for utilities, including water, heating, electric, telephone and trash removal. Regular medical expenses for anyone disabled in your house or over the age of 60 should be reported. Finally, list the amount you spend on child or adult care. Add the list and copies of the monthly bills associated with these expenses to your folder or envelope.

• 3

  Fill out the application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The form can be printed or filled out online. Keep your folder of support materials nearby while filling out the application so that you can reference it as you answer the questions on the application.

• 4

  Mail in the application or submit it online. If mailing it, send it to the nearest Department of Transitional Assistance office. The office you mail your application to is the office where you will be interviewed.

• 5

  Wait for a phone call from a social worker. You should hear from someone within one week of your application being received. Set up a time to have an in-person interview. If there are circumstances that make a face-to-face interview impossible, you may be able to have your interview over the phone. Your social worker can help you determine if this is a possibility for you.

• 6

  Attend your interview with all of your support materials. You are not required to present these materials at the interview but doing so will speed up the process of getting the food stamp benefits that you need. After your interview, your social worker will let you know the status of your application and when you can expect to begin receiving benefits.