Check your eligibility for food stamps with our free and anonymous calculator!

How do I apply for SNAP?

First, find out if you are eligible.

To see if you are eligible, use our SNAP Calculator or call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to speak with a counselor who can help you.

If you are eligible:

1. Apply for SNAP

Over the phone: call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to start an application over the phone, or have an application sent to you through the mail.
By mail or fax: find links to fill-able PDFs and Word documents to download and complete on the DTA website.
Apply online: use the Mass.gov Virtual Gateway to apply online.
In person: visit your local DTA office.

2. Participate in an interview

Once your application has been received, a DTA caseworker will call you to conduct an interview over the phone. Your caseworker is the person you will work with and send updates to until your application is complete.

3. Submit verifications

You have 30 days to submit these documents to your DTA case manager (note: documentation can also be submitted with the original application).

A document showing your name and address
Social security numbers for all household members applying
Proof of income for the previous four weeks
For non-citizens: proof of legal non-citizen status.

Additionally, these optional documented expenses may significantly increase your benefit amount:

Child and adult care expenses
Housing costs (rent or mortgage and utilities)
Out-of-pocket medical expenses (if age 60 or over, or disabled)
Child support payments being made to a child living outside of the household.

Click here for helpful information and tips about submitting verifications.

Receiving your benefits

Once all of the verifications have been received and the interview completed, DTA will determine your eligibility and send an approval or denial letter.

You may receive an EBT card in the mail right after you apply. Until the DTA processes and approves your application, you will not have any benefits on your card. Benefits are electronically transferred onto the card once the case is approved.

Click here for more information on what happens once you are approved.

For additional help

If you have questions about how to apply, call Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

To get information from the DTA about your pending case, call Recipient Services at 1-800-445-6604.

GettingSNAP.org is a resource created by Project Bread - The Walk for Hunger, Inc., and has been funded in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. The contents of this website do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of USDA, nor does mention of tradenames, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.