NSP Action Alert: Emergency Rally + Other Actions to Protect SNAP

Last week Governor Maura Healey issued an urgent warning that if the Government shutdown lasts beyond October 31st, SNAP benefits will be delayed until the shutdown ends. The Trump Administration is refusing to use USDA contingency funds to temporarily pay for the SNAP program, which the federal government has done during past shutdowns. And Governor Healey said that Massachusetts is unable to cover the $240 million worth of SNAP benefits that state residents receive monthly. As a result, SNAP benefits for Bay State residents will be frozen on November 1st.

This Is An Emergency

Approximately 1.1 million Massachusetts residents rely on SNAP to afford food. A disruption of SNAP benefits will particularly hurt children, seniors, and disabled people.

Our local communities will be especially hard hit. According to Impact Essex County, approximately 26% of households in Lynn and 15% of households in Essex County overall received SNAP benefits from 2017-2021. These percentages were higher than both the state (12%) and national averages (11%).

Nearly 70% of SNAP households in Massachusetts are below the poverty level and do not have resources to cover any delay in benefits. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute warns that: "Failure to issue SNAP on time would force residents to skip meals and go hungry, cause immense financial distress, and flood an already stretched thin emergency food system."

A delay in SNAP benefits will also create economic shockwaves in our communities. In May, the Healey-Driscoll Administration reported that SNAP benefits inject "nearly $3 billion into the Massachusetts economy through more than 5,500 Massachusetts businesses".

Urgent Actions To Take

Rally at the State House

The Make Hunger History Coalition has organized an emergency rally at the State House on Tuesday, October 28, from 12-1 PM. They are calling on the Trump Administration to use USDA emergency funds to cover the cost of the SNAP program through the end of the government shutdown. If the federal government refuses to act, then rally organizers call upon state leaders to draw upon the estimated $8 billion Rainy Day Fund to fund SNAP through the shutdown.

Contact State Leaders

Urge state leaders to dip into the estimated $8 billion Rainy Day Fund or other state resources to fund SNAP through the shutdown.

Governor Healey: 617-725-4005; email. Look up your state legislators and their contact info here:

Feel free to draw upon language from these letters to the Governor and state legislators from Massachusetts anti-hunger organizations.

Support Local Groups

Food assistance groups are unable to address the urgent widescale demand created by this delay in SNAP benefits. These organizations need your help during this crisis. We have compiled a list of local food pantries, community meal programs, mutual aid groups, and food recovery organizations for you to support through donations and volunteer work.

In addition, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is partnering with the United Way to create an emergency response fund for affected Massachusetts households. Donate here: