Extra COVID food funds for families ending March 2

Extra COVID Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, known as SNAP Emergency Allotments, will end this month, meaning that Massachusetts households will receive their last extra COVID SNAP payment on March 2.

SNAP Emergency Allotments were created during the pandemic to help individuals and families buy food. According to the Department of Transitional Assistance, these extra COVID benefits are the difference between a household’s normal benefit amount and the maximum amount for their household size, with a minimum amount of $95 a month. The benefits have been put on EBT cards at the beginning of each month.

Massachusetts has elected to use the temporary benefit program, which was made available under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act, since March 2020.

The benefits are being ended by the Congressional Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.

Local officials are being asked to help spread the word about the end of the extra COVID SNAP benefits. Outreach materials, including flyers, text/email/robocall templates, and social media posts are available in 16 languages, and videos are available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.

The state has launched a new website — Mass.gov/ExtraCOVIDSNAP — to help residents plan for the end of these temporary federal benefits. Residents are encouraged to visit the website to learn how they can get the most out of their SNAP benefits, save some of it to help after March 2, and be connected with other resources. Over the next several months, individuals and families are advised to explore any optional expenses that could increase their normal SNAP benefits.