What is SNAP and How Does it Affect MetroWest?

Updated on November 3, 2025

What is SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP), formerly called food stamps, is a program that eligible Massachusetts residents use to purchase food.  Residents are deemed eligible through screenings that include household size and income.

While income is not the only determining factor for SNAP, 69% of households on SNAP in Massachusetts have an income at or below the federal poverty level, which is $20,440 for a two-person household.

Enrollment in SNAP also includes additional benefits to purchase local produce, sign up for nutrition classes, and receive access to education and workforce development training opportunities. SNAP beneficiaries are given a debit-like EBT card and a monthly allotment of funds. In 2025, the average monthly SNAP benefit in MA is $190 per person and $356 per household.

Updates:

November 3: Federal Government Announces Partial Funding

On November 3, the federal government announced it would partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after two federal judges (in Massachusetts and Rhode Island) ordered the program to continue during the ongoing shutdown. According to a court filing, the USDA will utilize emergency reserves to provide limited benefits for “50% of eligible households’ current allotments,” but the exact amount and timing of these benefits remain uncertain.

While this decision offers some temporary relief, we continue to encourage community members to consider donating to your local food pantries or supporting organizations that help those in need. These organizations are doing critical work, and your contributions can help fill the gaps until federal support is fully restored.

What to know about SNAP being cut 11/1

Due to the current federal government shutdown, nearly 1 million Massachusetts residents who receive SNAP benefits will be affected on November 1.  As things currently stand, no residents who currently receive SNAP benefits will be given any funds for the month of November. 

In addition, starting November 1, certain non-citizen residents will be ineligible for recertification of SNAP benefits and certain residents including homeless individuals, veterans and seniors will be given new work requirements to remain eligible for SNAP benefits. 

What does this mean for MetroWest?

For the past 30 years, the Community Foundation for MetroWest has been dedicated to strengthening our region by identifying its most pressing needs and supporting our most vulnerable neighbors. Our work is grounded in strong partnerships and informed by ongoing research and data analysis through Impact MetroWest and other sources. We have been closely monitoring the alarming rise in food insecurity and anticipate that the impending food cliff on November 1st will have devastating consequences for more than 38,000 local residents.

As of the latest data available on Impact MetroWest (2018–2022), one out of every four Hispanic or Latino families receives SNAP benefits, along with 22% of Black or African American families. These disparities point to broader issues of economic inequities in the region, though families across all racial and ethnic groups rely on SNAP to make ends meet.

How can we support our neighbors?

To fully cover the November payments for SNAP families in Massachusetts, it would cost more than $210 million. The state has not given any indication that they will be able to cover this funding.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of three local donors who have stepped up to contribute a total of $160,000 to address food insecurity during this challenging time, the Foundation will now have the ability to distribute $250,000 to local food support organizations in the coming weeks. These funds will provide essential food and support to families facing hardship, especially more than 38,000 neighbors in MetroWest impacted by the government shutdown and the loss of SNAP benefits.

At this time, we strongly encourage community members to give funding to their local food pantries. Their ability to have additional resources to purchase the right food when it is needed will be critical. We’ve created a list of organizations that operate pantries and or meal programs and are important to the MetroWest community. If you would prefer to direct your gift through the Community Foundation for MetroWest, please contact Caroline Murphy at [email protected] or 508-720-4443.

If you see a missing organization, please reach out to us.