Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, provides monthly funds to spend on groceries using a debit-like card. A family of three can receive up to $766 to spend on groceries each month.
SNAP benefits are based on income and household size. A family of three qualifies for SNAP if the family makes $4,303 or less per month, before taxes.
You can apply for SNAP online at DTAconnect and through the free DTA Connect app.
Or, you can apply in person, or by phone at 877-382-2363 (ext. 7).
When you apply, you’ll need documents to verify your identity, like a social security number, driver’s license, or birth certificate. You’ll need to show proof of Massachusetts residency and household income.
You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen to use SNAP — some legal permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may qualify. Applying for yourself or an eligible family member won’t affect your immigration status. If you aren’t a U.S. citizen and you are applying to receive benefits for yourself, you will need a document showing your immigration status.
Many grocery, convenience, and drug stores in Bristol and Plymouth Counties accept EBT cards, the payment method for SNAP benefits. (EBT stands for electronic benefit transfer.) You can find participating stores using the USDA SNAP retailer locator.
Farmers Markets:
SNAP households can get up to $80 in free fruits and vegetables from certain farm vendors each month. The Healthy Incentives Program puts money back on your EBT card when you use it to buy produce from participating farmers markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and farm share programs.
The state’s map of participating vendors shows many in the area. Check The Light’s Civic Life calendar for market schedules and locations.
Food Pantries and Meal Sites:
Look for the daily food pantry schedule and other food programs in the area on The Light’s Civic Life calendar.
Before you go to a food pantry, call ahead to make sure you can meet their requirements. Some pantries require photo ID, proof of residency, proof of income, or other documentation. Some limit the number of trips you can make per month.
You can find a list of food pantries and sites serving hot meals on the New Bedford Homeless Service Providers Network Street Sheet.
Meals for Children and Teens:
Many programs help families feed their children during the summer when school isn’t in session.
Free meals for kids are offered at dozens of sites across the city this summer. There are no eligibility requirements.
Check The Light’s Civic Life calendar for locations and schedules, or check Project Bread’s meal site map.
A new state program that launched in 2024, Summer EBT, provides a one-time payment for eligible families with students to buy groceries in the summer.
Most families that are eligible for Summer EBT don’t need to apply and will automatically receive the benefits. If you’re not automatically enrolled and meet certain income limits, you can apply on DTAconnect.
Each eligible student receives a one-time payment of $120 on an EBT card that can be spent on groceries anywhere SNAP is accepted. The benefits started going out on July 25. Families that already have an EBT card receive the benefits on that card. Eligible families without an EBT card are sent one in the mail. The benefits expire after 122 days.
Meals for Seniors:
Coastline Elderly Services serves lunch for seniors at several sites on the South Coast and runs a Meals on Wheels program serving home-delivered lunch on weekdays.
Meal sites and phone numbers are listed on the Coastline website. There are no eligibility requirements. To attend, call the site the day before to make a reservation.
Some seniors are eligible for home-delivered meals. To check your eligibility and sign up, call Coastline at 508-999-6400.