The Wayland Council on Aging (COA) is reminding residents that extra benefits for those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are ending, with the last payment on March 2, 2023. Known as SNAP Emergency Allotments, these extra payments – made available during the Covid pandemic – allowed households to receive the maximum SNAP benefit amount for their household size, with a minimum benefit amount of $95 per month.
Massachusetts has launched a new website – www.mass.gov/extracovidsnap — to help residents plan for the end of these temporary federal benefits. Increases in regular SNAP benefits may be available in certain situations – if housing costs have increased, for example, or if medical costs are more than $35 per month for anyone in the SNAP household who is over 60 or disabled.
Maura Snyder, a licensed social worker and Outreach Coordinator with the Wayland COA, is available to talk with residents over 60 who are affected by this change. Contact her at 508-358-2990 or msnyder@wayland.ma.us. Help is also available from the state’s Department of Transitional Assistance, 877-382-2363.
