If you feel like applying for SNAP is overwhelming and complicated, you’re not alone. According to the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, more than 41% of the people who may qualify for SNAP in Worcester do not receive benefits. While there are many reasons that people don’t apply for SNAP, one of the big ones is that the process feels so difficult. The Department of Transitional Assistance has partnered with local agencies to provide SNAP Navigators.
SNAP outreach is a joint effort between the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and local agencies and community organizations. See the list of local SNAP outreach partners below:
Outreach partners can help you:
- Complete your SNAP application, interim report and recertification
- Understand the application process
- Gather and submit required verifications
- Remain eligible for SNAP by helping with the recertification process
You’ll find a list of them in by clicking on the + next to SNAP Outreach Partners below.
SNAP Outreach Partners
How do I find help?
You can find help by contacting a local SNAP outreach partner. See the list of local SNAP outreach partners below or visit the DTA website for the full list.
Catholic Charities of Worcester
508-798-0191
10 Hammond St
Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm
Walk in or by appointment
Centro Las Americas
508-798-1900
11 Sycamore St
Call for hours and days
Worcester Massachusetts Veterans
508-791-5348
69 Grove St
Call for hours and days
Barre Council on Aging
978-355-5004
557 South Barre Road
Barre, MA 01005
Call for hours and days
*Serves seniors
Blackstone Council on Aging
508-876-5134
15 St. Paul Street
Blackstone, MA 01504
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 7:00 pm Friday: 8:30 am to 12 Noon
Grafton Council on Aging
508-839-5335 x 1147
30 Providence Road
Grafton, MA 01519
Monday – Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
*Serves seniors
Growing Places
978-598-3723
325 Lindell Ave
Leominster, MA 01453
Call for hours and days
House of Peace and Education (HOPE) for Women
978-630-4752
29 Pleasant Street
Gardner, MA 01440
Call for hours and days
Making Opportunity Count, Inc. (fka Montachusett Opportunity Council)
978-345-7040
601 River Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Call for hours and days
Marlborough Community Cupboard
888-811-3291
46 Park Street
Framingham, MA 01702
Call for hours and days
Millbury Council on Aging
508-865-9154
1 River Street
Millbury, MA 01527
Call for hours and days
Valuing Our Children
978-249-8467
217 Walnut Street
Athol, MA 01331
Call for hours and days
Webster Council on Aging
508-949-3845
15 Church Street
Webster, MA 01570
Call for hours and days
*Serves seniors
WHEAT Community Connections
508-370-4943
272 High Street
Clinton, MA 01510
Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 10:00am – 1:00pm. After 1:00 by appointment
Worcester Community Action Council
18 Chestnut Street, Suite 500
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 754-1176
Fax: (508) 463-9696
info@wcac.net
Our research also showed that many people don’t know about SNAP, or think that SNAP can’t help them. To help with that, Worcester Community Action Council provides a traveling SNAP Outreach Coordinator who visits sites throughout the city to help people learn about and sign up for SNAP at food pantries, farmers markets, housing sites, and community events of all kinds. The schedule changes from month to month, but you can always find their updated schedule on the WCAC website or scroll through it below.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which used to be called food stamps, helps you and your family buy food needed for good health. You can get up to $259 for one person and up to $835 for a family of four to buy food. To buy food with your SNAP benefit, you use an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. SNAP only works for food. Enrolling in SNAP gives you automatic additional benefits, including free school meals for your children, discounts on your utility bill, and access to the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which provides a bonus to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets.
Who qualifies for SNAP?
SNAP is an entitlement program – meaning everyone can apply, whether you will be found eligible will depend on factors including income, expenses, age, student status, and immigration status. To qualify for SNAP, your household’s gross monthly income generally cannot be more than 200% of the federal poverty level ($2,265 for one person – $4,625 for four people). You may be eligible above this limit if a senior or person with disabilities is in your household.
What are my rights?
If you are denied SNAP or cash benefits, or disagree with a decision DTA has made:
- Call the DTA Assistance Line or your case manager to ask more information about why they denied your case.
- Call the DTA Ombudsman’s office and ask them to review your case at 617-348-5354 if you cannot reach a case manager.
- Request a hearing if you disagree with DTA’s decision. There is an appeal form on the back of the DTA notice. Fill this out and fax or mail it back to DTA. During COVID-19 hearings are held by phone.
- Contact 855-252-5342 or apply online at communitylegal.org for free legal assistance.
How do I apply?
Please do one of the following to apply for SNAP:
- Apply online at dtaconnect.com
- Apply over the phone by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 800-645-8333
- In person by visiting the local DTA office located at 50 SW Cutoff, Worcester, MA 01604
- In person by visiting a SNAP Outreach Partner
SNAP Outreach Partners
SNAP outreach is a joint effort between the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and local agencies and community organizations. See the list of local SNAP outreach partners below:
Outreach partners can help you:
- Complete your SNAP application, interim report and recertification
- Understand the application process
- Gather and submit required verifications
- Remain eligible for SNAP by helping with the recertification process
How do I find help?
You can find help by contacting a local SNAP outreach partner. See the list of local SNAP outreach partners below or visit the DTA website for the full list.
Catholic Charities of Worcester
508-798-0191
10 Hammond St
Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm
Walk in or by appointment
Centro Las Americas
508-798-1900
11 Sycamore St
Call for hours and days
Worcester Massachusetts Veterans
508-791-5348
69 Grove St
Call for hours and days
Barre Council on Aging
978-355-5004
557 South Barre Road
Barre, MA 01005
Call for hours and days
*Serves seniors
Blackstone Council on Aging
508-876-5134
15 St. Paul Street
Blackstone, MA 01504
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 7:00 pm Friday: 8:30 am to 12 Noon
Grafton Council on Aging
508-839-5335 x 1147
30 Providence Road
Grafton, MA 01519
Monday – Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
*Serves seniors
Growing Places
978-598-3723
325 Lindell Ave
Leominster, MA 01453
Call for hours and days
House of Peace and Education (HOPE) for Women
978-630-4752
29 Pleasant Street
Gardner, MA 01440
Call for hours and days
Making Opportunity Count, Inc. (fka Montachusett Opportunity Council)
978-345-7040
601 River Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Call for hours and days
Marlborough Community Cupboard
888-811-3291
46 Park Street
Framingham, MA 01702
Call for hours and days
Millbury Council on Aging
508-865-9154
1 River Street
Millbury, MA 01527
Call for hours and days
Valuing Our Children
978-249-8467
217 Walnut Street
Athol, MA 01331
Call for hours and days
Webster Council on Aging
508-949-3845
15 Church Street
Webster, MA 01570
Call for hours and days
*Serves seniors
WHEAT Community Connections
508-370-4943
272 High Street
Clinton, MA 01510
Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 10:00am – 1:00pm. After 1:00 by appointment
Worcester Community Action Council
18 Chestnut Street, Suite 500
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 754-1176
Fax: (508) 463-9696
info@wcac.net
Interested in Becoming a SNAP Outreach Partner?
Please contact Jayna Mistry at (508)-856-3139 or at Jayna.Mistry@umassmed.edu.
For more information on SNAP Outreach for Partners please visit the DTA website.
SNAP Retailer Locator
Find retailers that accept SNAP through the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator.
Embedded map from USDA SNAP Retailer Locator
