New SNAP Work Requirements Soon Go Into Effect for People 55 to 64

About 150,000 people in Massachusetts could lose food benefits this year, but it's hard to get assistance because the help lines have been inundated.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump in July, tightens eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation's largest food program. Under the new rules, able-bodied adults ages 55 to 64 must work or participate in job training for at least 80 hours a month to continue receiving food assistance. However, many SNAP recipients are struggling to reach state caseworkers to discuss or update their situation due to high call volumes and staffing shortages at the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA).

Why it matters

The new SNAP work requirements will impact about 150,000 people in Massachusetts, with an estimated 2,900 households in New Bedford potentially affected. This could have significant health and financial consequences, as research shows SNAP benefits help keep people healthy and lower healthcare costs. The strain on the DTA could also lead to increased payment errors, which could cost the state financially.

The details

The DTA has started notifying thousands of SNAP recipients about the new work requirements. Recipients have three months after receiving a DTA notice to either comply with the rules or demonstrate that they qualify for an exemption. However, the DTA's workforce is struggling to keep up with the volume of cases, with more than 60% of clients who called the DTA in 2025 having their call disconnected due to high call volume. The DTA's caseload has grown by nearly 40% since 2020, but staffing levels have not kept pace.

  • The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed by President Donald Trump in July.
  • The DTA began sending the new work-requirement notices in December, and the first cutoffs started in February.
  • Each SNAP recipient's cutoff date will be based on when they get a DTA notice.

The players

Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)

The Massachusetts state agency responsible for administering the SNAP program and notifying recipients of the new work requirements.

Patricia Baker

A senior policy advocate at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.

Matt Dansereau

Outreach coordinator at the Dartmouth Council on Aging and a board member for the DTA in New Bedford.

Kevin Frederic

New Bedford Catholic Charities outreach coordinator and food pantry manager.

Rajan Sonik

A professor at Brandeis University who has studied SNAP's health benefits.

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What they’re saying

“DTA workers are heroes, but they are drowning in this work.”

— Patricia Baker, senior policy advocate at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute

“DTA's phones are brutal right now. They don't have enough people working.”

— Matt Dansereau, outreach coordinator at the Dartmouth Council on Aging and a board member for the DTA in New Bedford

“The DTA Connect online portal is user-friendly, but it is basic. If users have specific questions about their case, they would still need to speak with someone directly.”

— Kevin Frederic, New Bedford Catholic Charities outreach coordinator and food pantry manager

“When SNAP benefits increase, there is a reduction in the likelihood that low-income populations will experience emergency department visits and inpatient stays. The costs to public health insurance programs like Medicaid also appear to decline.”

— Rajan Sonik, professor at Brandeis University

“They're putting states in a pressure cooker.”

— Patricia Baker, senior policy advocate at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute

What’s next

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The takeaway

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