The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the most important tools available to help Salem families afford food, yet local participation has declined significantly as Massachusetts has begun implementing major changes to the program. Federal changes to SNAP under H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) took effect in Massachusetts on November 1, 2025, with new requirements affecting clients on a rolling basis as they reach annual recertification. The MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) estimates that up to approximately 99,000 additional Massachusetts residents could become subject to expanded work requirements and has acknowledged that the complexity and administrative burden of the new rules could result in people losing SNAP eligibility.
Additionally, DTA’s staffing capacity has been drastically reduced. Caseloads per worker have increased substantially, leaving fewer staff available to help families navigate the program. As a result, at least 75% of calls to DTA caseworkers each month were disconnected.
Salem’s local data already demonstrate a concerning trend. In October 2025, immediately before implementation began, approximately 8,500 Salem residents were receiving SNAP. By April 2026, that number was down to 7,227 in April—a decline of approximately 15% in six months. This downward trend underscores the urgency of increasing the number of DTA caseworkers to assist SNAP users with recertification and to reduce administrative errors.
In response, on September 10, the Salem City Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Legislature to prioritize improving access to SNAP. The full text of the resolution can be found in the the meeting minutes.
