Boston: Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) - Program Changes

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~ In a recent press release, the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) announced an important update for the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). This program has been a critical resource for community members in accessing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Since its inception, HIP has provided additional benefits to SNAP participants, allowing them to purchase healthy food directly from local farmers, farm stands, and farmers' markets. The program has been essential in improving food access, supporting local agriculture, and promoting healthy eating among low-income families.

However, starting in December 2024, there will be a significant change to the program. The maximum HIP benefit will be reduced to $20 per month for all households, regardless of size. This decision was made due to a budget shortfall in the state's funding for the program.

Previously, HIP benefits varied based on household size, with larger households receiving higher monthly incentives. However, with a $10 million funding deficit, the state had to make the difficult decision to reduce the incentive amount in order to ensure the program continues to operate year-round.

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This change will have a significant impact on Boston residents. In September 2024 alone, approximately 10% of SNAP households in Boston (or just under 10,000 households) received HIP benefits. These households received upwards of $2.7 million in HIP benefits during that year. Unfortunately, this reduction will affect their ability to access fresh fruits and vegetables.

In addition to impacting low-income households participating in SNAP, this change may also have consequences for farmers markets that rely on sales from HIP participants. These markets serve as important fresh food access points in their communities and their success is dependent on farmers receiving enough sales to cover their costs.

The decision to reduce the monthly HIP incentive was not made lightly. In her Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal, Governor Maura Healey had requested $25 million to fully fund HIP. However, the final state budget only allocated $15 million, leaving a $10 million gap.

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), DTA worked to find a solution that would cause the least disruption to both participants and local farmers. Unfortunately, reducing the monthly HIP incentive to $20 was the only viable option to make the program sustainable in the coming year.

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For HIP participants, this means that starting in December, all households (regardless of size) will receive $20 per month to spend on fresh produce from participating vendors. The reduced incentive will still be automatically loaded onto participants' EBT cards and can only be used to purchase fruits and vegetables from certified HIP vendors. While the amount is being reduced, the goal remains to ensure that low-income families can continue to access fresh, nutritious food year-round.

To learn more about these changes from DTA, click here. As this change takes effect, it is important for community members to spread the word and inform their networks about these changes. It is also crucial to continue supporting local farmers and markets during this time of transition. By promoting local farm stands, markets, and mobile markets in their communities, individuals can help support both farmers and low-income families in accessing healthy food options.

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