UMass Boston Study: Most Who Qualify for Food Stamps Don't Get Them

(Boston, MA) -- A recent study by the Center for Social Policy at the McCormack Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston indicates that 61% of applicants eligible for Food Stamps in 1999 chose not to apply. Despite need, Massachusetts families are not taking advantage of this benefit, confirming a U.S. Department of Agriculture study of 1999 Food Stamp participation rates that places the Commonwealth's rate among the lowest in the nation. According to USDA, only 43% of eligible participants were enrolled in the Massachusetts program. Only one other state had a lower participation rate.

The Center for Social Policy study, Food Stamps: Available But Not Easily Accessible. A Study Conducted for Project Bread reports that the process of applying for this public benefit is daunting for many applicants. Center for Social Policy researchers spoke with more than 300 individuals, most heads of households with children. Limitations in the Department of Transitional Assistance's (DTA) locations and office hours pose a challenge for working families. The lengthy application, the wait to see caseworkers and what was perceived as their often unwelcoming attitude, and the lack of sufficient bilingual staff all pose additional barriers. Study data show that here in Massachusetts Food Stamps are available for eligible families, but not easily accessible. Though recognizing the importance of having Food Stamps, families question whether having this benefit is worth the hassle.

Recent legislative budgetary action will exacerbate this situation. Funding for Project Bread's Food Source Hotline has been eliminated. In the past year alone, this hotline assisted 29,000 callers, providing information about the Food Stamp program and local food resources, as well as Food Stamp eligibility screening and application assistance. Across the state residents have relied on this critical program for information, assistance and support.

Due to budget cuts, DTA has announced closing five of its offices and cutting more than 100 staff positions. With less accessibility to DTA offices, applying for Food Stamps or re-certifying for eligibility will become even more challenging for many of the Commonwealth's residents. Staff reductions usually affect the most recent hires among whom are bilingual staff, presenting an additional obstacle for linguistic minorities. Funding for the Food Stamp benefit for legal immigrants has already run out, and the program will be completely eliminated as of November 1, 2002.

These new, additional obstacles run counter to many of the recommendations in the UMass Center for Social Policy report that stresses the need for leadership to improve the process of accessing this benefit. Specifically cited are the need for a new, improved public image; widespread outreach program; an overhauled application process; welcoming offices and staff; improved staff training; and an increased multi-lingual, multicultural staff capacity. The report concluded that "the program is clearly not working the way it should in Massachusetts."

# # #
9.6.02

Go to menu