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PantryPath Research · SNAP Benefits Report

SNAP Benefits in
Massachusetts

Massachusetts had an overall SNAP participation rate of 13.8% across 14 counties, with a coverage gap of 61.0% of below-poverty households. Use the interactive map below to compare coverage across counties.

13.8%

SNAP participation

61.0%

Poverty coverage gap

381K

SNAP households

$101,341

Median income

Massachusetts by county

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Toggle between six SNAP metrics to see how coverage varies within Massachusetts. Hover a county for its exact rate.

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Massachusetts at a glance

SNAP households

381K

Est. from ACS receipt rate

Participation rate

13.8%

All households

Poverty coverage

39.0%

Below-poverty HH on SNAP

Senior SNAP use

43.7%

HH with a 60+ member

Disability SNAP use

50.3%

HH with a disability

Working-poor share

61.0%

SNAP HH above poverty

County-level hotspots

Five-county rankings across 14 counties in Massachusetts.

Widest coverage gap

% of poor HH not enrolled

  1. 1 Dukes 86.9%
  2. 2 Nantucket 67.5%
  3. 3 Hampshire 63.6%
  4. 4 Barnstable 63.0%
  5. 5 Norfolk 62.9%

Strongest coverage

% of poor HH enrolled

  1. 1 Hampden 65.7%
  2. 2 Bristol 57.7%
  3. 3 Essex 56.2%
  4. 4 Worcester 52.5%
  5. 5 Berkshire 51.1%

Highest SNAP use

% of all HH on SNAP

  1. 1 Hampden 24.1%
  2. 2 Bristol 19.0%
  3. 3 Suffolk 18.7%
  4. 4 Franklin 16.1%
  5. 5 Essex 16.0%

Every county in Massachusetts

All 14 counties across the six SNAP metrics plus median income.

County SNAP rate Coverage Gap Senior Disability Working-poor Median income
Barnstable 8.3% 37.0% 63.0% 54.2% 53.0% 63.8% $94,452
Berkshire 15.6% 51.1% 48.9% 40.1% 54.3% 62.2% $72,565
Bristol 19.0% 57.7% 42.3% 39.2% 50.9% 61.2% $84,198
Dukes 7.6% 13.2% 86.9% 70.6% 52.1% 90.5% $102,348
Essex 16.0% 56.2% 43.8% 43.4% 46.9% 62.4% $99,431
Franklin 16.1% 48.9% 51.1% 45.0% 55.2% 64.5% $72,584
Hampden 24.1% 65.7% 34.3% 37.9% 54.8% 55.1% $70,535
Hampshire 10.7% 36.4% 63.6% 42.9% 51.9% 59.4% $86,391
Middlesex 8.6% 38.8% 61.2% 45.9% 50.4% 62.5% $126,779
Nantucket 6.0% 32.5% 67.5% 22.4% 30.6% 82.2% $119,750
Norfolk 8.7% 37.1% 62.9% 51.7% 47.0% 66.0% $126,497
Plymouth 12.1% 43.1% 56.9% 46.5% 44.9% 71.4% $109,698
Suffolk 18.7% 49.8% 50.2% 45.5% 50.3% 54.4% $92,859
Worcester 15.3% 52.5% 47.5% 41.8% 51.7% 62.5% $93,561

Apply for SNAP in Massachusetts

If you or someone you know may qualify, our state-specific guide walks through eligibility, documents needed, and how to apply online.

Massachusetts SNAP guide

Find a local food pantry

While SNAP is the largest safety net, food pantries bridge immediate gaps. Search our directory of verified pantries across Massachusetts.

Massachusetts food pantries

Sibling atlas

WIC coverage in Massachusetts

SNAP recipients are automatically income-eligible for WIC through adjunctive eligibility. See where Massachusetts is closing — or missing — the WIC coverage gap for pregnant women, infants, and children under 5.

Open the Massachusetts WIC Coverage Atlas