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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