The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced that the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) will restore its tiered benefit structure effective September 1, 2025, providing more support for larger households to access nutritious food while strengthening Massachusetts’ local agricultural economy. HIP helps low-income SNAP households get more fruits and vegetables at participating local farms by adding state funds to eligible EBT card purchases, up to a monthly limit. 

Beginning September 1 the new HIP benefit caps will be:

• Households of 1–2 people will continue to receive $40/month
• Households of 3–5 people will receive $60/month
• Households of 6 or more will receive $80/month

Earlier this year, funding constraints required a temporary reduction regardless of household size. The return to the tiered structure is possible following the passage of $7.5 million in funding passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Healey.

More than half of HIP users are over 60 years old, one-third identify as having a disability, and one-quarter of participating households include children.

HIP is a state funded nutrition incentive program administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance and the Department of Agricultural Resources. While the federal government is cutting nutrition programs, Massachusetts remains committed to food security. The program operates year-round to provide predictability for vendors, the majority of whom are small local farmers who plan their growing seasons based on anticipated program participation.