The shutdown reminded all of America how critical SNAP is. We must protect SNAP to continue ensuring that low-income families can put food on the table.
BOSTON, MA (November 14, 2025) – For the first time in American history, SNAP households did not get their food benefits on time because the Trump Administration refused to use available funds during the government shutdown. 650,000 low-income Massachusetts households were affected by the chaos, uncertainty, and unprecedented delay in SNAP benefits.
For Immediate Release
For more information: Madeline Graf: mgraf@mlri.org | (857) 241-1745
President Trump and Congress Strip Food and Health Insurance from Millions of Residents
Massachusetts must marshall its resources to mitigate harm and protect its residents from the unconscionable impacts of the reconciliation bill
BOSTON, MA (July 4, 2025) – Today, President Trump signed a bill from Republicans in Congress that cuts the largest amount from food assistance and healthcare in history - all to pay for tax cuts for wealthy corporations and billionaires.
Dumping federal costs onto Massachusetts and slashing eligibility for very low-income residents will increase hunger, worsen health, and deepen poverty.
BOSTON, MA (May 23, 2025) – Early yesterday morning, Republicans in Congress voted to pass the largest cuts to food assistance and healthcare in history - all to pay for tax cuts for wealthy corporations and billionaires.
One in six Massachusetts residents receive SNAP benefits to buy groceries and help put food on the table. One in three state residents – including nearly half of all children and people with disabilities – rely on Medicaid (MassHealth) for health coverage. If this bill becomes law, millions of Massachusetts residents with low incomes will face significant cuts to food benefits and lose access to health care.
CONTACT:
Project Bread: Allison Epstein, 203-915-8364 allison@teakmedia.com
MLRI: Madeline Graf, (857) 241-1745, mgraf@mlri.org
Advocates, food security organizations and partners across the Northeast rally to protect critical food benefits that support local economies and help families buy groceries.
[Massachusetts] — As Congress deliberates a budget reconciliation bill that would drastically cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, advocates across the Northeast —including Project Bread, Children’s HealthWatch, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, The Greater Boston Food Bank, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank, and others —have joined together to raise the alarm.
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) and 149 Massachusetts organizations are standing together to call on the MA Congressional Delegation to forcefully oppose any proposals that would harm critical federal safety net programs. With Congress considering severe cuts to SNAP, Medicaid (MassHealth), and TANF through budget reconciliation, the 150 organizations urge the Delegation to protect and defend our nation’s vital anti-poverty programs, including:
Whether it is the restoration of state-funded food benefits for immigrants or the creation of access to counsel in eviction cases, when we take on issues, we are making a long-term commitment.
The successes we've had in the past few months are the result of that committed advocacy - and will be the catalyst for more wins down the road. Thank you for joining us on this journey towards justice.
On May 9, 2023, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2024. In addition to providing an analysis of the budget, MLRI is working alongside coalition partners to advocate for amendments that would allow the budget to better serve low-income people. We encourage you to reach out to your State Senators to ask them to support these crucial amendments. Find your State Senator and their contact information here.
Our state budget is a representation of our values - what is funded is the foundation of our state's future, and the state only funds what we fight for.
The budget process can be intimidating to even the most seasoned of observers, which is why every year MLRI advocates analyze the Gubernatorial, House, and Senate budget proposals to see how they will impact low-income residents of the Commonwealth.
This analysis forms the basis of our advocacy. We support parts of the budget that benefit low-income people and we promote amendments that would make the budget a stronger tool for fighting poverty.
For Massachusetts residents seeking legal advice and information:
For legal services advocates and attorneys: