Through its Resiliency Center, Worcester Community Action Council partners with the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and UMass Chan Medical School to help residents access critical food assistance. WCAC’s Resiliency Center staff work to close a gap identified by Worcester’s Food Task Force between individuals who are eligible for SNAP, the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and those who complete the application process. Community Resource Navigators provide direct, one-on-one assistance to help clients apply for SNAP and connect to additional food and nutrition resources for which they may be eligible.
In addition to SNAP, WCAC helps connect eligible households to the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), a state-funded benefit that provides an additional benefit per month for SNAP recipients to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables directly from participating farmers.
Through RECWorcester, all REC Farmers Markets, including Mobile Farmers Markets, accept HIP benefits. The REC Mobile Farmers Market will be onsite at WCAC every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from January 20 through April 30. Visit RECWorcester to see additional Mobile Farmers Market locations, and explore Food Resources to learn more about food assistance options available in Worcester.
Click here to GET HELP APPLYING FOR SNAP BENEFITS
SNAP can help you buy healthy food.
- It is fast and easy to apply.
- Buy food in stores and online (multiple retailers).
- SNAP is not considered in a “public charge” test.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant, it is safe for you to get SNAP for an eligible family member (such as your U.S. citizen child.)
DTA’s SNAP Outreach program is a partnership between DTA, UMass Chan Medical School and community organizations, including WCAC, to help households apply for and receive SNAP.