Protect the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)!

MA DTA has announced that starting December 1, HIP benefits will drop to $20 per month for ALL households—no matter the size!

Current vs. New HIP Monthly Caps:

 

 

 

 

Why is this happening?
HIP funding is too low—$15 million for 2025 won’t last all year! We need $25 million to keep benefits higher and make sure the program lasts. Typically a supplemental budget is passed to fund HIP but it has not been passed for the upcoming year. 

What Can You Do?

CALL Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll at (617) 725-4005
Ask them to support $10 million for HIP in a supplemental budget.

Sample script: Hello! My name is ____, I live in ____ and I’m calling to ask you to reverse the cut to HIP funding. If implemented, this change will negatively impact the 285 farmers and thousands of low-income households that participate in HIP every month. $20 is not enough to encourage low income households to purchase Massachusetts-grown foods at farmers markets. Reversing this decision ensures food-insecure families access to locally grown fresh produce, boosts our local economy, and supports MA farmers’ markets!

EMAIL your state leaders to ask them to sign on for $10 million to protect HIP!

Senator Jo Comerford: Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov

Representative Lindsay Sabadosa: Lindsay.Sabadosa@mahouse.gov

DTA Commissioner Jeffrey McCue jeffrey.mccue@state.ma.us

MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle: Ashley.Randle@mass.gov

Find your MA state legislators here. 

SHARE YOUR STORY:

The Food System Collaborative is collecting stories to advocate for fully funding HIP- add your story on this Google Form.

Tell DTA and lawmakers how this change affects you or your farm!
Email: dta.hip@MassMail.State.MA.US