By Tiffany Williams –
Beacon Hill could move fast to keep food on the table if Washington drops the ball. With the federal government slashing SNAP benefits during the shutdown, Massachusetts lawmakers have the power to step in — and even tap the state’s $9 billion Rainy Day Fund to deliver emergency food aid.
Under state law, the Legislature can pull money from the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund if it passes a bill authorizing it and the governor signs off. That means they could approve a one-time transfer from reserves to the Department of Transitional Assistance, directing it to send out temporary SNAP-style payments through the EBT system.
It’s an unusual move — the Rainy Day Fund is typically reserved for plugging budget holes or economic downturns — but there’s nothing illegal about using it to prevent families from going hungry. Lawmakers could simply file a bill stating that a specific amount from the fund “shall be transferred to DTA to provide emergency food assistance to SNAP households.”
Once the bill clears both chambers and lands on the governor’s desk, the money could flow within days. The Comptroller would handle the transfer, and DTA could push the emergency cash out to families almost immediately.
Massachusetts wouldn’t be the first state to do it. New York has already used state dollars to issue emergency SNAP supplements during past crises. Other states have created stopgap food programs when federal aid stalled.
SNAP is a federal program, but nothing stops states from using their own cash to fill the gap. Massachusetts could easily create a temporary “emergency food assistance” program that mirrors SNAP, run through DTA, until federal funds return.
Bottom line: If Congress can’t get it together, Beacon Hill can — and the Rainy Day Fund might just become the rainy-day lifeline families need.
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