10/29/2024
Make the call
Tell your legislators and the Governor: HIP needs full funding!
The MA DTA (Department of Transitional Assistance) announced in October 2024 that, as of December 1st, 2024, HIP (Healthy Incentive Program) benefits will be cut from a cap of $80/month, depending on household size, to $20/month for all households. This is the result of HIP having received only $15 million in the stateβs fiscal year 2025 budget, despite estimates that the program needed $25 million to be fully funded for the whole year.
The Campaign for HIP Funding is asking the Governor and legislature to dedicate an additional $10 million to HIP (line item 4400-1004) in a future fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget to avoid this programmatic change. We need your help to keep this vital program running at full capacity!
If you use HIP, please note that your benefit will remain unchanged for October and November, and the change is not scheduled to go into effect until December 1. Please feel confident using your benefit as usual until then!
Please help!
-Share your story with DTA leadership ([email protected]) and ask that they work with the legislature to stop the cut!
-Call and email your state legislators to ask them to sign on to the Food System Caucusβ ask of $10 million in a supplemental fiscal year 2025 budget for HIP to avoid this programmatic change and share how this change will affect their district.
-Share pictures in the comments of what consumers can buy with $20 vs $40 per month to make this change very concrete for decision makers.
-Stay connected to the MA Food System Collaborative for updates on this effort!
