Patch 3-Part Series: Many MA Workers Qualify For Food Benefits

WORCESTER, MA — For thousands of workers in Massachusetts, a job is not always enough to make ends meet.

In a three-part series this week, Patch showed that thousands of workers in the state earn so little that they qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps.

Data provided by the state Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) listed the companies that employ the most people getting SNAP because of their low pay, lack of working hours or a combination of those factors.

About 108,000 SNAP households in the state have at least one working adult, and the average monthly benefit for that group is $228, according to DTA. In the 12 months ending in October, about 100 companies in Massachusetts employed more than 25,000 people receiving SNAP, including giants like Walmart, Amazon and Stop & Shop.

In the series on SNAP and working, Patch spoke to people getting benefits, elected officials, experts and the companies featured on the top 100 list. Catch up on the series here:

• Part 1: For Thousands In MA, A Job Still Means Relying On Food Stamps
• Part 2: An 'Indecent' Problem: MA Rep. Proposes Fixes For SNAP Workers
• Part 3: As Amazon Expands MA Footprint, More Workers Turn To Food Stamps