Sources of Law

Produced by Patricia Baker and Victoria Negus
Reviewed January 2020

Federal:

DTA must administer the program in accordance with the federal regulations issued by USDA and any waivers or demonstration projects approved by USDA.

  • The federal regulations are printed in Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 C.F.R. § 271 et seq.).
  • USDA publishes proposed, interim and final rules
  • You can also find USDA’s policy memos and program updates

State:

DTA issues its own SNAP regulations. The DTA SNAP regulations are printed in Chapter 106 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (C.M.R.).

  • You can find the regulations at DTA’s website
  • Or through the Mass. Court System website

 

DTA policy guidance:

DTA issues a wide range of guidance on how the SNAP and cash eligibility rules work, BEACON rules, when to issue notices and more:

  • The DTA Online Guide has detailed information written for DTA case managers on cash and SNAP case handling matters and is very useful for case advocacy.
  • In addition to the Online Guide, DTA has historically issued guidance through Operations Memos or monthly Transitions newsletters. MLRI has posted DTA’s older policy memos and ongoing Transitions here: Masslegalservices.org/library/directory/benefits/dta-policies-materials

Links


USDA publishes proposed, interim and final rules => www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
USDA’s policy memos and program updates => www.fns.usda.gov/snap/whats-new
DTA’s website => www.mass.gov/lists/dta-regulations
Mass. Court System website => www.mass.gov/lists/106-cmr
DTA Online Guide => www.mass.gov/service-details/dtas-online-guide
Masslegalservices.org/library/directory/benefits/dta-policies-materials => Masslegalservices.org/library/directory/benefits/dta-policies-materials