The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is changing its backend Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) vendor. As a part of this transition, there will be a planned temporary outage of EBT services, meaning that all SNAP cards will not be able to be used for a brief period of time.

On Saturday, April 26, starting at 11 p.m. until midday Sunday, April 27, EBT cardholders will not be able to use their cards for food purchases, cash purchases, or cash withdrawals.

Real-time updates will be available on DTA's website and our social media pages throughout the transition period.

This month, MassDEP is making three grant programs available to cities and towns, nonprofits, schools and colleges, businesses, and regional authorities to address solid waste and recycling issues. These programs support many solid waste and recycling areas including composting, rescue/reuse/repair, and innovative waste reduction technologies and strategies.

Program: Sustainable Materials Recovery Program Municipal Grant
Eligible Entities: Cities, towns, regional authorities

Application Opens: April 1, 2025

Application Deadline: June 2, 2025

Additional Information: MassDEP seeks grant proposals from municipal entities for the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP), which supports local recycling, composting/organics, re-use, source reduction, program development, and education and enforcement activities that increase diversion and reduce disposal.

Website: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-sustainable-materials-recovery-program-smrp-municipal-grant

Program: Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grants
Eligible Entities: Nonprofits, businesses, schools, colleges, regional authorities, cities and towns

Application Opens: April 15, 2025

Application Deadline: May 15, 2025

Additional Information: Micro-Grants range from a minimum of $3,000 to a maximum of $10,000 for projects that reduce waste by extending the life of products through donation, sharing, rescue, reuse and/or repair. These grants are not for recycling and composting projects.

Website: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/massdep-reduce-reuse-repair-micro-grant

Program: (new!) Waste Reduction Innovation Grants
Eligible Entities: Nonprofit and for profit companies

Application Opens: April 15, 2025

Application Deadline: July 15, 2025

Additional Information: MassDEP announces the first-time offering under the Waste Reduction Innovations Grant (WRIG) program for businesses, organizations, and institutions in Massachusetts that are incorporating cutting edge solutions, new waste reduction applications and innovative technologies for waste reduction, reuse and recovery strategies. WRIG will support critical materials management and infrastructure improvements, allow substantial regional reuse/recycling capacity for new and difficult to manage waste materials with greater efficiency, and increase the quality, performance, and value of recovered materials.

Website: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/waste-reduction-innovation-grant

Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Mass Cultural Council and Mass Humanities today announced that Massachusetts is now accepting applications to fill the role of Poet Laureate of Massachusetts.

More information can be found in the link provided https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/apply-to-become-massachusetts-first-poet-laureate/

The Poet Laureate application deadline is April 10, 2025. The Nominating Committee will review applications and refer two candidates to the Governor for her decision. The Poet Laureate is expected to be named by Governor Healey in late May/early June.

Upcoming webinar co-hosted by MassHealth and Health Connector for Individuals and Families on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. 

To help those who may be in need of health insurance or would like to learn more about MassHealth and Health Connector coverage options and resources available to help.

• On Wednesday, March 19^th at 12 pm, the Health Connector team members will be presenting information about Health and Dental Coverage Options for Massachusetts Residents Losing Employer Insurance
• Register for event - https://malink.co/webinar-031925

Additional information about the Health Connector as a resource for individuals who are uninsured, or recently lost coverage can be found below:

• A quick reference document highlighting what the Health Connector is, the supports offered, and what steps to take if you’ve lost health insurance coverage can be accessed online: health-coverage-after-a-job-loss-2025-eng.pdf
• This landing page outlines the steps an individual should take if they are in need of health insurance coverage: The right plan at the right time - Apply for health coverage

Today, Governor Healey announced the Healey-Driscoll’s Energy Affordability Agenda, which includes relief to energy customers.

For immediate release: 

March 5, 2025 

MassDOT and Fundación MAPFRE Announce Third Annual High School Roadway Safety Public Service Contest 

Contest seeks to engage students and underscore the importance of driving safely 

Deadline for contest submissions is Friday, March 21

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), in collaboration with global nonprofit Fundación MAPFRE, is pleased to announce the launch of the third annual roadway safety public service contest for Massachusetts high school students. The contest, which was launched in 2022 as part of Fundación MAPFRE’s Look Both Ways Program, seeks to help students raise awareness with their peers and underscore the importance of being safe while driving on roadways across the Commonwealth.  

“MassDOT is excited to renew our partnership with Fundación MAPFRE for the third annual roadway safety education contest,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Engaging young drivers in safety education is a crucial step in our mission to enhance road safety, and we look forward to seeing the innovative ideas that students will present this year. Their participation is vital to our efforts to create a future free of roadway injuries and fatalities.”   

 “While statistics show a decline in road-related fatalities among young drivers over the past several decades, it remains the leading cause of death for that group,” said Jaime Tamayo, Chief Representative of Fundación MAPFRE in the United States and CEO of MAPFRE USA. “It is inspiring to watch students deliver a serious message in creative ways to reinforce the importance of safe driving habits. This contest represents a great example of how peer-to-peer engagement can encourage change.” 

To enter the contest, high schools can visit: https://www.fundacionmapfre.org/en/look-both-ways/. The deadline for contest submissions is Friday, March 21.  Students with the winning submission will work with the Boston Creative Communications Agency (CTP) to produce the spot, which is anticipated to air in the spring before prom and graduation season. Additionally, the winning students’ school will receive a $3,000 prize provided by Fundación MAPFRE.   

About Fundación MAPFRE’s Road Safety initiative: Fundación MAPFRE, a non-profit based in Madrid, Spain, with North American headquarters in Webster, Massachusetts, aims to promote the well-being of society. One of the action areas to which the foundation is dedicated is prevention and road safety. It believes that, if the Vision Zero movement in 1997 led to a revolution in our understanding of road safety, the current goal should be to reach the point where there are no fatalities or road-related injuries.   

For immediate release: 

March 6, 2025 

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Reminds Residents REAL ID Compliance Becomes Effective on May 7  

Due to federal requirement, anyone traveling by plane domestically, or wishing to enter secure federal facilities, will need a REAL ID or Passport 

Additional information on required documents, making an appointment, or renewing a credential can be found at Mass.Gov/REALID 

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding residents that, beginning May 7, anyone traveling by plane domestically or entering certain federal facilities will need a Registry-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport. The Registry is strongly encouraging everyone seeking a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card to go online now at Mass.Gov/REALID to learn what documents are needed for a required in-person appointment. With two months to go until May 7, Massachusetts is at 56 percent REAL ID adoption, with over 3 million credentials being REAL ID-compliant. 

To receive their credential in the mail, which can take 10 to 14 business days, in time for a scheduled domestic flight, customers who require an in-person appointment should schedule their appointment at least three weeks prior to their flight. 

“May 7 is almost here, and we remind everyone to check your wallets and make sure you and your family members have the credentials that you need, depending on your travel plans,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “We want to make sure everyone is cleared for takeoff. Go to Mass.Gov/REALID, get informed on what documents you will need, and determine if you must order any replacement documents.” 

The fee to obtain or renew a REAL ID compliant credential is the same as obtaining or renewing the equivalent non-compliant credential: 

• The fee for renewing a non-commercial standard or a REAL ID driver’s license is $50. 
• The fee for renewing a Mass ID is $25. 
• The amendment fee for upgrading to REAL ID credential before an existing credential’s expiration is $25. 
• Customers with a less than five-year stay in the U.S. pay a pro-rated fee.

Appointments can be scheduled by visiting the RMV’s Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/myRMV or if you are a AAA member at https://northeast.aaa.com/automotive/registry-services/massachusetts.html.   

The RMV has posted helpful information on REAL ID requirements that customers can use to prepare for their in-person visits, including convenient document checklists to help pre-stage REAL ID applications, at Mass.Gov/REALID. Documents required for this transaction include: 

• proof of lawful presence,
• two (2) proofs of Massachusetts residency, and 
• proof of a full Social Security Number (SSN). 

Customers who have had a name change since the issuance of a birth certificate, passport, or other lawful presence document, will need to show the reason for the name change by presenting documentation like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court document. These required documents must be original or certified versions. The RMV recommends customers gather these documents well in advance of appointments to ensure they have the information required by federal law.  

Customers are eligible to renew up to one year in advance of the expiration date printed on their license or ID. Customers who already have a compliant credential may renew online as long as they have not had a name change.    

Prior to May 7, 2025, customers will not need a federally compliant REAL ID for the purposes of boarding domestic flights or entering certain federal facilities.  

For additional information and details on these and other RMV service offerings, please visit Mass.Gov/RMV. 

For information on acceptable identification at airport security points, please visit tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.