Do you know about the extra money you get
for fruits and vegetables through SNAP? Check out the Healthy Incentives Program!
The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) helps you buy more fresh fruits and vegetables. If you are a SNAP recipient in Massachusetts, SNAP dollars you spend on produce at participating farmstands, farmers markets, and other local food businesses will automatically reload back onto your EBT card.
Where to Use the Healthy Incentives Program
Locate your nearest HIP vendor with the new HIP Map from the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). You can enter your town/city and find the nearest farms to you that participate in HIP.
If you’re at a farmer’s market, farmstand, or mobile market, or looking for a CSA (community-supported agriculture share), look for the HIP logo or ask if they take HIP.
How the Healthy Incentives Program Works
The SNAP dollars you spend on locally-grown fruits and vegetables instantly reload back onto your EBT card up to a certain amount each month.
| Household Size | HIP Amount |
|---|---|
| 1-2 persons | +$40 |
| 3-5 persons | +$60 |
| 6+ persons | +$80 |
Your Healthy Incentives Program dollars don’t roll over month-to-month like SNAP—your monthly HIP renews the first day of each month. If you don’t use all of your HIP dollars by the end of each month, any amount left over will be lost.
You must have at least $1 on your SNAP card to make HIP purchases.
When you buy locally-grown fruits and vegetables with SNAP, the receipt will show the amount you earned back onto your EBT card.
No separate signup is required! If you have an active EBT card in Massachusetts, you can immediately use HIP at participating businesses.
The Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program is a separate program that does not interact with HIP. However, if you’ve received P-EBT, please consider applying for SNAP.
What You Can Buy with the Healthy Incentives Program
HIP-eligible foods are fresh, canned, dried and frozen fruits and vegetables without added sugar, salt, fats or oils. They can be whole or cut.
Some examples of HIP-eligible fruits and vegetables include:
- Onions
- Pears
- Garlic
- Peppers
- Broccoli
- Fresh herbs
- Tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- Applesauce
- Frozen berries
- Dried mushrooms
- Vegetable seeds and starter plants for your garden (e.g., tomato seeds or tomato plants)
Foods that are NOT HIP-eligible include:
- Vegetable and fruit juices (including apple cider)
- Creamed or sauced vegetables
- Dried spices and herbs
- Olives
- Ketchup and other condiments
- Baked goods
Find a full list of HIP-eligible and non-eligible foods from the State of Massachusetts.
More HIP Tips
To check your HIP balance, look at the “HIP Earned MTD” line on your receipt when you make a HIP purchase. That will show you how much of your HIP amount you’ve spent so far this month.
Try to use your EBT card for HIP purchases early in the month. That way, you can spend the extra SNAP dollars you earn through HIP on any other SNAP-eligible foods later on in the month. Make sure you get the most out of these extra SNAP dollars each month!
Most grocery stores or other chain stores like Target or Walmart do NOT accept HIP. The program works at farmers markets, farmstands, mobile markets, etc. to support our local agricultural community.
Other Healthy Incentives Program Resources
For questions about how HIP works or where you can use your HIP benefit please call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.
The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) oversees HIP across the state. You can email them with HIP questions at DTA.HIP@state.ma.us.