State Representative Judith Garcia updated the Chelsea City Council during the public-speaking period that recent court orders created confusion over federal SNAP payments but that, "as of this morning, residents of Chelsea... your benefits have been restored." She said the House and governor moved quickly after a favorable court ruling and that 56% of affected households had already accessed restored benefits, with the remainder due to receive payments later in the week.

Garcia said the Legislature is also reviewing the state’s $8.3 billion rainy-day fund and has convened a committee that will issue recommendations by Dec. 15; she said she planned to return to the council with an update. "We have a rainy-day fund... we need to be measured," she said, urging collaboration between state and municipal leaders on any use of those reserves.

Separately, the city manager reported that United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley has pledged $100,000 toward a relaunch of the 1 Chelsea Fund, an emergency assistance program that previously distributed about $115,000 to 277 individuals and issued 91 e-cards since February 2024. The manager’s communication recommended the council accept the gift and consider a $100,000 city match; an order to accept the United Way gift and a linked appropriation from the city’s stabilization fund were placed on the agenda and moved to Ways and Means for further action.

Councilors expressed urgency about food access while state processes continue. One councilor noted the immediate local need, saying the $100,000 match is welcomed but is "a drop in the bucket compared to the need" and urged quicker, sustained supports for households now facing food insecurity.

What’s next: the United Way grant acceptance and the proposed $100,000 city appropriation were referred to the council’s Ways and Means committee for formal consideration and final vote.

Sources: Remarks by Judith Garcia, public-speaking period; city manager communications transmitted to the council.