WORCESTER, Mass. – A recent report by the Boston Herald reveals SNAP card benefits were being used out of state, in what it calls popular vacation destinations like Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Alaska, California and Florida.

The Department of Transitional Assistance said the law prohibits purchases of certain items and purchases at certain locations, and any out-of-state usage beyond approved temporary absences can result in a person no longer receiving assistance due to not meeting Massachusetts residency requirements.

State Sen. Peter Durant said there needs to be better control on where the benefits are being used.

“You know, a lot of the push back comes from saying, you know, people have the right to travel, people have the right to do these things,” said Durant. “But again, I kind of always go back to the basic premise of what EBT is for and what these programs are meant to do, which is provide families with that help they need in buying food, in buying clothes, in other necessities. Especially, as we in Massachusetts is starting to head for some more difficult times. We know that the budgeting process here in Massachusetts is getting more difficult, that revenues are starting to fall off. And so, we need to be as efficient as we can with the money that we that we give out.”

The DTA said people who qualify for SNAP benefits must have an annual income at least 200% below the federal poverty level.