Interested applicants will need to provide some documentation to verify their eligibility for the Social Equity Program (SEP) when submitting their application. Below please find some documentation best practices to help with the application process.
Types of documents needed to prepare for the application process:
- A Massachusetts driver’s record or Massachusetts ID card record
- A signed lease agreement that includes the applicant’s full name
- Residential property deed that includes the applicant’s full name
- School records with the applicant’s full name and address
- Housing authority records with the applicant’s full name and address
- Banking records with the applicant’s full name and address
- Utility bills, which identifies energy and water use
- Dated notices or correspondence from a local or state government entity that includes the applicant’s full name and address
Documentation Guidelines:
- All documents must be clear and legible
- Documents cannot be self-prepared
- All leases must be signed and dated
- Five years of residency in a Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA) can be composed of multiple years in different DIAs and does not need to be a consecutive five-year period
- Please note: DIAs may divide streets and neighborhoods into several different census tracts. Do not assume you meet the criteria based on a nearby neighbors’ acceptance into the program
- You must verify that your address is in a DIA by using the Census GEOCODER
- Documents submitted must be from official entities with verifiable records such as driving records, utility bills, banking statements, voter registrations, tax transcripts, etc.
- Income verification and proof of DIA documentation examples can include bank statements, IRS transcripts, W2s, government agency etc. (Income verification documentation is only required for one year)
- Verify that your income is less than 400% of the Area Median Income
- Documentation should not include unverifiable information such as marketing advertisements, 1040 tax filings, or residents that are not located in DIAs
- All documents must be verifiable
Attend an Application Support Webinar
The Commission is hosting a series of Application Support Webinars to assist prospective applicants with applying to the SEP.
Application Clinic participants will receive support in the following areas:
- Creating a MassCIP account;
- Understanding eligibility criteria for acceptance into the SEP;
- Learning about required and accepted documentation;
- Clarifying SEP benefits; and
- Answers to frequently asked questions.
No event found!
Watch this video to learn more about the documentation you would need to submit with your application.
Guidance on Identifying DIAs
The Commission has currently designated 30 communities in Massachusetts as “Disproportionately Impacted Areas” (DIAs). You can search an address to determine if it is designated as a DIA. Instructions for searching an address can be found in this guidance document.
Additional examples of eligible documentation:
- If you were registered to vote, you may be able to obtain proof of residency by contacting a local election official and asking for your voting record.
- If you are a Massachusetts driver, you may be able to obtain proof by requesting your driving record online, in person, by phone or by mail, from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. This may be submitted in lieu of a physical driver’s license or if your driver’s license does not date back far enough. Please note fees are associated with requesting driving records.
MassCIP Tutorials
Interested participants can apply to the SEP via the Commission’s online Massachusetts Cannabis Industry Portal (MassCIP).
General tutorials to help navigate MassCIP are available here.
Video instructions to help guide you through the SEP application process are available here.
Still Have Questions?
For more information on how to apply, read our Frequently Asked Questions about the Social Equity Program.
For More Information
For questions regarding the Commission’s Equity Programs, email Equity@CCCMass.com or call (774) 415-0200.
Join Our Social Equity Mailing List Today
Stay up-to-date on the latest information and important dates and deadlines.
Attend a Public
Meeting
The Cannabis Control Commission conducts
meetings and other events to keep you informed.
Subscribe to Our
Notice List
Sign up for updates from the
Cannabis Control Commission.
Attend a Public
Meeting
The Cannabis Control Commission conducts meetings and other events to keep you informed.
Subscribe to Our
Notice List
Sign up for updates from the Cannabis Control Commission.
