What's new at MLS

Please see the MassHealth alert below written in High Bureaucratese.  Apparently there was a glitch from an unspecified date that was detected in early March and fixed on March 17 affecting an unspecified number of people being redetermined or under deadlines to return verification…

DTA has informed us that as of this morning BEACON (DTA's eligibility system) is down statewide. This means, for example, that workers cannot go in to look at case information or take other action on a case in the computer system. DTA has added language to the Assistance Line that there is a…

Press Release is posted here: https://www.mass.gov/news/masshealth-to-improve-management-of-long-term-services-and-supports For Immediate Release - February 28, 2017 MassHealth to Improve Management of Long-Term Services and Supports Contract with Optum Government Solutions, Inc. to…

On Feb 24, MassHealth released two notices of proposed changes to two different LTSS services: Adult Foster Care & Personal Care Attendant Services. Each is scheduled for a public hearing at U Mass in Worcester on different days. The AFC public hearing is March 17. The PCA public hearing…

Across the nation, and within Massachusetts, more schools are offering universal free meals - breakfast and lunch - to low income students. Between SY2014/15 and SY2015/16 (this school year), the number of school districts that are eligible for the "community eligibility provision"…

USDA has released some very useful demographic information for your advocacy work, a cautionary alert about SNAP scammer,  and two upcoming Webinars for Spanish speakers.  Check it out!  1) SNAP Demographics by Congressional Districts: Using SNAP program data and information…

TO:  Food SNAP Coalition Members FR:  Pat Baker Happy Veterans Day and Happy 11-11-11.  We wanted to be sure you saw today's Globe editorial exhorting local cities and towns to reach out to local veterans and their families in financial need and help them access…

We received a copy of the email below llate last week announcing a change in the guard at DTA. Julia Kehoe will be moving over to EOHHS to take on a new Senior Policy Development position and Daniel Curley of the Justice Resource Institute will be taking the DTA helm. EOHHS Secretary Dr. Bigby's…

This is late breaking news, and many of you may not have even known trouble was brewing.  Late last night the U.S. Senate voted DOWN a proposal to cut SNAP benefits including BOTH our Massachusetts Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown!! The vote was 41 Yes to 58 Nays on one very harmful amendment.…

Sending Client Documents to DTA Boston Web SNAP Unit – Secure Email OptionFollwing recent discussions with the Boston Centralized Web Unit about ways to improve SNAP application processing, agencies that serve clients in theBoston Web Unit catchment areas have the opportunity to set up secure…