What's new at MLS

Many of you have asked for SNAP data by city/town or Zip code on the impact of the SNAP caseload reduction in Massachusetts.  While the SNAP caseload has indeed started to turn the corner and increase since May 2015, the MA caseload has still suffered a serious decline.  We are providing you with a…

SNAP Caseload Update - MA continues to improve USDA data shows .6% increase in Massachusetts for July 2015. For the third month in a row, the SNAP household participation has increased. The most recent available data posted in October for July 2015 shows a .6% increase for MA. The…

1. Substance use disorder services  Last year a state law improving substance use disorder services was enacted (c. 258 St. 2014). A provision requiring MassHealth & MassHealth managed care plans to cover detox and up to 14 day crisis stabilization services without prior authorization…

Please see email from Frank Martinez Nocito re second round of FINI grants announced by USDA. If your organization is interested in applying, please contact Frank at DTA directly. And REMINDER -  Statewide Food for Good Conference at UMass Amherst on Friday, October 30th! Central MA…

1. MassHealth Renewals Extension to Oct 16 for people with disabilities. In August MassHealth notified about 35,000 households containing 62,000 individuals with at least one member with a disability that they had to submit a reapplication by Sept 15 to remain eligible for MassHealth. The…

We are writing to give you more updates of PROGRESS being made in Massachusetts!  Some of this is "in the weeds" -  but since many of you ask about or follow this stuff so, here goes:  1.  BEACON System Improvements for SNAP Applications and Interim Reporting:…

Greetings and welcome to September The following email is to give you some brief updates on recent SNAP policy items of interest. 1) SNAP and Medical Expense Deduction: In its August 2015 Transitions Magazine, DTA included a number of Policy Hotline questions and answers for…

1. MassHealth Renewals. MassHealth is about half-way through the process of renewing eligibility for 1.2 million beneficiaries before the end of 2015. Renewals for People with Disabilities Underway-Workaround needed for some adults About 36,000 households with at least one member with a…

Fallon Total Care, one of the plans contracted with MassHealth and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide One Care as part of the Massachusetts capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration, has decided that they will be leaving One Care as of September 30, 2015. Fallon Total…

Please see attached letter from Commissioner McCue regarding changes at the Springfield State St. DTA office.    TODAY, July 31, will be the last day for walk-in services at the State Street location. Starting on Monday, August 3, DTA will move services for walk-in clients to…