What's new at MLS

MLRI Infographic on SNAP and Older Adults: Attached​ is a two page info-graphic with key facts about SNAP, food security and low income older adults in Massachusetts. Big thanks to MLRI's AmeriCorps Wesley Chrabasz for his work on this infographic.  Please let Wes know if you have older…

Tomorrow Jan 23 is the last day of open enrollment for coverage through the Connector. That means the last day to apply for coverage and for those eligible for a ConnectorCare plan or Health Connector Plan, to select a plan and pay any premium due in order to be enrolled by Feb…

The following information is from our health law colleagues:  Tomorrow Jan 23 is the last day of open enrollment for coverage through the Connector. That means the last day to apply for coverage and for those eligible for a ConnectorCare plan or Health Connector Plan, to…

  Federal Poverty Level increase:  The US Department of Health and Human Services has just announced the 2018 increase (2.1%) in the federal poverty level (FPL) in the Federal Register,…

SSA  2% COLA: Thousands of low income seniors and persons with disabilities started receiving a 2% Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) this month. This 2% increase affects both Social Security "Retirement, Survivor's and Disability Insurance" (RSDI) and…

MassHealth has sent out notices to people now enrolled in Basic and Essential as  well as some people now in Comm. Care or the Health Safety Net about their coverage changing to MassHealth CarePlus on Jan. 1.   People with disabilities or other special health care needs can choose to…

We just received word from the Commissioner's office that they have agreed to issue overnight EBT cards to any SNAP recipients whose EBT photo card did not reach them and their current blue card is not active or the envelope was returned to DTA by the postal service as undeliverable. As you…

At the SNAP Coalition meeting on Tuesday we heard from DTA that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is currently updating databases that DTA workers use to verify Social Security (also called RSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The update will continue through…

1.  Changes to Virtual Gateway SNAP/MassHealth Combo Apps due to Health Care Reform:  We are writing to let SNAP Coalition Members know that the MassHealth Virtual Gateway (VG) portal will be converting to the new health care exchange portal or ConnectorCare system…

DTA has just issued guidance implementing the new EBT Photo card requirements: Operations Memo 2013-57A and Operations Memo 2013-58A. The bulk of the Photo EBT card changes and guidelines are detailed in Operations Memo 2013-57. This email summarizes the key information you should know as Ops…