What's new at MLS

See email below from the BHA announcing an important community forum on the ARRA cuts. According to ABCD staff, attendees will view MLRI's short ARRA cuts YouTube videos (English and Spanish) as well as receive materials produced by DTA, MLRI and Project Bread materials that explain the cuts, help…

Please read this email from the Connector with important information about notices going out telling people now on Commonwealth Care  that Commonwealth Care is ending Dec 31 and what to do if they are among those who will have to reapply to remain insured on Jan. 1.    About…

Below is a statement from Massachusetts Administration and Finance Secretary Glen Shor to the Masschusetts Legislature, issued October 2nd, regardin the impact on the federal government shutdown on state services:      To: State Legislature From: Secretary Glen Shor Date:…

The graphic below from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities highlights the impact of the SNAP cut starting November 1st. See also August 2013 CBPP analysis of cuts by state.    We urge Coalition members to take every opportunity to talk with SNAP…

In the past six weeks, DTA has issued over a dozen 2013 “Operations Memos” announcing policy changes to the SNAP and cash assistance programs. The following Operations Memos (OM) advise DTA workers that DTA Central Office is looking at certain data matches. MLRI and our legal services colleagues are…

In the past six weeks, DTA has issued over a dozen 2013 “Operations Memos” announcing policy changes to the SNAP and cash assistance programs.  The following DTA Operations Memos affect verification of income. Please let us know if you see any problems with implementation in your SNAP advocacy work.…

Below is a press release from USDA Secretary Vilsack's team announcing the result of the MA Healthy Incentives Pilot (HIP) that was conducted by DTA and USDA in Western MA between Nov 2011 and Dec 2012, as well as other USDA pilots and initiatives around the country to support SNAP recipients in…

DTA recently issued a number of policy memos we wish to bring to your attention.  Some of these policy memos will have an impact on your clients. DTA has issued these memos largely in response to recent negative press including a report by the State Inspector General that took issue with DTA’s lack…

The Connector has released a notice of grant opportunities for "Navigators" to assist people in getting enrolled in health care coverage in 2014.  This is related to federal health health reform. Navigators will be expected to do outreach events to get the word out about…

Did you know that close to half of the SNAP households in Massachusetts have at least one elderly or disabled member?  There are special SNAP rules for households with an elder and/or disabled adult member worth noting. The federal and SNAP rules allow certain persons to qualify…