What's new at MLS

C’mon Massachusetts - we can do this. Let’s dial it up. National sign on letter to protect SNAP - DEADLINE today, Feb 28th! Our colleagues at the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) told us last night they have over 1,000 orgs signed on and at least 122 MA orgs in national sign-on letter to…

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…

We have recently learned of an issue regarding possible unauthorized use of recipient EBT cards by a third party (i.e. staff or house managers) at "sober houses" in Massachusetts. A sober house is like a group home or congregate living situation that may serve as transitional housing for…

USDA just issued the 2013 poverty guidelines, which will be effective tomorrow (1/24/13). The new numbers reflect a 2.1% increase in the consumer price index for urban consumers (CPI-U).  Here's a link to the new HHS tables (100% FPL): …

Below is a recent press release from the Food Research Action Center with links to their School Breakfast Report Card and Report on Large School Districts. As you will see, Boston has excellent participation (in the top 10 of urban schools) but the rest of the state lags WAY behind.  MA is…