What's new at MLS

In its final days of formal session, the legislature passed two important laws that will expand access to behavioral health services for people with substance use disorders and autism spectrum disorders including provisions specifically covering MassHealth. Great work by legislative champions &…

As an organization that works with low income people in Massachusetts, we wanted to make sure that your staff knows about the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder -- a new, web based tool that connects low income people in Massachusetts with legal help. To use the LRF, which is free, people go…

We are writing to ask SNAP Coalition Members to flag SNAP or cash cases of individuals currently or previously denied or terminated from SNAP or cash assistance benefits because DTA thought they were incarcerated. DTA started an "automated" prison match with the Department of Corrections (DOC)…

For Immediate Release - June 20, 2014 Patrick Administration Announces Steps to Ensure Equity in Health Care Coverage for Gender Dysphoria BOSTON The Patrick Administration today announced reforms to health care insurance coverage to ensure that Massachusetts residents who need transgender…

The clock is ticking - June 30th is the deadline for School Districts to notify the Mass Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) they wish to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and provide free lunch and breakfast to all children in one or more schools,…

As you know, the new computer eligibility system is still broken & MassHealth continues to refine the "work-arounds" to provide benefits in the meantime. Until recently most non-citizens who do not have an eligible immigration status, applied for benefits after Jan. 1, 2014 & were…

Did you know that there are 880 elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts - of nearly 2,000 schools - that have high percentages of low income students and could be providing free breakfast and lunches to ALL students in the school or throughout the school district? Community…

Hospital presumptive eligibility. A May MassHealth provider bulletin describes coverage under a new process called hospital-determined presumptive eligibility. Participating hospitals can make a preliminary decision that someone is likely to be eligible for MassHealth Standard, or CarePlus…

An important announcement from the Massachusetts Health Care Training Forum on how children receiving (AA) assistance or temporary coverage can receive behavioral health services:   See the May 2014 MassHealth All Provider Bulletin 245 for information on how…

MLRI recently became aware of a number of SNAP web applications denied for lack of verification of residence, even though the applicant submitted a current RMV license or state ID.  SNAP Coalition members also flagged this problem at the May 20th Coalition meeting. Under…