Dec 3rd Coalition Meeting; Update on MIRA training; New EBT Card Lock/Unlock Feature

11/27/24

SNAP Coalition on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 10-11:30

Our next Coalition meeting will be on Tuesday (we combined November and December meetings). Zoom link HERE. 

Agenda will include:

  • Federal landscape/updates 

  • DTA updates - access issues, lock/unlock EBT card option, reminder about students/verification etc. 

  • Overview of the state budget process, action steps 

  • Reminders about protecting sensitive client information 

  • Issue sharing, announcements, etc. 

12/4 Know Your Rights (KYR) Training - Over-subscribed 

In last week’s email we shared a link to the MIRA Coalition’s “Know Your Rights” 12/4 training for community organizations that work with immigrant clients. As you can imagine, this is a very important issue right now. 

Unfortunately that training filled up almost immediately (over 500 registrants), The MIRA Coalition had to stop taking registrations - which is why the registration link did not work. We are talking with our MLRI immigration Unit about hosting another training soon and will keep you posted. And we will share any available materials and recordings from the 12/4 training.  Here are some helpful KYR materials from the MIRA Coalition.

New option to lock/unlock DTA EBT card

DTA recently updated DTAConnect to allow households to choose whether to lock and unlock their EBT card. Locking the EBT card prevents theft of skimmed SNAP benefits during the time that the card is locked. When households unlock the card, the unlock action should go into effect immediately. For example, families can unlock from DTAConnect on their phone while they are in the checkout line. For more information from DTA including infographics on how to do this in multiple languages, visit Mass.gov/ProtectYourEBT. 

We think this option will help some families who are able to use it regularly, and we encourage you to share this tool with your clients! We look forward to continuing to advocate for chip/tap EBT cards for Massachusetts families - the only systemic solution that does not ask vulnerable families to protect themselves from theft.