MLRI Budget analysis, P-EBT slides, LGBTQ+ SNAP protections, ACP training!
05/13/22
A number of updates in today's eblast. Our next Coalition meeting will be on Tuesday, May 24 from 10-11:30. Here’s the Zoom link.
MLRI budget analysis of FY 23 Senate Ways and Means Proposed Budget
Here's MLRI's hot off the press analysis of the FY23 Senate Ways and Means Proposed Budget that focuses on selected line items and outside sections of the just released Senate budget, notably the basic needs programs that affect thousands of low income constituents in Massachusetts.Stay tuned for updates on amendments being filed!
P-EBT slides from DTA - P-EBT for many school aged kids coming on 5/25!
Thank you to DTA for doing a special second Tuesday Coalition meeting with us and for sharing the details on how Pandemic EBT benefits will be issued for eligible school aged kids starting on May 25th. Attached are the slides from DTA. Check out MAp-EBT.org as well for continued updates on the details!
USDA requires states to investigate allegations of discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation
We are so glad to share this update from USDA and the Biden Administration's work to combat discrimination agains the LGBTQIA+ community. Check out the full USDA press release with more details here. Here is a particularly powerful excerpt:
Historically, the LGBTQI+ community has faced striking economic and social disparities, such as higher rates of poverty, unemployment and nutrition insecurity. For example, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, more than 13% of LGBTQ respondents lived in a household that experienced food insecurity, compared to 7.2% of non-LGBTQ adult respondents. This survey also found food insufficiency – not always having enough food to eat – to be three times as common among transgender individuals (nearly 24% of respondents) as compared to cisgender individuals (8.3% of respondents).
“Whether you are grocery shopping, standing in line at the school cafeteria, or picking up food from a food bank, you should be able to do so without fear of discrimination,” said Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean. “No one should be denied access to nutritious food simply because of who they are or how they identify.”
“Whether you are grocery shopping, standing in line at the school cafeteria, or picking up food from a food bank, you should be able to do so without fear of discrimination,” said Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean. “No one should be denied access to nutritious food simply because of who they are or how they identify.”
NOBODY in Massachusetts or the nation should face discrimination when applying for or receiving SNAP. If you ever work with someone who feels they faced discrimination, reach out! We can work with you on what options that person has.
MLRI training on the Affordable Connectivity Program - May 18 @ 10AM
ALL SNAP households are eligible - in addition to many other low-income groups - for up to a $30/month discount on broadband costs and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. There are over 600,000 Massachusetts SNAP households who could benefit from this program! MLRI is hosting an information session to share more information on how to connect families to this critical program on Wednesday, May 18th at 10 AM. Click here to register!
We are thrilled DTA has been a national leader in getting the word out on ACP through texts and outreach. See blog post from FRAC's Ellen Vollinger on the ACP and the role of SNAP agencies and stakeholders on getting the word out!
| Attachment | Size |
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| Boston__Coalition_Presentation_SY21-22_P-EBT.2.pdf (1.01 MB) | 1.01 MB |