covid

DTA Local Office Contacts This directory includes address, phone, and fax information, as well as the names of the directors and assistant directors of each local office.  Note that this is current as of September 2024. There may have been changes since that time. To contact a…

A list of health programs available to all Massachusetts residents regardless of US citizenship or immigration status with a short description of each program and information on how to apply; in English, Spanish & Portuguese. Revised in March 2024 with updated COVID-19 information. 

UPDATE MAY 11, 2023 END OF FEDERAL COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY On May 11, 2023 the Secretary of HHS ended the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. See related materials here The COVID-19 Health Changes Table was last updated in March 2023 and should only be used as a reference for…

Welcome to the online course on the eviction process.  The purpose of this course is to give advocates a basic introduction to the eviction process in light of substantive and procedural changes to court rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. The course is free. It takes about an…

This is a copy of the "protection notice" that MassHealth is sending out to certain beneficiaries who had been sent a renewal form, request for information or reported a change. It notifies them that they are still enrolled in their current coverage, not because they are eligible for it,…

From the author: When a pandemic occurs, an appropriate and efficient response requires that we identify and characterize the factors that slow or accelerate transmission and the populations that are most vulnerable. High quality, accessible, trusted, timely, open, and reliable disaggregated data…

See attached order providing: Notwithstanding G. L. c. 186, G. L. c. 239 or any general or special law to the contrary, no landlord and/or owner shall serve or cause the service of notice of levy upon an eviction, or otherwise enforce a residential eviction upon a resident of Boston…

Attached is a memo written by MLRI explaining MassHealth's guidance issued on May 4, 2021 describing certain changes in the continuous coverage protections in place during the federal public health emergency including advocacy that may be needed to protect some people from losing access to…

On March 10, 2021, Congress plassed the American Rescue Plan.  President Biden signed it into law on March 11, 2021.  Below are summaries related to different subject matters. General Overview Center on Budget and Policy Priorities  Families Children's…

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a collection of volunteers spanning five continents came together to produce free mobile-friendly online court forms for use in Massachusetts.   The project operates out of Suffolk Law's Legal Innovation and…

Chart summarizing unemployment insurance benefits under the federal CARES Law (updated 11/18/20).

The attached Answer and Discovery Forms have been updated to include defenses and related discovery requests relevant to tenant defenses under the CARES Act and the CDC Moratorium (and a few additional changes noted at the end).   Here is an explanation as to why they are…

Massachusetts employers whose businesses were closed because of COVID-19 are now being allowed to reopen under an order by Governor Baker. This fact sheet provides information about how the re-opening may affect the ongoing UI eligibility of recipients who lost their jobs for COVID-19 related…

Attached is a two page flier, in English and Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Chinese about SNAP benefits for workers who lost work due to COVID-19. This flier is up to date as of 2020 - specific information may no longer be relevant.  See MassLegalServices.org/DTA-COVID-19…

UIPP 20.12 discusses Availability and Suitable Work Issues- Caregiver Responsibilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Monica Halas has prepared a memo background memo explaining the policy.

To provide guidance to DUA staff regarding Emergency Regulations that were filed to establish procedures and interpret the provisions of G.L. 151A to alleviate hardship caused by COVID-19.

A presentation for service prividers about RAFT/ERMA during COVID-19.

Please see the attached FAQ 

This is a resource produced by MassHealth with help from the Dept. of Telecommunications that lays out in table form  resources available from many different Broadband and Telephone carriers for discounted or free service or devices including many temporary special offers related to…

Resources related to best practices for remote hearings. National Housing Law Project compilation -- includes Michigan State Administrative Office of Courts National Institute for Trial Advocacy OntarioAdvocates Society of Ont Florida Supreme Court Texas Courts Minnesota…

Links to materials with guidance and suggestions regarding working with clients remotely. Best practices for providing legal aid and working remotely -- Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project Remote Legal Support Guide  -- ProBonoNet

Click the "Go to Website" link to access the Massachusetts DUA's TeleCert instructions in multiple languages.

On May 27, 2020, the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission sponsored a virtual question and answer session for community advocates in Massachusetts about protective orders, family law questions, and accessing Massachusetts courts for protective orders and family law help during the COVID-19…

The regulations make several changes for the purposes of providingunemployment benefits to as many people as possible who have been affected. The regulations have been implemented immediately as a result of the hardshipthat COVID-19 may cause in workers and employers. Discusses standby status,…

Worker Centers in Massachusetts (a non-exhaustive list) Worker centers are community-based organizations that provide, among many things, organizing support for low wage workers. They are often the only support/friend/ally that immigrant workers have, especially recent arrivals. Worker…

This guide describes where to enter unemployment income on the combined application form used to apply for both MassHealth and help paying for private insurance from the Health Connector. It includes pictures of what some of  the key screens of the online health application look like…

On March 27, 2020, the president signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) into law. The law includes important, immediate protections for tenants and homeowners. The federal eviction moratorium for tenants living in certain types of housing is…

Boston, Mass. – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), a nonprofit statewide poverty law and policy center that advances laws and policies to secure economic, racial and social justice for low-income people and communities, is celebrating the passage of eviction and foreclosure moratorium…

On March 18, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was enacted. It prohibited states from ending coverage for Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled on March 18, 2020 or later and continuing until the end of the COVID-19 emergency. CMS has issued two sets of FAQs for the states with more…

Click the "go to website" link below to access a google document maintained by Mass Law Reform Institute with the latest information for attorneys and advocates.

Click the "go to website" below to see a table summarizing key COVID-19 related changes affecting applicants and members in Medicare. This table includes links to sources, where available. It is not a complete list of every change made, but focuses on the changes that applicants, members,…

Discussing standby status, suitable work and good cause for missing deadlines dues to COVID-19.

This table provides a general overview of some of the federal public programs available to support individuals and families during the COVID-19 crisis under existing law, as well as the recently passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and…

Attached is a document with links to summaries of the Coronavirus Response Act focusing on health (National Health Law Project), immigrants (National Immigration Law Center), employment/unemployment (National Employment Law Center), and older adults (Jusitice in Aging). 

This letter from Chief Justice Casey of the Probate and Family Court provides information about co-parenting during COVID-19.  It reads in part: Parenting orders are not stayed during this period of time. In fact, it is important that children spend time with both of their parents…

Important News from MassHealth: Moratorium on Eligibility Terminations During Emergency:  MassHealth announced important new protections for MassHealth members who were enrolled in MassHealth benefits on March 18, 2020 or later. Many thanks to everyone at the Office of Medicaid for their…

See this March 23, 2020 news release from FHA: Washington, D.C. – Today, to keep renters in multifamily properties in their home and to support multifamily property owners during the coronavirus national emergency, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is announcing that Fannie Mae and…

Guidance for [Massachusetts] Employers and Employees During the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency The Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division (FLD) is receiving many questions from both employers and employees about COVID-19 and its impact on the workplace. We understand that this an…

The rapidly evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation presents many challenges to Local Housing Authorities (LHAs). DHCD has been working closely with LHAs, Department of Public Health (DPH), Executive Office of Elder Affairs(EOEA), and Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) in…

The rapidly evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation presents many challenges to Local Housing Authorities (LHAs). DHCD has been working closely with LHAs, Department of Public Health (DPH), Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), and Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED)…

Guidance from DHCD.

The Division of Insurance ("Division") issues this Bulletin to provide information to Commercial Health Insurers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., and Health Maintenance Organizations ("Carriers") about the Division's expectations regarding Carriers' appropriate coverage…

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, DHCD would like to remind all local housing authorities (LHAs) of the procedures for lowering tenant rent due to a decrease in gross monthly income (either due to a decrease in income or an increase in deductions). We all ask that LHAs remind all…

In view of the state of emergency due to COVID-19, Massachusetts has extended the Moratorium on utility shutoffs until the state of emergency in Massachusetts is lifted, or there is further communication.  See the attached letter that DPU is sending to utility companies, which sets forth…

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has provided guidance to state workforce agencies regarding unemployment eligibility for claimants that are affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVD-10.) The following information provides guidance with respect to potential…

From an email sent out by the Office of Medicaid/ EOHHS: In coordination with agencies across the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, MassHealth/ EOHHS have released provider bulletins and additional guidance in response to 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). These policies…

The Boston Housing Authority has notified the Housing Court by letter of the following: The BHA's intent to "immediately suspend its filing and prosecution of all Housing Court cases and matters with respect to its non-essential eviction actions. We define non-essential cases to be nonpayment and…

Complete with an interactive appendix, this manual will help organizations learn about and explore opportunities to build their own remote legal support projects.

Fact sheet on the earned sick time law in Massachusetts. Learn more on the Massachusetts Attorney General's website,