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DTA Local Office Contact Information, Client Assistance Coordinators, Domestic Violence Specialists and DOH Liasons

DTA
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 March 2024. There may have been changes since that time. To contact a director…

Health Benefits for All Massachusetts Residents Regardless of Citizenship

MLRI
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. 

DTA SNAP and Cash Benefits: Overview

MLRI
Below are resources for community organizations and individuals. Extra Emergency SNAP Benefits - "Emergency Allotments" - Last payment was June 2 Federal extra SNAP benefits started in March 2020 and ended in February 2023. Massachusetts is leading the nation by providing state funded…

Record of COVID-19 Related changes affecting Health Coverage from March 2020-23

MLRI
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…

CELHP Eviction Process Training

MLRI
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…

MassHealth Protection Notices During COVID-19

Office of Medicaid
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,…

Why Data Disaggregation is key during a pandemic: A digital transformation toolkit

Pan American Health Organization
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…

Temporary Order Establishing an Eviction Moratorium in the City of Boston

Boston Public Health Commission
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…

MassHealth's May 2021 Changes to its COVID Continuous Coverage Protections

MLRI
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…

American Rescue Plan

Various
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…

Court Forms Online - online interview to generate 209A forms in Massachusetts

Court Forms Online - Mass Access
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…

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits under the Federal CARES Law - Chart

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

Updated Answer and Discovery Forms - Revised in light of CDC Moratorium

MLRI, et. al.
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…

Unemployment Insurance Information Related to COVID-19 as Massachusetts "re-opens"

Employment Rights Coalition
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…

FAQ: SNAP Benefits and Job Loss during COVID-19

MLRI
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 2020.12 and GBLS background memo

Department of Unemployment Assistance and Monica Halas, GBLS
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.

UIPP 2020.10: New Emergency Regulations in effect due to hardship caused by COVID-19

Department of Unemployment Assistance
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.

RAFT/ERMA during COVID-19

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

Frequently Asked Questions on PUA for Students

GBLS
Please see the attached FAQ 

Free or Discounted Broadband & Cell Phone Resources

MassHealth
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…

Remote Hearings

Various
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…

Working with clients remotely

various
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

DUA's Multilingual TeleCert Instructions

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

Virtual Q and A for Massachusetts Community Advocates on Protective Orders and Family Law Questions During Covid Pandemic

various
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…

UIPP 2020.06 Emergency Regulations in effect due to hardship caused by COVID-19

Department of Unemployment Assistance
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

Jobs with Justice
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…

Applying for Health Coverage: How does unemployment income count?

Vicky Pulos
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…

Summary and Analysis of Federal CARES Act Eviction Moratorium

National Housing Law Project
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…

MLRI Statement on the Passage of Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium Legislation

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
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…

MassHealth Continuous Coverage during COVID 19 Emergency

MLRI
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…

Immigration updates in light of COVID-19

MLRI
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.

COVID-19 Related Changes Affecting Medicare

CLA and GBLS
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,…

UIPP 2020.07 Emergency Regulations in effect due to hardship caused by COVID-19

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

Immigrant Eligibility for Public Programs During COVID-19

Protecting Immigrant Families
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…

Summaries & Analyses of Coronavirus Response Acts

NHelp, NILC, NELP, Justice in Aging
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). 

MassHealth Coverage Protected During COVID-19 Emergency

EOHHS
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…

Letter re: Co-Parenting During COVID-19

Chief Justice Casey
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…

FHFA Moves to Provide Eviction Suspension Relief for Renters in Multifamily Properties

Federal Finance Housing Agency
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…

Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations

Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General
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…

PHN 2020-11: Guidance and Best Practices for Housing Authorities during COVID-19 Emergency

DHCD
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…

PHN 2020-11: Guidance and Best Practices for Housing Authorities during COVID-19 Emergency

DHCD
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 For Family Shelter Providers Responding To Individuals Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19

DHCD
Guidance from DHCD.

Reminder of Interim Redetermination Procedures for Decreases in Gross Income

DHCD
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…

Moratorium on Utility Shutoffs in Massachusetts Extended

Department of Public Utilities
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…

UIPP 2020.05 Unemployment Compensation (UC) for Individuals Affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Department of Unemployment Assistance
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…

MassHealth Publications in Response to COVID-19

Office of Medicaid/EOHHS
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…

Bulletin to Commercial Health Insurers

Office of Consumer Affairs - Division of Insurance
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…

BHA Moratorium on Non-essential Eviction Actions

Boston Housing Authority
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…

Earned Sick Time Law in Massachusetts

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

Remote Legal Support Guide: A Best Practices Manual for Nonprofit and Pro Bono Innovation

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