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Mapping America: Every City, Every Block

New York Times
This easy to use mapping tool browses local data from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, based on samples from 2005 to 2009. Because these figures are based on samples, they are subject to a margin of error, particularly in places with a low population, and are best regarded as…

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

MLRI and WMLS
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may be available for those in a federal disaster area whose employment has been lost or interrupted due to the disaster.  In particular, people who are self-employed may be eligible for DUA benefits, even if they would not otherwise be eligible for…

Proving Your Identity After a Disaster

Mass Justice Project
A fact sheet about proving your identity after a disaster.  Click the "Go to Website" link below, to download the fact sheet from MassLegalHelp.org

Consumer Rights for DV Survivors in Massachusetts

National Consumer Law Center
Consumer Rights for Domestic Violence Survivors, National Consumer Law Center, (2011) "Many victims and survivors of domestic violence have financial difficulties. This is common and nothing to be ashamed of. Perhaps your abuser handled all the money in the household, and you are not sure…

Most Commonly Spoken Languages in Massachusetts LEP Population

Language Access Coalition
These documents contain easy-to-read graphs and tables made with information from the U.S. Census, American Community Survey, Detailed Languages Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Over for the United States, April 2010.

Serving LEP Clients 2011 Conference Virtual Handout

Language Access Coalition
The following is a virtual handout including links to many useful LEP resources compiled for the Language Access Coalition's June 3, 2011 LEP Conference. Conference Materials Handout from Michael Mulé Handout from U.S. Census-Boston Region: Your Community by Numbers Conference…

Serving LEP Clients 2011 Conference Packet

Language Access Coalition
This is a digital copy of the materials handed out at the LEP Conference on June 3, 2011.

Education of Homeless Children & Youth

National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
Education of Homeless Children and Youth- The Guide to Their Rights  Published by National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (2011) ABOUT THIS BOOKLET More than 1.35 million children and youth experience homelessness each year. These young people may be living on the streets, but…

Just for Youth: Advocating for Youth in the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
  The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee's DYS Project has released the on-line version of the Third Edition of "Just for Youth: Advocating for Youth in the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services." This edition incorporates changes in DYS policy and practice,…

Medicare Beneficiary Alert: Are You a Hospital Inpatient?

Medicare Advocacy Project
If you are a Medicare beneficiary, Medicare can pay for up to 100 days of care in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) such as a nursing home.  Unless you are in a Medicare Advantage plan which allows otherwise, to qualify for Medicare coverage, among other criteria, you must have a qualifying…

SSI Coalition Agenda, May 20, 2011

Linda Landry, Svetlana Uimenkova

White Fragility

Robin DiAngelo
White people in North America live in a social environment that protects and insulates them from race-based stress. This insulated environment of racial protection builds white expectations for racial comfort while at the same time lowering the ability to tolerate racial stress, leading to what I…

ABA HomeFront

American Bar Association
The American Bar Associations website about legal resources for military families.  Features an Information Center with publications and resources on a variety of legal topics that military families may encounter, as well as a Pro Bono Center to connect civilian attorneys to pro bono legal…

Treasury Rule Effective May 1, 2011 Protects Direct Deposits of Certain Federal Benefits from Garnishment

MLRI
Effective May 1, 2011, a new interim Treasury rule goes into effect that prevents banks from freezing and paying over money in a bank account pursuant to a court order where the bank account contains deposits from Social Security, SSI, veterans and other federal benefits, even if money from…

An Imperative for Change: Bridging Special and Language Learning Education to Ensure a Free and Appropriate Education in the Least Restrictive Environment for ELLs with Disabilities in Massachusetts

Maria de Lourdes B. Serpa
A report published by the Gaston Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy outlining analysis and recommendations for providing FAPE in the least restrictive environment for ELLs that have disabilities.

Taking Control of Your Future: A Legal Checkup

Massachusetts Bar Association
"Taking Control of Your Future: A Legal Checkup," is the MBA's resource guide on a wide range of legal issues affecting the lives of seniors. A group of volunteers from the MBA's Probate Law Section Council assisted in preparing this revised and expanded 2011 edition, which was distributed to all…

Expanding Access to Justice Through Class Action Residuals and Other Court Awards

Massachusetts IOLTA Committee
Three reports for Massachusetts Judges, Legal Services Providers and Litigants: Information for Massachusetts Judges - Effects of the SJC's Amendment to Mass. R. Civ. P. 23 Toolkit for Legal Services Providers on How to Use the SJC's Amendment to Mass. R. Civ. P. 23 Toolkit…

Military combat pay not countable for Food Stamps

MLRI
Military Combat Pay Not Countable in Food Stamps:  MLRI has received calls regarding treatment of combat pay for individuals in the US military and their dependents.  A number of these military service members have their benefits and pay deposited in joint accounts with spouses or…

Housing Discrimination - Massachusetts (LGBTQ)

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download this publication, which discusses issues surrounding housing discrimination and how to counter them, from GLAD's website.

The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

NCHE
The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) is a federally funded information and technical assistance center at SERVE Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). NCHE hosts the Homeless Education Listserv to help administrators, educators, advocates, and service…

What "Fair Housing" Means for People with Disabilities

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download the booklet from the Bazelon Center website.

Bullying and Harassment Resources

Massachusetts Advocates for Children
In May, 2010, the Massachusetts legislature passed anti-bullying legislation which took effect immediately. The following are links to resources on this topic. ChapterCCMassachusetts anti-bullying statute, Chapter 71 Section 37O. Massachusetts statute that includes information on…

Massachusetts Homestead Protection Law (effective March 16, 2011)

NCLC and MLRI
On March 16, 2011, a new Massachusetts Homestead law went into effect.  It completely revised and modernized Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 188, sections 1-10.  Here are some of the important highlights:​ Link to the new law Questions and Answers about the Homestead Act…

SNAP Caseload Increase in Massachusetts by County: July 2010 to January 2011

MLRI

For Elder and Disabled Clients: new laws to protect their money and assets

NCLC
New laws to protect money and property of the elderly and the disabled go into effect shortly.   Here are the highlights: Special protection under homestead law As of March 16, 2011, homeowners who are disabled or age 62 or older have three choices in connection with the new homestead…

Consumer Protection Law in Massachusetts

MLRI
Links about 93A, the Massachusetts Consumer Protection law: Consumer protection law summary  (Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs) Taking action fact sheet for consumer, and sample demand letter (Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs) Guide to Consumer Credit (see page…

TANF and TAFDC in Massachusetts

Deborah Harris, MLRI
An overview of the federal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) block grant as it is implemented in Massachusetts, including an explanation of the funding stream, state maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements, and what types of expenditures the state can use the TANF grant…

New Personal Property Exemption Laws Effective April 7, 2011

NCLC
On April 7, 2011, new Massachusetts laws which expand personal property exemptions go into effect.  The new laws redefine the money and personal property a creditor cannot reach to satisfy a debt.  The most significant new personal property exemptions are as follows:a car up to $7,500 in…

Breaking the Language Barrier: A Report on English Language Services in Greater Boston.

The Boston Foundation.
Breaking the Language Barrier: A Report on English Language Services in Greater Boston reports Greater Boston's immigrants and the ESOL system designed to serve them. This report notes the availability of ESOL services available to immigrant communities in the Greater Boston area.

MEPA (Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment)

MA DESE
Federal and state laws require that English language learner (ELL) students be assessed annually to measure their proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, English, as well as the progress they are making in learning English. In keeping with these laws, ELL students participated in…

Executive Order 527. “Establishing the Office of Access and Opportunity."

Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Click the "Go to Website" link below or see PDF for the text of the Executive Order 527 by which Governor Deval Patrick creates the Office of Access and Opportunity, dedicated to ensuring non-discrimination, diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of state employment, programs,…

Materials related to emerging issues with electronic benefit cards and new benefit payment methods

NCLC, Shriver Center, Consumer's Union
On February 3, 2011, the Shriver Center, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and Consumers Union hosted a free webinar to discuss the differences between various electronic benefit payment methods and investigate the implications of the new trend toward electronic payment cards (EPCs) for…

POMS SI 02302.200 Charted Threshold Amounts

SSA
Determination of 1619(b) eligibility

Communicating More for Less: Using Translation and Interpretation Technology to Serve Limited English Proficient Individuals

Jessica Sperling, Migration Policy Institute
From MPI's website: "Advances in translation and interpretation technology have given language access professionals a multitude of options for breaking down language barriers. However, with different and seemingly complex types of technologies now available, selecting the right…

2011 SSI Eligibility, Income Conversions, Deeming Chart

Division of Perinatal Early Childhood & Special Health Needs, MA DPH

SSA Info on Rep Payee Misuse of Benefits

Office of the Inspector General

Fact Sheet: 2011 Social Security Changes

SSA
There is no increase in monthly SSDI and SSI benefits in 2011 because there is no increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2008 (the last year a COLA was determined), to the third quarter of 2010.

GPO Access (links to CFR, Fed. Reg. , U.S. Code)

U.S. Government

Link to National Health Care for the Homeless Council Resources on Disability

National Health Care for the Homeless Council

2011 SSI Payment Levels and SSDI/SSI Thresholds

Disability Law Center

FACT SHEET: MEDICARE PREMIUMS, DEDUCTIBLES FOR 2011

CMS
Different categories of Medicare beneficiaries will have different Medicare costs in 2011:People who have been paying for their Medicare Part B premiums will continue to pay $96.40.Those newly eligible for Medicare will pay $115.40 (the state will pay this amount if the individual is eligible for…

Consumer Rights Screening Tool for DV Advocates & Lawyers

National Consumer Law Center & Center for Survivor Agency and Justice
Consumer Rights Screening Tool for DV Advocates & Lawyers (2011) Leah A. Plunkett of National Consumer Law Center & Erika A. Sussman of Center for Survivor Agency and Justice This screening tool aims to:   provide a general overview of common consumer issues with which…

Overview of Education Topics on MA DESE site

MA DESE PQA
Frequently asked questions on a wide array of education topics:  contacting Program Quality Assurance at MA DESE; extended school year; special education evaluations and eligibility; homeschooling; restraints; section 504 and contacting the Office for Civil Rights; links to laws and regulations;…

Separate SNAP/ Food Stamps Household Status for Disabled Persons Unable to Prepare Their Own Food

MLRI
There are TWO different Food Stamp/SNAP policies that affect persons with disabilities who are unable to purchase and prepare their own food. 1.  One rule affects persons who live and share food with other persons and who are both disabled and elderly. In this case, to qualify for separate…

A Bridge to Where? Short-Term Housing Assistance for Homeless Families in Massachusetts . . .

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
A Bridge to Where? Short-Term Housing Assistance for Homeless Families in Massachusetts and the Ongoing Need for Affordable Housing and Emergency Shelter. A 2010 policy paper concerning family homelessness policies which identifies concerns related to the state’s heavy reliance on…

Agenda SSI Coalition Meeting, November 12, 2010

Linda Landry

2011 Medicare Parts A and B Benefits and Gaps

The SHINE Program
Charts that outline benefits and gaps in Medicare coverage.  Refer also to the 2011 Medicare & You handbook for more information about Medicare benefits.

Translation Toolkit - Foreign Language Guide

Office of Public Health Strategy and Communications
This document provides information on the top six languages spoken in MA (Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Khmer) and best practices for translating English language materials into these languages.

Understanding Medicare Enrollment Periods

Department of Health and Human Services
Knowing when you can get Medicare can sometimes be confusing. This tip sheet is designed to help you learn more about enrollment in the different parts of Medicare, including who can sign up, when you can sign up, and how the timing can affect your costs.

Plain Language Online Course

Write Clearly
A self-guded learning experience.  Click the "Go to Website" link below to access the online course from the WriteClearly website.