Govt. Agency /Court Links& Materials

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Links to court or government agency websites. Also, materials issued by the agency or court itself (except for regulations and decisions) as well as rules and procedures governing the court or agency and its operations.

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Ops Memo 2013-53: SNAP - Fall 2013 Heat and Eat (H-EAT) Program Update

DTA
Background The Heat & Eat Program is a partnership between DTA and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Under this partnership, eligible SNAP households are identified and selected for the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) twice each year, Spring and…

Ops Memo 2013-52: TAFDC and EAEDC – Non-Principal Real Estate

DTA
Overview This Operations Memo describes the procedures for the completion of the Agreement to Reimburse (RER-1) form for certain TAFDC and EAEDC applicants and clients (hereafter referred to as clients). Purpose of this Memo This Operations Memo: gives guidance for the completion of the…

Ops Memo 2013-43: EBT Card Usage – ATM and POS Blocking at Prohibited Establishments

DTA
Overview State law prohibits the use of cash assistance (TAFDC and EAEDC) in certain establishments and for the purchase of specified items. This law applies to both Point-of-Sale (POS) transactions as well as ATM withdrawals in certain establishments. DTA will act to enforce this by blocking the…

Help Applying for Health Insurance

Massachusetts Health Connector
Click the "Go to Website" link below to find Navigators and Certified Application Counselors in your area who can help you understand your health insurance options and apply for coverage.  According to the Connector's website,  "Navigators and Certified Application Counselors (CACs) can…

FYI October 2013: RSDI, SSI and SSP Information on BEACON; and Settlements and Awards as Unearned Income on BEACON

DTA
FYIs Entering RSDI, SSI and SSP Information on the Other Income Page of BEACON Quality Control identified an error related to the inclusion of unearned income information on BEACON. This FYI is a reminder about how to process this information. When entering or updating a household…

Hotline 10/13: Mandatory Vendor Payments; Reasonable cause and temporary setback/emergency option

DTA
Q. 1. A family receiving TAFDC is renting an apartment and the household is behind in their rent. As I was reviewing the BEACON pages concerning possible cash mismanagement of funds, the parents stated that they never signed a lease with their landlord. Should mandatory vendor payments be…

2014 COLA Fact Sheet (Social Security)

SSA
SSA fact sheet.

Ops Memo 2013-51: SNAP: Annual Cost-of-Living (COLA) Changes and Initial Communication Regarding November Benefit Decrease

DTA
Overview The annual SNAP COLA will be processed during the weekend of September 21, 2013. This is a mass change affecting the entire SNAP caseload. This recalculation will impact the household’s monthly benefit for October. The following elements of the COLA will change effective October…

New RAFT Guidelines and Procedures FY 2014

Legal services of MA
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) FY2014 Guidelines for providers.

MRVP Notice 2013-02: MRVP Income Limits 2013-2014

Brendan Goodwin, Director, State Rental Assistance Programs
New MRVP Income Limits for Determination of Eligibility and Continued Occupancy- Change from 200% of Federal Poverty Level to 50% of HUD Area Median Income (AMI).  

The SSA's Policy on Symptom Validity Tests in Determining Disability Claims-Congressional Response Report, A-08-13-23094

SSA Office of Inspector General
In a January 30, 2013, letter to the Inspector General, Senator Tom Coburn, M.D., Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, requested that the OIG review SSA’s policy that disallowed the purchase of SVTs for disability determinations.  SVTs are used to…

DHCD Housing Stabilization Notice 2013-02: HomeBASE Transition to Emergency Assistance

DHCD
Introduction This Housing Stabilization Notice (HSN) is intended to clarify how families in the time-limited HomeBASE Rental Assistance (HBRA) program who have reached the end of their 24-month subsidy are to be considered if they re-apply for Emergency Assistsance (EA). In summary: HBRA…

Ops Memo 2013-49: OBSOLETE TAFDC – Automating the Learnfare (School Attendance) Process

DTA
Obsoleted by Ops Memo 2014-48 Overview The TAFDC Learnfare requirement mandates that any child of a nondisabled grantee who is age six (or in first grade, whichever occurs later) through age 13 must attend school regularly. Verification of attendance must be obtained for any…

Ops Memo 2013-48: TAFDC and EAEDC – BEACON Changes: Screening for Chronic Mismanagement of Funds

DTA
Overview State law requires the Department to provide cash benefits in the form of vendor payments, with respect to housing and utility payments, when a determination is made that the grant has not been used in the best interest of the child or the assistance unit, or where other chronic misuse of…

Ops Memo 2013-47: TAFDC and EAEDC – Verifications

DTA
Overview In order to establish eligibility for assistance, applicants and clients (hereafter referred to as clients) must meet financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements. Clients must submit verifications, as required by policy, to demonstrate that they meet these eligibility…

Prescription Advantage Application and Instructions

Prescription Advantage
Attached is the most recent version of the Prescription Advantage application, as well as the application's instructions.

Hotline 9/13: Out-of-State EBT Card Usage

DTA
From the Hotline If you have any questions on this column or other policy and procedural material, please have your Hotline designee call the Policy Hotline at 617-348-8478. Q. 1. My TAFDC and SNAP client’s name appears on the Out-of-State EBT Card Usage view. Do I take action on BEACON…

FYI September 2013: Fuel Assistance 2013 and Repayment History Letter

DTA
FYI Fuel Assistance 2013 The Fuel Assistance Program begins accepting applications for fuel assistance on November 1, 2013. TAOs will receive a supply of Fuel Assistance brochures in October for clients who are interested in applying for fuel assistance and in how the program works. The…

Ops Memo 2013-44: TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP - Temporary Protective Status (TPS) Extension for El Salvador

DTA
Introduction The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) because conditions in that country temporarily prevent its nationals from returning safely. TPS is a temporary immigration status, authorized under Section 244 of the…

Ops Memo 2013-45: TAFDC - Clothing Allowance, September 2013

DTA
Overview The Department will issue a nonrecurring clothing allowance of $150 per eligible TAFDC client under the age of 19 for September 2013. Purpose of Memo This Operations Memo advises DTA staff about the clothing allowance: who is eligible; amounts for the payments; payment…

Virtual Language Mapping Tool

U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau released a language mapping tool using American Community Survey data from 2007-2011 on language spoken and limited English proficency. The map gives a visual sense of where different linguistic populations are located across the country. Click the "Go to Website"…

PS 99-07 Documentation

DES

Housing Stabilization Notice 2013-07B - Guidance on Verification of Domestic Violence

DHCD

Ops Memo 2013-46: EAEDC: Rest Home Rate Changes and Automated Recalculation of Benefits

DTA
Overview The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), working with the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) approved new public per diem rates for Massachusetts rest homes, effective July 1, 2013. Additionally, rest homes were approved for a separate rate,…

Ops Memo 2013-39A: External Data Match: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) electronic Disqualified Recipient System (eDRS)

DTA
Overview In a continuing effort to improve program integrity and reduce the possibility of payment error, the Department will begin using the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) electronic Disqualified Recipient System (eDRS). eDRS is a national internet-based system developed and…

DTA's 2013 Training Manuals on the SNAP (Food Stamp) Program

DTA
MLRI recently got copies of DTA's current SNAP Benefits Training Manuals which you may find useful to both understand how they are training SNAP case managers, and for training new interns or volunteers (DTA includes some helpful exercises in each section).  If you find inaccuracies in the training…

Hotline 8/13: SNAP expedited benefits

DTA
From the Hotline If you have any questions on this column or other policy and procedural material, please have your Hotline designee call the Policy Hotline at 617-348-8478. Q. 1. A SNAP client is reapplying and is requesting expedited benefits. He has already verified his identity. However, I…

FYI August 2013: Globe Santa Fund for 2013

DTA
Globe Santa Fund for 2013 During the last week of August, active TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP clients who live in the Globe Santa geographical area and have a dependent child age 12 and under, will be sent the Globe Santa Holiday Gift Verification Notice. This notice lists the name, date of birth and…

Ops Memo 2013-38: TAFDC – Extension Process and BEACON Changes

DTA
Overview Any client who has exhausted 22 months of time-limited benefits must be given the opportunity to request an extension. The Department has developed a process for clients to request an extension of TAFDC benefits beyond the 24-month period. To date, the extension process has been…

Ops Memo 2013-41: Annual Reporting and Transitional Benefit Alternative Case Processing Modifications

DTA
Overview This Operations Memo advises staff about BEACON and case processing changes for Annual Reporting (AR) and Transitional Benefit Alternative (TBA) cases. These changes are required to better align DTA case processing with federal rules. The memo describes which verified…

Ops Memo 2013-35: TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP: Changes to the Immediate Needs and Expedited Screening Processes

DTA
Overview The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) mandates that all applicants be screened for expedited benefits. Since BEACON implementation in 2001, screening for expedited SNAP benefits has been completed in the Request for Assistance (RFA) workflow or on the Program Change page.…

Ops Memo 2013-38: TAFDC – Extension Process and BEACON Changes

DTA
Overview Any client who has exhausted 22 months of time-limited benefits must be given the opportunity to request an extension. The Department has developed a process for clients to request an extension of TAFDC benefits beyond the 24-month period. To date, the extension process has been…

Ops Memo 2013-34: Residency Requirement (out-of-state use of EBT benefits)

DTA
MLRI Comments to Operations Memo on EBT usage out-of-state and DTA "residency requirements:" Please contact MLRI - vnegus@mlri.org - if your SNAP or cash benefits are terminated for out-of-state usage. SNAP and cash recipients have the right to use their benefits in other states,…

Ops Memo 2013-36: TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP - Department of Youth Services Match

DTA
Overview To enhance program integrity, the Department has enhanced and automated the existing Department of Youth Services (DYS) match and incorporated the functionality into BEACON. This match will give staff more up-to-date data on children placed into the custody of the DYS. Prior to…

Ops Memo 2013-37: TAFDC and SNAP - Parole Violator Match

DTA
Overview (from DTA) In an effort to enhance program integrity, the Department has automated the existing Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) match and incorporated the functionality into BEACON. This match will enable the Department to obtain information on clients who are parole violators. The…

UIPP 2013.06: Good Cause Policy for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Claimants

Ken Owens, UI Benefits Director
As part of the settlement in the Luciano language access litigation, DUA agreed to promulgate good cause sub-regulatory guidance.  The memo is intended to insure that LEP claimants have equal access to unemployment insurance benefits.   In addition to covering DUA’s obligations…

DUA Good Cause Policy for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Claimants

Ken Owens, DUA Ui Benefits Director
Guidance on DUA standard for providing equal access to LEP claimants and determining when good cause exists for an LEP claimant to have failed to meet a deadline or requirement. 

2013 DTA Facts and Figures Caseload Reports

DTA
January 2013 Facts and Figures February 2013 Facts and Figures April 2013 Facts and Figures May 2013 Facts and Figures June 2013 Facts and Figures July 2013 Facts and Figures August 2013 Facts and Figures September 2013 Facts and Figures October 2013…

Ops Memo 2013-33: TAFDC, EAEDC, and SNAP: Statewide Implementation of the Work Number Employment Verification Service

DTA
Overview As of July 22, 2013 the Department will implement Equifax Workforce Solutions’ subscription employment verification service called “The Work Number” statewide. The Work Number (www.theworknumber.com) is a fee-for-service Internetbased resource for verification of…

Hotline 7/13: Parental control and relationship requirement in SNAP and TAFDC

DTA
From the Hotline If you have any questions on this column or other policy and procedural material, please have your Hotline designee call the Policy Hotline at 617-348-8478. Q. 1. A woman and her same-sex spouse applied for SNAP benefits. The woman recently requested that we add her newborn to…

Ops Memo 2013-26: SNAP – Voter Registration Page Change

DTA
Change to Voter Registration Page Effective with BEACON Build 45.6, scheduled for July 1, 2013, the Voter Registration page will be a mandatory page to be completed for Elderly/Disabled households without earnings. This page will become mandatory when the Interview page is completed and the case…

Ops Memo 2013-28: Department of Unemployment Assistance Screen Unavailable

DTA
Overview The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) will be converting to a new web-based system effective July 1, 2013. This new system will serve claimants and employers more efficiently. In order to transition from the current system to the new one, the current system will be shut down at 7…

MyLegislature (Massachusetts)

General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Massachusetts legislature now has a tool called "MyLegislature." Once you register, you can follow Bills, Hearings, and Committees that are of interest to you, as well as the Senate and House Legislators for your district.  Click the "Go to Website" link below for more…

Ops Memo 2013-27: External Agency Data Matches: Lottery, County Prisons, Department of Corrections and Death

DTA
Overview (from DTA) To enhance program integrity the Department has been granted access to several state and federal databases with the goal of helping reduce payment error. This access enables DTA to automate matching with the Massachusetts Lottery Commission (MLC), county prisons, the…

MassHealth: Roadmap to 2014, Affordable Care Act Transition Plan (Draft)

EOHHS
Under the MassHealth 1115 demonstration, the state is required to file & periodically update a plan for transitioning from current coverage to expanded Medicaid eligibility and new forms of subsidized coverage effective in Jan. 2014. EOHHS released its first Transition Plan in July 2012. In June…

FYI June 2013: Participation and Attendance Form Data Entry

DTA
F YI Participation and Attendance Form Data Entry Online Guide The Department sends Participation and Attendance forms to clients on the first business day of the week (Monday, unless Monday is a holiday) before the last Saturday of the month. These forms must be returned by the client no…

CarePlus-Table Comparing Benefits to Standard

Office of Medicaid
This Table from the June 2013 Roadmap to Coverage compares the benefits covered in MassHealth CarePlus with those covered in MassHealth Standard. Adults enrolled in CarePlus who need one or more services only available in Standard may be able to change their coverage to Standard if they have special…

Hotline 6/13: high school students and countable income; tax refunds and assets

DTA
From the Hotline Q. 1. A client and her son are receiving SNAP benefits. The client’s son turned 18 in January of this year. His mother verified that the son is scheduled to graduate high school after first attending summer school and then completing this upcoming fall semester.…

Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education Data

DESE
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provides a wide range of data about Massachusetts schools, students and teachers.  Online reports about Massachusetts students can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/infoservices/reports/ and include data in…

Veterans' Laws and Benefits (Massachusetts)

MA Secretary of the Commonwealth
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download a guide to Veterans’ Laws and Benefits in Massachusetts, a compilation of resources regarding major state benefits in the areas of education, employment, housing, motor vehicles, property taxes, and medical assistance.…