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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2020-33A: Cross Program: Pandemic EBT Benefits

DTA
  In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Governor has closed all schools in Massachusetts for the remainder of the school year. School closures disproportionately impact low-income children who rely on free and reduced-price school meals for adequate nutrition. The…

2020-33B: SNAP: Additional Updates Regarding SNAP Emergency Allotments to Households

DTA
As part of the Families First Coronavirus Act of 2020, Massachusetts obtained a waiver from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to issue SNAP Emergency Allotments to certain households. This Online Guide Transmittal provides updates regarding eligibility for and the processing of SNAP…

2020-48: Cross Programs: Termination of Temporary COVID Procedures for Wage Verification and Resumption of Recertifications, Interim Reports and Reevaluations

DTA
Over the past few months the Department has modified procedures to support staff teleworking and the surge of applications related to COVID-19. These temporary procedures are the result of both federal waivers and state policy decisions. As such some of the suspended or modified procedures are now…

2020-46: Cross Program: Determining Prorated Benefit Amount

DTA
Based on a reexamination of federal and state regulations, the Department is clarifying the method of calculating prorated benefits for SNAP, TAFDC and EAEDC. A new Retro Benefit Calculation tool has been developed so staff do not have to manually calculate related benefits. This new standardized…

2020-47: SNAP: Collaboration with MassHealth to Reduce the SNAP GAP

DTA
The Food Security Task Force was convened by the COVID-19 Command Center on April 22, 2020 to develop actionable solutions to address growingfood insecurity among individuals and families across the Commonwealth due to the COVID 19 pandemic. In support of these efforts, DTA has…

2020-45: TAFDC: Resuming Childcare Referrals

DTA
Access to childcare is recognized as one of DTA’s most crucial support services, enabling our families to engage in employment and training opportunities as they work toward their goals. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted many families’ ability to work, job search or attend…

Massachusetts Law on Homeschooling

mass.gov
Information on MA homeschool laws, including case law and web resources.

2020-44: SNAP: Bay State CAP Phase II

DTA
Bay State CAP was developed through the cooperative effort of the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Bay State CAP Program enrolls Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants and…

2020-43: Cross Programs: Suspension of TAOs as Mailing Address

DTA
  Online Guide Transmittal 2019-55 established procedures for allowing clients to use a Transitional Assistance Office (TAO) as a mailing address. However, at this time, clients cannot use a TAO as a mailing address. With TAOs closed due to COVID-19 and the Department handling…

Filing a Pro Se Appeal from the MassHealth Board of Hearings

MLRI
Attached is a sample complaint appealing from a decision of the MassHealth Board of Hearings and an outline of key steps in filing an appeal with links to information on the Court's websites.  The Court website has information on filing an appeal from the decision of a state agency like…

2020-42: Cross Program: Telephonic Signature

DTA
DTA now accepts telephonic signature for applications for the SNAP, TAFDC and EAEDC programs. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved a temporary waiver allowing the Department to accept telephonic signatures for SNAP applications. Telephonic signature provides another access point for…

UIPP 2020.09 Dealing with Threats from Claimants and/or Employers

Department of Unemployment Assistance
To provide practical guidance to Unemployment Insurance Online Users (UIO users) responding to claimant or employer threats.

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.

Assister Updates from MassHealth & Health Connector

MassHealth and Health Connector
MassHealth and the Health Connector issue regular updates via email to Certified Application Counselors and Navigators as Assister Updates that we will be posting from time to time. However, please check our Table of COVID-19 changes because some of these polices from Mar-May have changed over…

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,…

New Health Connector Mailing Address

Health Connector
On May 19, 2020 The Health Connector changed its mailing address. The new mailing address is Health Connector Processing Center, P.O. Box 4404, Taunton, MA 02780.  The MassHealth-Health Connector Mail/Fax Cover Sheet has been updated to reflect the new mailing…

OLGT 2020-38: SNAP: ABAWD Time Limit Suspension

DTA
Effective April 1, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act temporarily suspended the ABAWD Work Rules. This suspension shall continue until further notice. Based on this change, clients who are otherwise subject the ABAWD Work Rules must be given a temporary exemption: ABAWD Rules…

OLGT 2020-25: Cross Program: Federal Mileage Rate

DTA
The new federal mileage rate of 57.5 cents must be used when calculating allowable transportation costs to be used as a medical deduction or a dependent care deduction. The new mileage rate represents a decrease when compared to last year.  

OLGT 2020-39: TAFDC & EAEDC: Temporary Relocation Benefit Procedures

DTA
Relocation Benefits are provided to certain TAFDC or EAEDC families leaving an emergency or domestic violence shelter or a Teen Parenting Program. In order to receive these benefits certain forms and reports are typically required. Effective 5/22/2020, staff will have the ability to centrally…

OLGT 2020-37: Cross Program: Extending Certification Periods and Waiving Reporting Requirements Due to COVID-19

DTA
Based on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Department is extending certification periods and waiving the Interim Report (IR) for SNAP, and extending reevaluation end dates for TAFDC/EAEDC. These changes apply to households with certification end dates, reevaluation end dates, or IR…

OLGT 2020-36: Cross Programs: ADA Interim Updates due to COVID-19

DTA
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis and closure of TAO offices, procedural and interim operational changes are required for the implementation and management of ADA accommodations.

OLGT 2020-31A: Cross Programs: Clarifications to Unemployment and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Benefits

DTA
On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. This legislation contains provisions for traditional unemployment assistance benefits and other types of unemployment assistance benefits.

OLGT 2020-35: Cross Programs: EBT Card Requests on DTAConnect.com and the DTA Assistance Line

DTA
In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Department is streamlining the EBT card issuance process. This enhancement aims to alleviate the high volume of calls related to EBT card requests, ensure that clients can access their benefits, and improve overall efficiency. Planned for…

OLGT 2020-30A: SNAP: Updates Regarding SNAP Emergency Allotments to Households

DTA
As part of the Families First Coronavirus Act of 2020, Massachusetts obtained a waiver from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to issue SNAP Emergency Allotments to certain households for the months of March and April. This SNAP Emergency Allotment will bring impacted SNAP households up to the…

OLGT 2020-34: Cross Programs: Client Communication Enhancements

DTA
In response to the COVID-19 state of emergency, the Department has been seeking opportunities to streamline processes to best-serve clients and applicants. Incoming calls to the DTA Assistance Line will be prioritized based on case status. Client communication methods are being expanded to…

OLGT 2020-33: Cross Program: Pandemic EBT Benefits

DTA
In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Governor has closed all schools in Massachusetts for the remainder of the school year. School closures disproportionately impact low-income children who rely on free and reduced-price school meals for adequate nutrition. The Families…

OLGT 2020-32: Cross Programs: Temporary Telework Procedures Due to COVID-19

DTA
In response to the current state of emergency, the Department is transitioning to handle its core application and case processing operations remotely. DTA is issuing temporary telework procedures to support the work necessary to ensure that active clients do not experience a disruption in benefits…

UIPP 2020.08 Suicide or Self-Harm threat guidelines

Department of Unemployment Assistance
To provide practical guidance on responding to claimants or employers threatening suicide or self-harm.

OLGT 2020-31: Cross Programs: Economic Impact Payments and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Benefits

DTA
On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. This legislation contains provisions for Economic Impact Payments and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits.

OLGT 2020-27C: Cross Programs: Temporary Emergency Operations Due to COVID-19

DTA
On March 10, 2020 a State of Emergency was declared by Governor Baker to support the Commonwealth’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). DTA is taking steps to ensure that active clients do not experience a disruption in benefits and prioritizes new applications.…

OLGT 2020-29: Cross Programs: Temporary Waiver of Certain SNAP Application Interviews

DTA
Staff must make all efforts to process SNAP applications quickly and accurately using the best information available for purposes of verifying program eligibility. In response to the increased volume of SNAP applications stemming from the COVID-19 state of emergency, effective immediately, the…

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.

DTA Employment Services Program Report: Employment Services Program Report

DTA

DTA Electronic Benefit Transfer Photo Requirement Exemptions Report: Electronic Benefit Transfer Photo Requirement Exemptions Report

DTA

Secure Jobs Report: Report on Secure Jobs

DTA

OLGT 2020-27B: Cross Programs: Temporary Emergency Operations Due to COVID-19

DTA
On March 10, 2020 a State of Emergency was declared by Governor Baker to support the Commonwealth’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). DTA is taking steps to ensure that active clients do not experience a disruption in benefits and prioritizes new applications.…

OLGT 2020-28A: Cross Program: Initiate an Online Application

DTA
In response to the recent state of emergency, the Department is temporarily allowing individuals to begin an application for TAFDC and EAEDC online. Effective March 24, 2020, individuals can initiate an application for TAFDC and EAEDC online by going to www.mass.gov/DTAConnect.

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…

OLGT 2020-28: TAFDC & EAEDC: Initiate an Online Application

DTA
In response to the recent state of emergency, the Department is temporarily allowing individuals to begin an application for TAFDC and EAEDC online. Effective March 24, 2020, individuals can initiate an application for TAFDC and EAEDC online by going to www.mass.gov/DTAConnect.

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…

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)…

OLGT 2020-30: SNAP: Emergency Allotment to SNAP Households

DTA
As part of the Families First Coronavirus Act of 2020, Massachusetts obtained a waiver from FNS to issue emergency SNAP allotments to certain SNAP households for the months of March and April. This emergency allotment will bring impacted SNAP households up to the maximum benefit level for their…

Health Care Proxies in Massachusetts

Go to the Trial Court Law Library website to access information about health care proxies, including a sample form.

OLGT 2020-27A: Temporary Emergency Operations Due to COVID-19

DTA
On March 10, 2020 a State of Emergency was declared by Governor Baker to support the Commonwealth’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). DTA is taking steps to ensure that active clients do not experience a disruption in benefits and prioritizes new applications.  The…

OLGT 2020-27: Cross Programs: Temporary Emergency Operations Due to COVID-19

DTA
On March 10, 2020 a State of Emergency was declared by Governor Baker to support the Commonwealth’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). DTA is taking steps to ensure that active clients do not experience a disruption in benefits and prioritizes new applications.

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…

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…