Law Overviews & Guides

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Comprehensive guides and overviews of legal topics intended for advocates; in general, do NOT code simple fact sheets or client education materials with this term.

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ABCs of Seeking Judicial Review of a MassHealth Board of Hearings Decision

MLRI
Attached is an updated guide on the process of filing a complaint for judicial review of a MassHealth fair hearing decision. Please contact Kate Symmonds (ksymmonds@mlri.org) if you notice any errors or have any tips for other advocates; and please be sure to check the court rules and statutes for…

Chapter 115 State Veterans Benefits Self-Help Guide

Veterans Legal Clinic Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School
The Veterans Legal Clinic at the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School recently updated our self-help guide about the Chapter 115 Benefits Program for Massachusetts veterans and their dependents. The guide provides basic information about the Ch. 115 program, eligibility requirements, appeals,…

SSI/SSDI Benefits - An Overview

Linda Landry, Svetlana Uimenkova, Disability Law Center
A general overview of SSI and SSDI disability benefits. Note:  the pdf is almost 130 pages.

How to Access VA Health Care if you Have a Less-Than-Honorable Discharge

Veterans Legal Clinic Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School
The Veterans Legal Clinic at the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School recently updated our self-help guide about the Chapter 115 Benefits Program for Massachusetts veterans and their dependents. The guide provides basic information about the Ch. 115 program, eligibility requirements, appeals,…

Health Benefits for Newly Arriving Afghans

MLRI
Massachusetts will soon be home to several thousand newly arriving Afghans. Most should be eligible for health coverage in MassHealth Standard or CarePlus. We have created this google doc to keep you abreast of the latest information we have to help new arrivals receive the correct…

Advancing Racial Equity through Neighborhood-Informed Early Childhood Policies: A Research and Policy Review

diversitydatakids.org
This report synthesizes existing research and presents the findings of a novel policy review that together point to neighborhood-informed approaches as a potentially valuable tool for advancing the goals of U.S. early childhood policies. Neighborhood-informed approaches are not a silver bullet, and…

Appendix D Sample Designated Certifier Letter - .docx (word)

Alexandra Bonazoli, Julie Dahlstrom, Emily Leung, Sarah Leidel, Jennifer Ollington, Ashleigh Pelto, Jamie Sabino
Attached please find a .docx (word) version of "Appendix D Sample Designated Certifier Letter," which is part of the "Guide for Certifiers: MGL 258F Certification for Victims of Violent Crime and Human Trafficking."

Appendix B - Sample Certification Policy - .docx (word)

Alexandra Bonazoli, Julie Dahlstrom, Emily Leung, Sarah Leidel, Jennifer Ollington, Ashleigh Pelto, Jamie Sabino
Attached please find Appendix B Sample Certification Policy - .docx (word), which is part of "A Guide for Certifiers: MGL 258F Certification for Victims of Violent Crime and Human Trafficking." 

A Guide for Certifying Agencies: MGL 258F Certification for Victims of Violent Crime and Human Trafficking

Alexandra Bonazoli, Julie Dahlstrom, Emily Leung, Sarah Leidel, Jennifer Ollington, Ashleigh Pelto, Jamie Sabino
This guide provides information to certifying agencies about the new law, M.G.L. 258F Certification for Victims of Violent Crime and Human Trafficking, which went into effect on July 1, 2021. The law provides victims of violent crime and human trafficking equal access to justice throughout the…

Appendix G Sample Tracking Spreadsheet (.xlsx - excel)

Alexandra Bonazoli, Julie Dahlstrom, Emily Leung, Sarah Leidel, Jennifer Ollington, Ashleigh Pelto, Jamie Sabino
Attached please find Appendix G Sample Tracking Spreadsheet (.xlsx - excel), which is part of the "Guide for Certifiers: MGL 258F Certification for Victims of Violent Crime and Human Trafficking."

TANF Policies Reflect Racist Legacy of Cash Assistance

Ife Floyd, LaDonna Pavetti, Laura Meyer, Ali Safawi, Liz Schott, Evelyn Bellew, Abigail Magnus
Link to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' article on reimagining the TANF program to center Black mothers.

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…

Historian Uncovers The Racist Roots Of The 2nd Amendment

npr
Do Black people have full Second Amendment rights? Article about historian Carol Anderson’s search to  answer this question  after Minnesota police killed Philando Castile, a Black man with a license to carry a gun, during a 2016 traffic stop.  The language of the amendment,…

Senate Ways and Means FY 22 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
On May 11, 2021, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 (FY 22), Senate 3.  MLRI offers this preliminary analysis of selected budget topics affecting low-income residents of the Commonwealth. Download the document below.

House Ways and Means FY 22 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
On April 14, 2021, the House Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 (FY 22), House 4000.  MLRI offers this preliminary analysis of selected budget topics affecting low-income residents of the Commonwealth. Download the document below.

What does the American Rescue Plan Act Mean for Affordable Health Coverage and Enhanced Medicaid services in Massachusetts?

MLRI
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021 is the most significant (albeit temporary) expansion of affordable health care coverage since the Affordable Care Act.  This Memo is a first pass at what the ARPA mean for affordable health coverage and…

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…

A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual

Columbia Human Rights Law Review
A Jailhouse Lawyer’s Manual (JLM) is a handbook of legal rights and procedures designed for use by people in prison. Since publication of the First Edition in 1978, tens of thousands of prisoners in institutions across the country have used A Jailhouse Lawyer’s…

Governor's FY 2022 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
The Governor’s FY 2022 Budget Proposal: Preliminary Analysis of Selected Cash and Nutrition Assistance, Child Welfare, Health Care, Homelessness Services, Housing and Legal Services Items On January 27, 2021, Governor Baker released his budget proposal for fiscal…

2021 SSI Payment Charts and Income Thresholds

Disability Law Center
SSI Payment Charts effective 1/1/2021.  

Fair Housing Training Guide

Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC)
From the introduction to the Guide: This Fair Housing Training Guide was produced by the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) to be used in conjunction with FHJC’s Fair Housing Training Program. The FHJC is a regional civil rights organization dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination;…

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…

Online Training for Attorneys Representing Survivors of Domestic Violence

MLRI
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) and the Massachusetts Legal Aid Websites Project are pleased to share the two new online training courses for attorneys interested in helping survivors of domestic abuse.  Attorneys can start and stop at any point and come back to review the course…

Governor's Revised FY 2021 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
The Governor’s Revised FY 2021 Budget Proposal: Preliminary Analysis of Key Issues Affecting Low-Income Massachusetts Residents. Last week Governor Baker released a revised House 2, his budget proposal for fiscal year 2021 (FY 21), which was originally released in January before the…

Trauma-Informed Lawyering in the Age of COVID-19

National Crime Victim Law Institute
See the attached PDF.

Family Preparedness Packet - COVID 19

MLRI and Massachusetts Legal Services
This packet contains information to help families prepare in case of an emergency, for example in case a parent is in the hospital.

New Dept of Labor Guidance on PUA

U.S. Dept. of Labor
As states have gained experience administering the PUA program under the CARES Act, Public Law (Pub. L. 116-136), they have identified additional questions about program operations. The purpose of this Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) is to address those questions concerning the PUA…

Understanding the ACA: the minimum income standard for ConnectorCare and how it affects seniors

Vicky Pulos
MLRI has updated its 2016 paper  on a quirky aspect of the law that is affecting a relatively small group of  seniors who may lose eligibility for ConnectorCare (which has no asset test) when their income drops below 100% of poverty or they go from being Lawfully Present to Qualified…

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…

Representing Victims of Human Trafficking in Massachusetts: A Guide for Attorneys

WilmerHale, Boston University School of Law Immigrants' Rights and Human Trafficking Program
This Guide (second edition) provides attorneys with a general overview of human trafficking law in Massachusetts in an effort to help attorneys identify victims of human trafficking and determine how to meet their legal and non-legal needs.  It provides attorneys with a foundation…

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…

How MassHealth & the Health Connector Treat New Payments under the CARES ACT

MLRI
This MLRI Table shows how MassHealth and the Health Connector count new payments authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: a one-time tax rebate from the IRS in the amount of $1200 per eligible adult and $500 per qualifying child under 17, extended Unemployment…

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,…

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). 

Governor's FY 2021 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
The Governor’s FY 2021 Budget Proposal: Preliminary Analysis of Selected Cash and Nutrition Assistance, Child Welfare, Health Care, Homelessness Services, Housing and Legal Services Items On January 22, 2020, Governor Baker released his budget proposal for fiscal…

2020 SSI Payment Charts and Income Thresholds

Disability Law Center
SSI Payment Charts effective 1/1/2020.  

Leaving Your Housing After a Crime: For Advocates Assisting Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, CLAVC
Not infrequently, victims of crime want to move as a result of a crime. This booklet provides information about specific protections and rights that victims of crime such as domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking have if they seek to end their lease early, or transfer to a new unit in public or…

Guide on the Disclosure of Confidential Information

Massachusetts Court Improvement Program, Massachusetts Court System
The purpose of this guide is to inform a wide range of professionals working with children and families about confidentiality and privilege laws, thus promoting adherence to the law when making decisions about the disclosure of information and minimizing any unintended negative…

Bullying and Harassment Prevention Orders

Childrens Law Center
A summary of Massachusetts anti-bullying laws.

Helping Victims of Crime with Finances and Benefits

CLAVC
In the aftermath of a crime, a victims’ financial and housing situations may change.  These changes can have a host of consequences. This resource guide contains practical information for you to assist your clients if they need to: seek new sources of support, update the…

ConnectorCare Advocacy Guide

MLRI
ConnectorCare Advocacy Guide: An Advocate's Guide to the Massachusetts ConnectorCare Program   This handbook is designed for advocates and attorneys helping low- and moderate-income clients needing access to health care services who are not eligible for MassHealth, but may qualify…

How to File for Asylum Without a Lawyer

PAIR, MLRI, GBLS
This booklet explains how to prepare an application for asylum and withholding of removal.  This is a complicated process, but this booklet provides an overview.  It is provided as information only, and is not intended to be legal advice.  Posted with the permission of…

EPSDT & MassHealth

Vicky Pulos
Medicaid's "Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment" (EPSDT) benefit for children is a powerful tool advocates can use to help children and youth under age 21 enrolled in MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth get the health benefits they need. This memo provides citations…

Senate Ways and Means FY 20 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
On May 7, 2019, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2020, S.3. MLRI offers this preliminary analysis of selected issues affecting low-income residents of the Commonwealth. 

Advocates' Guide: An educational primer on federal programs and resources related to Affordable Housing and Community Development

National Low Income Housing Coalition
Every year, the National Low Income Housing Coalition publishes the Advocates’ Guide to Housing and Community Development Policy to educate advocates of all kinds about the programs and policies that make housing affordable to low income people across America. Whether you are a new…

Rent in Public Housing - 2019 Edition

MLRI
If you are a tenant in public housing in Massachusetts the information in this handbook will anwer your questions about how rents are set in both state and federal public housing in Massachusetts.   

Understanding your Lease in Public Housing

MLRI
The purpose of this booklet is to give tenants inpublic housing in Massachusetts answers to questions about leases. As a tenant, you have important rights under the law. You may have additional rights in your lease. These rights, however, have meaning only when you know and use them.

House Ways and Means FY 20 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
On April 10, 2019, the House Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2020 (FY 20), House 3800.  MLRI offers this preliminary analysis of selected budget topics affecting low-income residents of the Commonwealth. Download the document below.

Administrative Advisory SPED 2019-2: Extended Evaluations

MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has received numerous questions from special education directors, directors of approved special education schools and other stakeholders regarding the use of extended evaluations, particularly when the extended evaluation is conducted at an…

School Discipline Resources - Mass Advocates for Children

Mass Advocates for Children
Webpage with school discipline resources including: laws and regulations; supplemental information and history; school dsicipline decisions by the Problem Resolution System (PRS) at MA DESE and by US DOE OCR.