We hope you are all staying warm and managing all the snowfall the past few weeks. We have TWO action steps, info from the AGO on immigrant resources, and great news about SNAP and Fuel Assistance!
Sign on by Tues. 2/18 @ noon: Urge Gov. Healey to replace stolen SNAP benefits!
Each month, about 1,500-2,000 MA families learn their monthly federal food benefits have been stolen. Unless the Governor and the legislature provide state funds to replace stolen SNAP, families have no recourse when they are stolen from. We need your help urging the Governor to provide $5 million in a supplemental budget to replace stolen SNAP! Here’s a copy of a sign-on letter.
Please sign on by filling this form out by NOON on Tuesday, Feb. 18!
Congress ended federal replacement for SNAP stolen after December 20, 2024. For more information, see MLRI overview here.
Sign on by Thurs. 2/20 @ noon: Protect SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF from cuts!
Congress is currently considering severe cuts to safety-net programs, including SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF, through Budget Reconciliation. These programs reduce poverty and food insecurity, enhance health, and bring billions of federal dollars in economic stimulus per year into Massachusetts.
We want to make sure our delegation hears from hundreds of MA organizations that we stand firm and united in opposition to cuts, and we urge them to speak out forcefully to protect these critical programs. Please join us by signing on to this letter! To sign on, fill this form out by NOON on Thursday, Feb. 20!
AGO Guidance to MA Service Providers Regarding Immigration Enforcement
The Mass Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has been issuing guidance to employers, schools, and healthcare providers. On 2/7/25 they issued guidance to social service agencies on how to respond to requests from ICE and other immigrant enforcement efforts, check link HERE. And link to all the AGO resources for Immigrants in MA is HERE.
We strongly encourage community organizations to review this guidance, to minimize information collected from consumers of your services and to participate in “know your rights” trainings offered by the MIRA Coalition and other organizations.
DTA Connect Block For Households New To DTAConnect
Due to security reasons, DTA recently made a change to DTAConnect. To get into DTA case information, clients need to take two steps: First, set up an account with email and password on MyMassGov. Second, link that account to their DTA information using Agency ID or EBT card number and year of birth. DTA made a change blocking households from linking to their DTA information until they speak with a DTA worker to remove the block. This impacts any applicants new to DTA who have never used DTAConnect and any clients on DTA benefits who have not linked to a DTAConnect account in the past.
Any DTA case worker can remove the block. Given how difficult it is to reach a DTA case worker right now, we are worried households impacted by the block can’t use DTAConnect. Please let us know what you are seeing, and contact the DTA Ombuds with any issues - email Sara Craven, sara.craven@mass.gov.
Receipt of SNAP Lessons Verification Burdon for Fuel Assistance!
Did you know? In November, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) implemented a new data match making it easier for SNAP households to verify income eligibility for Fuel Assistance, aka Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Instead of asking applicants for proof of wages or other income, DTA shares information with EOHLC about the SNAP household’s income - based on household members’ SSNs. According to ABCD and other community action programs that administer HEAP, this has significantly reduced the need for income proofs. (Note, households still need to verify fuel burden, immigrant status and the income of non-SNAP members)
And, don’t forget, SNAP households qualify regulated utility discounts (electric, natural gas) as well!
Connecting SNAP Coalition Members with Local State Legislators
As we move ahead in the 2025 State Legislative and Budget session, we’d love to know which State Reps and Senators serve the communities your organization serves. And there are times when an elected official reaches out to us about an issue that may be best addressed by your local organization! We urge SNAP Coalition members to fill out this Google form so that we can make these connections as issues come up!
DTA Opens New Office in Jackson Square
DTA recently opened a new DTA local office in Jackson Square. If you serve clients in the Boston area, it is worth checking whether Jackson Square or Nubian Square best serves households you are working with. Click here to see a list of the areas the Jackson Square office covers.
Reminder that all clients have a right to apply in person or have their SNAP interview in person at a DTA office if they prefer that option.
