COVID-19

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…

Massachusetts employers whose businesses were closed because of COVID-19 are now being allowed to reopen under an order by Governor Baker. This fact sheet provides information about how the re-opening may affect the ongoing UI eligibility of recipients who lost their jobs for COVID-19 related…

Attached is a two page flier, in English and Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Chinese about SNAP benefits for workers who lost work due to COVID-19. This flier is up to date as of 2020 - specific information may no longer be relevant.  See MassLegalServices.org/DTA-COVID-19…

To provide guidance to DUA staff regarding Emergency Regulations that were filed to establish procedures and interpret the provisions of G.L. 151A to alleviate hardship caused by COVID-19.

A presentation for service prividers about RAFT/ERMA during COVID-19.

Please see the attached FAQ 

Resources related to best practices for remote hearings. National Housing Law Project compilation -- includes Michigan State Administrative Office of Courts National Institute for Trial Advocacy OntarioAdvocates Society of Ont Florida Supreme Court Texas Courts Minnesota…

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

Click the "Go to Website" link to access the Massachusetts DUA's TeleCert instructions in multiple languages.

On May 27, 2020, the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission sponsored a virtual question and answer session for community advocates in Massachusetts about protective orders, family law questions, and accessing Massachusetts courts for protective orders and family law help during the COVID-19…

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,…

Boston, Mass. – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), a nonprofit statewide poverty law and policy center that advances laws and policies to secure economic, racial and social justice for low-income people and communities, is celebrating the passage of eviction and foreclosure moratorium…

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

Provide a State-funded Cash Rebate for Massachusetts Families  who pay taxes with ITINs Legislation  House Bill 4726 and Senate Bill 2659, both pending in the Joint Committee on Revenue The Problem:  The economic recovery act that Congress recently passed provides a…

Click the "go to website" link below to access a google document maintained by Mass Law Reform Institute with the latest information for attorneys and advocates.

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,…

Discussing standby status, suitable work and good cause for missing deadlines dues to COVID-19.

This table provides a general overview of some of the federal public programs available to support individuals and families during the COVID-19 crisis under existing law, as well as the recently passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and…

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). 

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…

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…

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…

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…

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) in…

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)…

Guidance from 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…

In view of the state of emergency due to COVID-19, Massachusetts has extended the Moratorium on utility shutoffs until the state of emergency in Massachusetts is lifted, or there is further communication.  See the attached letter that DPU is sending to utility companies, which sets forth…

From an email sent out by the Office of Medicaid/ EOHHS: In coordination with agencies across the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, MassHealth/ EOHHS have released provider bulletins and additional guidance in response to 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). These policies…

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…

The Division of Insurance ("Division") issues this Bulletin to provide information to Commercial Health Insurers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., and Health Maintenance Organizations ("Carriers") about the Division's expectations regarding Carriers' appropriate coverage…

The Boston Housing Authority has notified the Housing Court by letter of the following: The BHA's intent to "immediately suspend its filing and prosecution of all Housing Court cases and matters with respect to its non-essential eviction actions. We define non-essential cases to be nonpayment and…

Fact sheet on the earned sick time law in Massachusetts. Learn more on the Massachusetts Attorney General's website,