Oct 24th SNAP Coalition; Upcoming Trainings on Immigrant/Benefits (10/31) and Immigrant/Utility Rights (11/15)

FoodSNAP
10/23/23

SNAP Coalition Agenda: Tomorrow, Tuesday 10/24 from 10-11:30 AM

As always, we have a jam-packed agenda for tomorrow. Brittany Mangini from DTA will be joining us. Zoom link here. 

  • Federal updates - reminder about FNS guidance on SNAP for November/December in case of a shutdown in November & on WIC for November/December. 

  • DTA updates & discussion, including federal replacement of stolen SNAP, the Assistance Line & application interviews, in-person access, etc

  • State budget and legislative updates 

  • LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance starting Nov 1st 

  • Issue flagging - what barriers are households facing?

  • Upcoming events and announcements 

Health Care, Food and Cash Benefits Available to New Arrivals in MA - Free Training on October 31st

Hosted by the Mass Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, this 10/31 training is from 10 to 11:30 AM. This training offers the nuts-and-bolts on how immigration status affects eligibility for state and federal public benefits. You'll hear from MLRI and Health Law Advocates (HLA) about public benefits available to new arrivals including: MassHealth and other subsidized health care programs, DTA cash assistance (TAFDC and EAEDC) and the federal SNAP and child nutrition programs. You'll also hear from a MIRA immigrant specialist on the many protections for immigrants under the Biden administration’s new public charge rules. Register HERE. 

Immigrants' Utility Rights: Open Energy and Utility Q and A Hour on Nov 15th:

Hosted by the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), this 11/5 session is from 10 to 11 AM. The session will focus on the intersection of immigrants’ rights and utility issues, focusing on the rights of families with undocumented members, particularly those with heads of household who are undocumented. NCLC attorneys will be joined by MLRI’s advocates Pat Baker and Deirdre Giblin who will present briefly and then help answer questions. They will discuss topics such as benefits eligibility (particularly the MA LIHEAP program), general information about what different immigration statuses mean, public charge, and the fear of being reported to immigrant services. Questions about all energy and utility issues in Massachusetts are welcome.  Register on NCLC's website.