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Helping agency vs. an Authorized Representative

MLRI
We often hear of confusion from DTA case managers and from community organizations about the role of a helping agency or individual vs. the role of an Authorized Representative. It is very important that persons assisting with a SNAP case are not conflated with an Authorized…

Myths about the 10-Year Law Fotonovela

Iris Gomez, MLRI
**NEW (March 2018): Fotonovela Is Now Available in Haitian Creole!**   Fotonovela Printing Instructions:   If you want to print your own copy of “Maria and Jesus, Their Four Children, and Some Myths About the 10-Year Law,” you have two options. You can print each…

The US Census Bureau keeps confusing race and ethnicity

Nancy Lopez, Director, Institute for the Study of "Race" & Social Justice; Associate Professor, Sociology, University of New Mexico
If you were walking down the street, what race would strangers automatically assume you were? “Street race” – what race you look like, based on your skin color, facial features and more – is an important aspect of a person’s experiences. For example, research…

Federal Title IV-E funding to the states

Child Trends
Child Welfare Financing SFY 2014: A survey of federal, state, and local expenditures, Kristina Roskinsky, Dana Dean Connelly, OCT 04, 2016 Child Welfare Financing SFY 2014: Massachusetts Child Welfare Financing SFY 2014:  State-Level Data Table (SFY 2014 is the most recent state level…

FAMILY FIRST ACT PRESS

Inside Game: The Key Players Behind Washington’s Biggest Foster Care Reform in Decades, Daniel Heimpel, Chronicle of Social Change, March 7, 2018 Trump’s Top Child Welfare Official: Family First a Good First Step, but True Prevention is Key, Jerry Milner, Chronicle of Social Change,…

National Immigration Law Center: Health Issues

NILC

MassHealth Income Guidelines effective March 1, 2018

MLRI. MassHealth
The MLRI Health Income Chart includes the 5% MAGI allowance, plus the $20 income disregard for MassHealth Senior calculations The MassHealth Desk Guide does not include combined figures.

The Cap on Kids -- Impact on Gateway Cities

MLRI
About the Gateway Cities Gateway Cities are midsize urban centers that anchor regional economies around the state. For generations, these communities were home to industry that offered residents good jobs and a “gateway” to the American Dream. Over the past several decades,…

MassHealth Income Guidelines 2017 & 2018

MLRI, MassHealth
Attached are four tables.  The MLRI MassHealth Income Table for March 1 2017.  This table factors in the 5% MAGI income deduction to the various poverty levels.  Effective in MassHealth Mar 1, 2017 to Feb 28, 2018. Updated for Connector Open Enrollment beginning Nov 1,…

How Do I Talk About the Violence I Experienced? A Guide for K-12 Students and Their Caretakers

VRLC and Surviving in Numbers
 How Do I Talk About the Violence I Experienced? A Guide for K-12 Students and Their Caretakers  The Victims Rights Law Center and Surviving in Numbers have launched a resource bank and guide for young survivors (in kindergarden through 12th grade) and their caretakers.  The…

Lawyer for a Day for Housing Cases

MLRI
Information/Resources related to Lawyer for a Day Lawyer for a Day Next Steps Form - Customizable Word Document for Your LFD Program to Help Clients Keep Track of Next Steps Lawyer for a Day Program Housing Court Standing Order Reducing the Civil "Justice Gap" by…

Family First Act Implementation Timeline

Children's Defense Fund

Family First Prevention Services Act Summaries

Children's Defense Fund

Governor's FY 2019 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
The Governor’s FY 2019 Budget Proposal: Preliminary Analysis of Selected Cash and Nutrition Assistance,  Child Welfare, Health Care, Homelessness Services, Housing, Income Supports and Legal Services Items On January 24, 2018, Governor Baker released his budget…

The hidden health inequalities that American Indians and Alaskan Natives face

Annie Belcourt, University of Montana
From the article: "Unfortunately, my story isn’t uncommon for most Native Americans. As a collective, American Indians and Alaska Natives live more challenging and shorter lives. These are statistics I’m acutely aware of as researcher in clinical psychology. Understanding…

SSI Deeming Chart

The attached chart includes SSI eligibility thresholds based on parent to child, spouse to spouse, and spouse to spouse to child deeming.

Frequently Asked Questions: USCIS Is Accepting DACA Renewal Applications

National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Produced by NILC and United We Dream, this updated FAQ sheet on DACA renewal is also available on NILC's website, here. This is a useful resource for determining whether a person is eligible to renew, and what the necessary steps entail. For the links to the relevant USCIS forms for…

2017 DTA Performance Scorecards

DTA
DTA monthly scorecards for 2017, which include performance measures such as SNAP, EAEDC, and TAFDC caseloads, average waiting times, and accuracy rates. February 2017 (DTA did not post a January scorecard) March 2017 April 2017 May 2017 June 2017 July…

2018 SSI Payment Levels; 2018 SSI and SSDI Threshold Amounts

Disability Law Center
Two charts: 2018 SSI payment levels in Massachusetts 2018 SSI and SSDI threshold amounts

Massachusetts Housing Resources for Puerto Rico Evacuees

MLRI
Information to assist persons displaced from Puerto Rico who are looking for affordable temporary or permanent housing in Massachusetts.  Also included below is a Housing Fact Sheet for Puerto Rican Families in English and Spanish.

CHIP Flyer

CHAC
Federal funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program expired on September 30, 2017.  Massachusetts and other states are continuing to operate their programs using unexpended prior funding, but this is rapidly running out.  Funding in Massachusetts could be exhausted sometime in…

Deadline extended: Disaster unemployment assistance in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

National Employment Law Project
In recent months, tens of thousands of people in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have found themselves unemployed or unable to get to work due to Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma.  There is jobless aid available to people who are unemployed due to natural disasters. NELP…

Free On-demand Webinar on Puerto Rico Disaster Relief

Practising Law Institute
PLI is offering a free presentation of key post-disaster legal issues, as well as best practices.  It can be viewed here. 

2018 Open Enrollment in Massachusetts

Vicky Pulos, MLRI
Attached is a flyer with basic information about  open enrollment for 2018.  This applies to people who are enrolled in or applying for ConnectorCare or other non-group health insurance. The flyer includes links to key information on the Health Connector website and elsewhere. Also…

Representing Limited English Proficient Clients and Working with Interpreters: Tips and Traps for the Pro Bono Lawyer

Thsi training sponosered by Foley Hoag LLP, the Boston Bar Association, the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Council, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), the Victim Rights Law Center and the Women's Bar Foundation can be watched by clicking the "go to…

Family Preparedness Packets

MLRI and members of the Massachusetts Immigration Law Coalition
In a time of increased immigration enforcement, many immigrant families are looking for resources and other tools to proactively prepare in the event they are separated from their children. Many of the tools available are also applicable for families who have no interaction with the US immigration…

Immigrants and Disaster Relief

MLRI
1. Do I have to be a U.S. resident or citizen to apply for emergency disaster relief? You can qualify for non-cash FEMA disaster programs even without legal immigration status. Getting other benefits depends on your immigration status. 2. Will I be considered a public charge and denied…

Housing Opportunities for Tenants Displaced from HUD Multifamily Housing after 2017 Hurricanes/Disasters

MLRI
Summary of Housing Opportunities for Tenants Displaced from HUD Multifamily Housing after 2017 Hurricanes/Disasters

ConnectorCare Premiums for 2018

Connector
Attached are the premium charges by plan and by region for ConnectorCare in 2018.  Starting Nov 1, 2017 current enrollees can change plans, and new applicants can sign up for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2018.  ConnectorCare is offering only one "affordable" plan choice and current…

MLRI MassHealth/Connector Income Guidelines for Open Enrollment beginning November 1, 2017

MLRI
Attached is a revised MLRI MassHealth Income Chart, revised to reflect the 2017 FPL levels for the Connector programs. 2017 FPL income guidelines are effective in ConnectorCare during the January through December 2018 enrollment period.  Open Enrollment for 2018, begins on November 1st and runs…

FEMA Information for Legal Aid Advocates

National Disaster Legal Aid Website
Information about FEMA for legal services advocates, including materials from FEMA litigation and trainings about FEMA.

MassHealth Eligibility Review Forms- English & Spanish

MLRI
These forms are used in MassHealth redeterminations.  Do not use for applications.  For under 65 year old only. Not on MassHealth website

DisasterAssistance.gov

Disaster Assistance Improvement Program
This website is a project of the Disaster Assistance Improvement Program. DAIP was created by a federal executive order. From the site's About Us section: The site allows you to: Find disaster assistance that meets your personal needs. Learn about more than 70 forms of…

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance, U.S. Department of Labor
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides unemployment benefits to individuals who have become unemployed as a direct result of a Presidentially declared major disaster. Learn more by clicking the "Go to Website" button below.

Resources for Families Relocating from Puerto Rico

Boston Public Schools
Boston Public Schools created a page with information and resources for families relocating from Puertor Rico.  Click "go to website" below.

Introducing A Tax-Smart Way to Save for Disability Expenses

Massachusetts Advocates for Children
With the passge of the Americans Achieving Better Life Experience (ABLE) ACT, Americans with disabilities can now save and invest in a tax-advantaged account for short and long-term disability expenses, without risking their disability benefits. Click the "Go to Website" linke below to…

Supervised Visitation Centers -- Massachusetts

MLRI
Supervised visitation centers are community organizations in various locations that provide supervised visitation services.   List of Supervised Visitation Centers in Massachusetts 

MIRA Coalition DACA Update

MIRA Coalition
MIRA Coalition's update on DACA related issues and areas for advocacy. 

National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center

ProBonoNet et al
From the home page: The goals of DisasterLegalAid.org are: To serve as a centralized national resource for legal aid, pro bono and criminal defender attorneys across the country on legal issues related to all types of disasters, To recruit and help mobilize pro bono attorneys in the…

DACA

National Immigration Law Center
Updates about  DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) from the National Immigration Law Center. Click the "go to website" link below to access this information on NILC's website.

FOR OUR WHITE FRIENDS DESIRING TO BE ALLIES

COURTNEY ARIEL
Author's Note: I'm writing this in hopes that it can be used to lighten the load of marginalized folks, keeping in mind that not all marginalized people want to engage in the ally conversation, and that is perfect as well. For those who do, my prayer is that when someone asks you the…

105 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

Corinne Shutack
Regularly updated article from "Equality Includes You" outlining concrete steps that White people can do to advance racial justice.

PAIR Project / Legal Resources

PAIR
The Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR) is a nationally recognized pro bono model that works to secure safety and freedom for asylum-seekers who have fled from persecution throughout the world and to promote the rights of immigrants unjustly detained. See PAIR's website for…

How to Help DTA Clients with Disabilities- Harper and Accommodations

GBLS
Thousands of people with disabilities turn to DTA for help each year.  Often, their disabilities can make it harder to get or keep the benefits they need and qualify for. Do you have clients who have trouble applying for benefits or completing a cash reevaluation or SNAP recertification because…

Technology Essentials: Top 10 Free Computer Tools for Law Librarians

Avery Le
Easy to use tools to help in research, data visualization and presentations.

DTA Operations Bulletin 2017‐06: Over-Verification

DTA

Veterans Legal Services - Legal Information and Resources

Veterans Legal Services
Veterans Legal Services has developed legal information for veterans, including a series of videos prepared in conjunction with the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.

Protections Delayed for Survivors of Domestic Violence: A Shriver Report on state housing finance compliance with VAWA

Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
The Shriver Center, NHLP, ACLU, Regional Housing Legal Services, NNEDV, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid just released a report on the failure of many state housing finance agencies to fully implement the protections provided to survivors in need of or living in…

Cerebral Palsy Group

Cerebral Palsy Group
Cerebral Palsy Group is a national organization that was created so that to serve the individuals and families who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Click the "go to website" link below to find  resources and information for those affected by CP.

Hate Speech Law in Massachusetts

Gary Smith
Blog post that speaks to how hate crime and hate speech are related, but not identical topics.