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FoodSNAP's Blog Archive for June 2014

The latest information on SNAP/ Food Stamp advocacy in Massachusetts.

SNAP ALERT: Fault Determinations and proration of SNAP benefits

Submitted by FoodSNAP
06/30/2014 - 6:23pm

Starting this month, when a SNAP application or recertification is approved after the initial 30 day period DTA no longer automatically puts SNAP on the EBT card going back to the date of application. Now, if a case is approved or reopened after the first 30 days,DTA is required to determine the cause of the delay in processing and attribute "fault" to either DTA or to the client. If it is client fault, SNAP will be "prorated" and issued from the date DTA got everything they needed to determine eligibility. If it is DTA's fault, SNAP will go back to the date of the application.

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FRAC Webinar on July 8--Community Eligibility: Everything You Want to Know but Were Afraid to Ask

Submitted by FoodSNAP
06/24/2014 - 4:34pm

FRAC is hosting a Webinar on July 8 at 3 pm regarding Community Eligibility. The FRAC webinar is a great opportunity for advocates and school administrators to ask questions about CEP and opting in for the 2014-15 school year.

Food Research and Action Center

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Agenda for upcoming SNAP Coalition meeting--Tues, June 24 at SFH

Submitted by FoodSNAP
06/19/2014 - 1:24pm

This is a reminder that the June SNAP Coalition Meeting is Tuesday, June 24 from 10 to Noon at St. Francis House in Boston (6th floor). Pat Baker is on vacation so Vicky Negus will be chairing the meeting. 

The Coalition meeting agenda will include:

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SNAP Policy Update: "E-Notification" for SNAP/Cash Households Gears Up; New Heating/Cooling Expense Questions on SNAP Applications and Recert Forms

Submitted by FoodSNAP
06/14/2014 - 3:37pm
This is a reminder that the NEXT Boston SNAP Coalition will be Tuesday, June 24th from 10 to Noon at St Francis House. Vicky Negus of MLRI will be chairing this meeting. An agenda will follow next week.
 
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USDA Extends School Meals Community Eligibility (CEP) Deadline to August 31st; Child Health Watch "Food Is Medicine" Brief on CEP

Submitted by FoodSNAP
06/13/2014 - 2:57pm
BREAKING NEWS!
 
USDA announced yesterday that they are EXTENDING the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to August 31st! See announcement from CBPP and FRAC below. Please urge all schools with high poverty rates to consider this important option.
 
And here's some great resources from Child Health Watch about CEP including their June 11th Brief: Food is Medicine: Why Community Eligibility is a Prescription for Hunger-Free Schools

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Memorial service for anti poverty and welfare rights activist Dottie Kech-Stevens and daughter Teri Kech: Saturday, June 21st

Submitted by FoodSNAP
06/10/2014 - 2:50pm
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Media on MA Schools Pursuing Free Meals for All Students Under "CEP" - Is YOUR Local School Stepping up to the Plate?

Submitted by FoodSNAP
06/10/2014 - 12:58pm

The clock is ticking - June 30th is the deadline for School Districts to notify the Mass Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) they wish to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and provide free lunch and breakfast to all children in one or more schools, or to students in the entire school district. About 25 school districts have sent letters to DESE expressing interest in CEP, but quite a few more school districts can participate if they choose to do so. Here's a link to the list of school districts potentially eligible.

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Additional Massachusetts Schools or School Districts Potentially Eligible for "Community Eligibility" or Universal Free Meals for Their Low-Income Students: Deadline is June 30th

Submitted by FoodSNAP
06/06/2014 - 4:08pm

Did you know that there are 880 elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts - of nearly 2,000 schools - that have high percentages of low income students and could be providing free breakfast and lunches to ALL students in the school or throughout the school district?

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SNAP Policy Update: Job search requirements, exemptions and reimbursements for job search expenses

Submitted by FoodSNAP
06/05/2014 - 10:35am

Under the SNAP rules, household members ages 16 through 59 are required register for work during SNAP application and recertification - unless exempt. (SNAP household members are exemptfrom the work registration/ job search requirements when: receiving Unemployment Comp; already working 30 hours/week or more; caring for a child under age 6 or a person with disabilities; pregnant in 2nd or 3rd trimester; temporarily or permanently incapacitated; in school at least half time; participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program and other exemptions.)

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