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FoodSNAP's Blog Archive for October 2014

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

DTA's Business Process Redesign Day 4: Phone numbers for TAO Office Directors; Help needed tracking SNAP and cash client access, problems

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/30/2014 - 2:47pm
As Coalition members likely know by now, DTA has abandoned it's "case-based" system in favor of a "task-based" system.  The new "Business Process Redesign" started Monday, Oct 27th.  Today is DAY 4. Not surprisingly, there have been some systems problems. BEACON shut downs on Monday and Tuesday, Verizon deactivating lines of local office directors, long wait times and disconnects.  We are hoping this is temporary - but we need to know what you are experiencing on the ground.
 
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SNAP Coalition Meeting AGENDA - Tuesday, October 28th; Reminder to track any problems with EBT Retailers not accepting EBT - starting this weekend

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/23/2014 - 7:00pm
The NEXT Boston SNAP Coalition Meeting is Tuesday, October 28th from 10 to Noon at St Francis House (6th Floor)

The SNAP Coalition AGENDA will include:
  • Review of DTA's major "Business Process Redesign" (BPR) which goes into effect on Monday, Oct 27th. See DTA Operations Memo 2014-66 for more information. Bring any questions you may have - this will be Day 2 of BPR
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SNAP Policy Update: Earnings of school youth is NOT countable income - Please flag erroneous DTA wage matches/SNAP terminations

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/23/2014 - 12:54pm
DTA's extreme implementation of it's DOR wage match policy has reached new lows. In addition to many erroneous wage matches/SNAP terminations based on non-countable work study, VISTA, SCSEP income for seniors - we have recently seen a large number of SNAP cases involving earnings of school age children!
 
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Upcoming Events: SNAP Coalition Meeting; DTA Webinar on Business Model Changes; Basic Benefits Training for Working Households; SNAP Academy Webinar

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/20/2014 - 11:18am
This email is to let you know about four important upcoming events end of October and mid-November. Mark your calendars!  
 
October 28th SNAP Coalition Meeting in Boston 
Tuesday, October 28th
10:00 AM - Noon, St Francis House, Boston
 
We will sent out an agenda separately.  Mark your calendar for this important Coalition meeting. 
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AARP Foundation and FRAC Announce New Tools to Fight Hunger among Seniors; Updated DTA SNAP medical expense deduction brochure

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/16/2014 - 2:36pm
AARP and FRAC have just announced the release of a new "tool kit" to help connect more seniors to SNAP benefits and combat food insecurity.  The press release with links to the tool kit is below - check it out!
 
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USDA Releases FFY 2013 Data on SNAP Application Timeliness Processing: MA Drops to 39th Worst State in U.S.

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/15/2014 - 5:27pm
USDA recently posted the state-by-state SNAP "timeliness processing" data for FFY 2013 (that's federal fiscal year for Oct 1, 2012 to Sept 31, 2013). 
 
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Mass WIC Benefits Now Delivered through EBT; Continued monitoring of SNAP EBT access issues

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/15/2014 - 4:38pm
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Are Small Massachusetts EBT Retailers (Bodegas, Convenience Stores) Declining to Accept EBT Benefits?

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/10/2014 - 2:36pm
Have you heard from Massachusetts SNAP recipients about local stores/corner markets that have STOPPED accepting their EBT benefits? In the past month, we have become aware of a few stores that announced they no longer participate in EBT, and put up signs on their front doors or counters including a Cambridge fish monger (who sold other foods) store and a Portuguese food store on the South Shore.
 
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DTA Business Model Changes end of October: What to Advise SNAP Clients and Issues to Monitor

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/09/2014 - 4:31pm
On October 27, 2014 DTA is implementing a change away from a "case management" system to a "first available worker" task-based system. This is a major part of DTA's "Business Practice Redesign", which started in early 2014 with the roll out of Electronic Document Management (centralized document processing in Taunton). The new phone and case manager task system is the next step. DTA has not shared many details but here is what we know
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Betty Reid Mandell: Longtime advocate for Massachusetts' lowest income families

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/03/2014 - 8:53am
Last Friday, September 26th, we lost an amazing and tireless anti-poverty, anti-hunger advocate: Betty Reid Mandell. For those of you who had the good fortune to work with Betty and/or be a student of hers at Bridgewater State College, you will remember her as an phenomenally kind, thoughtful, informed and compassionate woman who believed deeply in the dignity and rights of all human beings.
 
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