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FoodSNAP's Blog Archive for March 2015

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

Boston Globe: State's Food Stamp Business and Policy Changes Hurting Poor in Massachusetts

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/27/2015 - 1:43pm
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Reports of the On-Line SNAP Application (Virtual Gateway) Crashing - Please report if you are seeing this too.

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/26/2015 - 4:50pm
The ARC Food Program just alerted us to this problem (described below). The ARC files SNAP applications for food pantry guests on Saturdays.  We know there are so many problems you are juggling trying to get your clients on SNAP or back onto SNAP.
 
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Still time to register for the March 31 CORI Basic Benefits Training

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/26/2015 - 12:54pm
CORI: Basics of the Law for Legal Aid and Community Service Providers
 
When: Tuesday, March 31, 2015 (9:30 - 12:15)

Location: Mass Continuing Legal Education10 Winter Place, Boston
 
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Baker Administration suspends DTA's error-riddled automated wage matches, but more work to be done!

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/25/2015 - 12:06pm
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) directed the DTA to SUSPEND the automated DOR wage matches based on the extent of errors and confusion in this error filled match. The auto wage match notices and auto case closings were suspended on March 21st and will stay suspended until at least June 1st, or longer. 
 
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Reminder - Boston SNAP Coalition Meeting tomorrow 10 - Noon; Updated Fact Sheet on the SNAP Crisis in MA

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/23/2015 - 5:08pm
 
This is a reminder of tomorrow's (3/24/15) SNAP Coalition meeting, 10 to Noon at St Francis House in Boston (6th Floor). DTA Central and USDA New England Regional Office (NERO) staff will also be attending the meeting, per usual. 

Attached is an updated fact sheet on the SNAP caseload crisis in Massachusetts. We do not yet have the January 2015 caseload data, but we have reason to believe that MA has suffered a 10% SNAP caseload drop since January 2014!
 
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Boston SNAP Coalition Meeting - Tues March 24th; MA SNAP Crisis Continues, more advocacy tips on SNAP triage

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/19/2015 - 6:30pm
The NEXT meeting of the Boston SNAP Coalition is Tuesday, March 24th from 10 to Noon.  The meeting is held at St Francis House in Boston, 39 Boylston Street, Boston MA - 6th Floor.
 
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Congress Targets SNAP- Please Sign National Petition to Support SNAP

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/18/2015 - 1:37pm
Individuals/Organizations: Immediate Action to Support SNAP

From the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC): 
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Physicians, Youth and Senior Organizations Call on Baker Administration and USDA to Halt Erroneous SNAP Terminations, FIX Data Matching and Modernization Problems !!

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/13/2015 - 8:36pm
Massachusetts is now losing over $12M per month in federal nutrition dollars (100K drop in participation of individuals since end of 2013) largely as a result of the extreme error-filled data matching and impenetrable "modernization" of its systems. The SNAP caseload is dropping at a faster rate than the national average and the state unemployment rate.  
 
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SNAP Case Closings and Denials Continue to surge in Massachusetts: Emergency Packet of "Advocacy TIPS" for Clients and Community Advocates

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/13/2015 - 6:27pm
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MA SNAP Caseload Continues Free Fall: Over 45, 000 SNAP Household Decline since October 2013! Organizations Call on Baker Administration and USDA to STOP case closings!

Submitted by FoodSNAP
03/11/2015 - 4:49am
Massachusetts Losing $12M a month in federal SNAP Nutrition Benefits! 
 
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