What's new at MLS

Does the US Census count matter for Massachusetts?  Absolutely!  Everything from how many Congressional Districts we have to the allocation of certain federal means-tested dollars to the state and more.  Thanks to our friends at AARP Massachusetts (why reinvent the wheel?),…

MLRI recently became aware of a number of SNAP web applications denied for lack of verification of residence, even though the applicant submitted a current RMV license or state ID.  SNAP Coalition members also flagged this problem at the May 20th Coalition meeting. Under…

See email from Frank Martinez-Nocito re rescheduling of event due to foul weather.  If you would like to get updates on this and other events, please send Frank your email.  frank.martineznocito@state.ma.us   Separately, there was a small error in the EBT photo flier…

We have continued to receive calls and emails from community organizations and/or SNAP recipients directly who have received SNAP termination notices. We have been called by employers who were asked to produce verification for persons that have not worked for them.  We have seen a flurry of…

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Press Release Contact: Kim Haberlin – 617-470-9686 Claire Cooper – 617-921-6870 STATE WILL PURSUE DUAL TRACK TO PREPARE HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE WEBSITE FOR FALL 2014 OPEN ENROLLMENT Sarah Iselin, Optum to present responsible…

USDA has released some very useful demographic information for your advocacy work, a cautionary alert about SNAP scammer,  and two upcoming Webinars for Spanish speakers.  Check it out!  1) SNAP Demographics by Congressional Districts: Using SNAP program data and information…

TO:  Food SNAP Coalition Members FR:  Pat Baker Happy Veterans Day and Happy 11-11-11.  We wanted to be sure you saw today's Globe editorial exhorting local cities and towns to reach out to local veterans and their families in financial need and help them access…

We received a copy of the email below llate last week announcing a change in the guard at DTA. Julia Kehoe will be moving over to EOHHS to take on a new Senior Policy Development position and Daniel Curley of the Justice Resource Institute will be taking the DTA helm. EOHHS Secretary Dr. Bigby's…

This is late breaking news, and many of you may not have even known trouble was brewing.  Late last night the U.S. Senate voted DOWN a proposal to cut SNAP benefits including BOTH our Massachusetts Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown!! The vote was 41 Yes to 58 Nays on one very harmful amendment.…

Sending Client Documents to DTA Boston Web SNAP Unit – Secure Email OptionFollwing recent discussions with the Boston Centralized Web Unit about ways to improve SNAP application processing, agencies that serve clients in theBoston Web Unit catchment areas have the opportunity to set up secure…