What's new at MLS

As an organization that works with low income people in Massachusetts, we wanted to make sure that your staff knows about the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder -- a new, web based tool that connects low income people in Massachusetts with legal help. To use the LRF, which is free, people go…

We are writing to ask SNAP Coalition Members to flag SNAP or cash cases of individuals currently or previously denied or terminated from SNAP or cash assistance benefits because DTA thought they were incarcerated. DTA started an "automated" prison match with the Department of Corrections (DOC)…

Tomorrow the Governor releases his proposed budget for the next fiscal year.  Meanwhile, the health coverage landscape gets ever more confusing. Attached and reprinted below is our best effort to describe the Jan 1 transition with links to information from MassHealth & the…

Please note, the NEXT SNAP Coalition meeting in Boston is Tuesday, January 28th from 10 AM to Noon.    DTA and the eNotification pilot in Massachusetts:   DTA has started the process of collecting both email addresses and written permission…

We are continuing to receive calls and emails about the Massachusetts EBT photo policy from community partners and individual recipients. This email is to give you a brief update on the EBT photo card implementation and to ask you to continue to flag EBT card cases, even if…

Because of state legislation enacted in July 2012, DTA is now (1)   Charging for replacement EBT cards for TAFDC and EAEDC, and (2)   Tracking multiple requests for replacement (TAFDC, EAEDC, and SNAP). DTA has issued policy guidance on how local DTA offices will replace a cash assistance EBT…

We have just heard from some local food pantries that clients are seeking food due to the power outages and flooding from Hurricane Sandy.  This is a reminder that SNAP recipients who lost food purchased with SNAP benefits can request SNAP replacement benefits, even if power has since been…

We've received a number of inquiries on how to calculate rental income received by SNAP households who have tenants in their, including many elders who are "empty nesters" who have rented out a portion of their homes, as well as working families who have multi-family…

 The following training announcement is from SNAP Coalition Member, Roxanne Reddington Wild. Note that these sessions fill up, so please RSVP early if you want to attend on Monday, October 29th!! ---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Roxanne…

  We often get requests for information on the actual SNAP and cash assistance households in local communities.    Hot of the press is the most recent information we recently received from DTA with information on the SNAP, TAFDC and EAEDC cash assistance caseloads by zip…