What's new at MLS

DTA updates - interviews, June supp, P-EBT    Application interviews: FNS did not accept DTA's request to extend the waiver of the SNAP application interview for households who have provided all mandatory proofs. All SNAP applicants will be required to have a phone…

SNAP Caseload Update - MA continues to improve USDA data shows .6% increase in Massachusetts for July 2015. For the third month in a row, the SNAP household participation has increased. The most recent available data posted in October for July 2015 shows a .6% increase for MA. The…

1. Substance use disorder services  Last year a state law improving substance use disorder services was enacted (c. 258 St. 2014). A provision requiring MassHealth & MassHealth managed care plans to cover detox and up to 14 day crisis stabilization services without prior authorization…

Please see email from Frank Martinez Nocito re second round of FINI grants announced by USDA. If your organization is interested in applying, please contact Frank at DTA directly. And REMINDER -  Statewide Food for Good Conference at UMass Amherst on Friday, October 30th! Central MA…

We are writing to alert you to two recent Operations Memos where DTA has decided that when SNAP benefits are not being used fast enough or are "un-accessed" - DTA has a process for first taking the SNAP benefits "offline" and, if they remain un-accessed,…

DTA has issued new guidance, Operations Memo 2014-24, that changes how DTA confirms information they get about a SNAP or cash recipient's new job, an increase in wages or a problem with a Social Security number (SSN).  DTA typically gets wage information from the…

  The NEXT Boston-based SNAP Coalition Meeting is Tuesday, March 25th from 10 to Noon at St Francis House in Boston. The Coalition meeting will include discussion of the Farm Bill and Massachusetts "H-EAT program".  A more detailed agenda will follow.  Meanwhile, we…

See below for latest info forwarded from MassHealth & the Connector --   Temporary Coverage. Most people applying for help paying for insurance have gotten temporary coverage (MassHealth Standard Fee for Service; They get notice but no card,…

Here is a link to the  income guidelines for MassHealth effective March 1st. There are two charts.  The first from MLRI includes a couple of new features.   First of all, the 100% poverty guidelines used for MassHealth Elders includes the $20 income disregard in its…