big news for SSI kids, P-EBT outreach, MLRI SNAP resources and more!

"These grandparents and all the kinship families are the true heroes here: raising their disabled grandkids, nieces and nephews at home, especially during the pandemic. Kinship families in Massachusetts and across the country need access to all available benefits to raise the next generation, including free school breakfast, lunch and Pandemic EBT benefits. No one in the Commonwealth should feel food insecure but unfortunately, we are dealing with record levels of hunger as the COVID-19 crisis continues on. We're glad we could assist the Baker Administration in advocating for this critical policy clarification under the National School Lunch Program and we are ready to assist in implementation,” said Patricia Baker, Senior Policy Advocate, Mass Law Reform Institute

 

 

We confirmed with DTA that the Department of Early and Secondary Education (DESE) has shared the names of kids who have not PINed their PEBT card yet with school districts directly. So, this information is now  available for schools/districts to do outreach!

 

Attached is a spreadsheet from DTA with the data on cards that have not yet been PINed - broken down by city/town. This list is accurate as of 2/2/21. We encourage you to look up your city/town to get a sense of the scope in your area, and then be in touch with your school district to encourage direct outreach (using the lists they got from DESE) to families with un-PINed cards! If you have questions about how to message P-EBT or need resources, check out the outreach page on MAp-EBT.org - let us know if you have questions. 

 

Powerpoint/handouts from training: MLRI did a robust training on Wednesday as part of the MCLE Basic Benefits Training series. We have posted the Powerpoint and handouts on Mass Legal Services HERE. Some resources to highlight: a 1 page overview of reporting rules for SNAP and a 1 page chart with an overview of changes due to COVID.