MBTA Discount Youth Pass (SNAP & MassHeath recipients) - 10 metro areas need a push!

MBTA Youth Pass

In February the MBTA announced a special discount Youth Pass program for low-income youth who are not enrolled in a traditional high school (These discounts are already offered to high school students.) The Youth Pass program is for individuals under the age of 26 who are in certain approved GED or employment/training programs, OR who are recipients of SNAP, MassHealth or other needs-based benefits. (Note, this is not for highschool students, because they already get a discount Youth Pass.) The Youth Pass is a monthly $30, or a "pay as you go" 50% discount. See Youth Pass info at:  https://www.mbta.com/redirect/fares_and_passes/reduced_fare_programs?id=6442454105

Four cities are active in the program and report great results! Three more are pending. Ten (10) other municipalities were invited to partner with the MBTA to offer this benefit to low income youth but have NOT responded to the MBTA or have declined. We want to know why!!

• CURRENT cities participating in MBTA Youth Pass: Boston, Chelsea, Malden, Somerville

• PENDING cities that have told MBTA they plan to participate and have started the paperwork: Cambridge, Quincy and Revere

The following 10 cities were INVITED to participate in the Youth but have NOT responded to the MBTA:

• Arlington
• Belmont
• Brookline
• Everett
• Lynn
• Medford
• Melrose
• Milton
• Newton
• Watertown

Attached is a sample letter sent to all the target cities in the MBTA's "core assessment area" including the 10 above.

If you live or your place of work covers these towns, we hope you will help us figure out WHY they did not accept this generous offer from the MBTA to participate in the Youth Pass program.  If you want to get a general snap shot of the aggregate number of low income households based on SNAP or Medicaid recipients - see the SNAP Gap interactive map which shows recipient population by city and zip code.https://public.tableau.com/profile/food.bank.of.western.ma#!/vizhome/MHandSNAP/Story1 (Data not broken down by age or demographic).

DTA has posted information about the Youth Pass program on the OnLine Guide:  https://eohhs.ehs.state.ma.us/DTA/PolicyOnline/%21SSL%21/WebHelp/userguide_test.htm​

If you are able to work with us on expanding the Youth Pass, please contact MLRI volunteer Beth Capstick, ecapstick@mlri.org 

JF&CS Bet Tzedek Legal Services - SNAP/Benefits Advocacy Job Opening !! 

JF&CS Bet Tzedek Legal Services is looking for a SNAP/Benefits Advocate. Please find more information about the position on our web site: https://jfcsboston.hirecentric.com/jobs/116231.html

Please feel free to share with your networks. Thank you,

Lindsey Daley, Senior SNAP/Benefits Advocate
JF&CS Bet Tzedek Legal Services
1430 Main Street, Waltham MA