Income Maximization -- BBT Training
Date:
Materials from the June 11, 2025 Income Maximization training gathered by Legal Services Center, GBLS, MLRI, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training series.
Handouts
- Advocacy Tools for Maximizing Income and Reducing Expenses 2025 (pdf)
- Benefits and Resources Checklist (pdf)
- SNAP Benefit Amounts
- TAFDC Table of Need and Payment Standards
- Moving benefits from DTA for SSI Recipients
- 2025 SSI Payment Levels in MA
- MassHealth Income Level Charts
- Boston Tax Help Coalition
- Advocacy Campaign:
- Agenda (pdf)
Additional Materials
TAFDC
- Income Eligibility Charts and Information (link)
- DTA Ombudsman's Office and Local Office Contacts (link)
- List of DTA Client Assistance Coordinators (link)
- TAFDC Transportation Benefits (link)
- Transitional Support Services (link)
Child Care Benefits
- Child Care Benefits (pdf)
- Financial Assistance for Families (link)
- Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (link)
- Desk Guide to Non-citizen Eligibility for Child Care Financial Assistance (link to pdf)
Child Support
- Mass.gov Child Support Page (link)
Transportation
- Help with Buying a Car
- Accessibility on the MBTA (link)
- TAFDC Advocacy Guide (link)
- Youth Pass Eligibility Criteria (pdf)
- Bluebikes EBT and Other Discounts
Health Care
- Understanding the Affordable Care Act:
- Application for health and dental coverage and help paying costs (En and Sp) (link)
- MassHealth Permission to Share Information Form (PSI) (link)
- Application for Waiver or Reduction of MassHealth premium (link)
- Tips for meeting a MassHealth deductible (link)
- MassHealth and Other Health Programs Income and Eligibility Chart (link)
Education and Training
- UI Training Opportunities Program (TOP):
- Overview (link)
- Requirements (link)
- Application Information (link)
- Resources about Pell Grants and other Financial Aid for UI Claimants (link)
- Workforce Individual Training Accounts (ITA)
SNAP/FoodStamps
- Overview of Snap and Food Benefits (link)
- Food Benefits and Immigrants:
- Eligibility (link)
- How to Increase SNAP benefits through child care and medical deductions:
- Child and Dependent Care Deduction (link)
- Medical Expense Deduction (links)
- SNAP benefits charts: Working families with children; UI recipients; and Two Person Elder/Disabled Households with Unearned Income (link)
- College students access to SNAP benefits (link)
- SNAP photo IDs for EBT cards (link)
- Online SNAP calculators (link)
- 2024 SNAP Advocacy Guide (link)
- ABAWD Info (link)
- MLRI’s ABAWD Guide for Community Organizations (link)
Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Benefits
- WIC program overview on Mass.gov (link)
- WIC approved food guide (link)
- The WIC Card (link)
- Income Guidelines (link)
- How to Apply (link)
- Can men participate in WIC? (link)
Unemployment Insurance (UI)
- 2023 Unemployment Advocacy Guide (link)
- Department of Unemployment Assistance
- Attorney General’s Office FAQ on COVID and Employment Issues
- Unemployment Services for Workers
- Unemployment Guide, Benefits and Free Services
Utilities
- Home Energy Assistance (HEAP or LIHEAP) Information (link)
- 2025 HEAP eligibility and benefit chart (link)
- 2025 Cold Relief Information (pdf)
- Fuel Assistance Programs - who is eligible and how to apply (link)
- Utilities and Other Benefits
- Shutoff Protection (link)
- Lifeline – benefit to access phone and minutes (link)
- Utilities Advocacy Resources (link)
- Affordable Connectivity Program
Tax Credits
- IRS EITC income limits and max credit amounts (link)
- Outreach for Tax Credits (link)
- EIC and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (link)
- Education Tax Credits for College and Job Training (link)
- Economic Stimulus Payment/Recovery Rebate Credit
Homelessness Prevention Programs
- Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)
- Emergency Assistance Advocacy Guide (link)
- Find regional administering agency by city or town
- Family Resource Centers (for METAR)
- CHAPA Housing Toolbox
Bankruptcy
Student Loan Debt
- Income-Driven Repayment Plans Q&A (link)
- IDR Plan Court Actions: Impact on Browers (link)
- Discharge application for total and permanent disability (link)
- Discharge applicant Representative Designation (link)
- NCLC's Student Loan Resources (link)
CORI/Criminal Record Sealing
Immigrants/Public Charge
Veterans' Services
- MassLegalServices Veterans section
- Chapter 115 Benefits/Safety Net Program
- SNAP for Veterans
- Mass Vet Benefit Calculator
- DAV Massachusetts