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Federal Shutdown and impact in Massachusetts for families with low incomes: What to know

MLRI
Federal Shutdown: What to know in Massachusetts Food/Cash Benefits in MassachusettsSNAP:DTA issued October SNAP benefits on a normal schedule (between the 1st and 14th of the month). And, DTA is processing applications as normal. As of now, nothing has changed. Visit Mass.gov/SNAP to learn…

SD 3091: An Act to Notify Employees of an I-9 Inspection

MLRI
A Small Change. A Huge Impact. This bill promotes transparency and due process for immigrant workers, provides clear rules for employers during I-9 audits, and aligns Massachusetts with other states that protect both workers and businesses from sudden and potentially unjust immigration…

CORI Basics: Criminal Record Sealing, Expungement & Related Issues

GBLS, VLP/ERLI and DCJIS
Materials from the October 7, 2025 CORI training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training (BBT) series.Training Presentations and HandoutsAgenda (pdf)CORI Faculty Bios (pdf)Legal Tactics Chart (federal) (pdf)FAQs - Excluding the use of Arrest Records in Housing Decisions (pdf)HUD…

Online SNAP Calculator

MLRI
MLRI's revised and simplified online calculator gives you the monthly SNAP benefits amount a household typically receives based on their countable income and expenses.  Go to the  Massachusetts  Online SNAP Calculator  For a paper worksheet and an Excel calculator,…

MA SNAP Calculation Worksheet

MLRI
Use the attached worksheet for  manual SNAP calculations. This worksheet is accurate starting October 1, 2025.  

At-a-Glance SNAP Benefit Charts

MLRI
Below are links to MLRI's "at a glance" charts for advocates to get a quick "guestimate" on the amount of monthly SNAP benefits by typical households. (These charts are not a substitute for dong the SNAP math in individual cases). : Households with older adults or persons with…

Massachusetts SNAP Calculators

MLRI
Three ways to do the SNAP math for MA residents!1. Online SNAP calculator:Here is a link to an online SNAP calculator that you can use right from your browser or mobile device, without downloading anything! 2. SNAP Excel calculator:You can download our Excel…

What Happens to Rental (and other) Assistance When Fed Govt Shuts Down

NHLP
The federal government will shut down at 12:01am Wednesday morning without an agreement between congressional Democrats and Republicans. Most funds for HUD and Rural Development (USDA) rental assistance programs have already been legally obligated through November, so federally-assisted tenants…

Evictions BBT Training (2025)

MLRI
Materials from the September 16, 2025 Evictions training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training Series:AgendaFaculty BiosPowerPointsIntroduction Evictions Part 1 Evictions Part 2Forms and ResourcesEviction TimelineForm to Accompany Residential Notice to QuitSample Summons and…

BBT Training Materials

MLRI
Basic Benefits Training Schedule and Registration: 2025-2026Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) and Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE) present a series of trainings every year for legal, social, health services, and community advocates who assist low- and moderate-income…

Fed Litigation against Trump Admin Actions: TROs, PIs, & Stays

Dani Schulkin and Ryan Goodman, Just Security
Webpage provides infographics on how federal courts have ruled as of 8/14/25 on interim relief (temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, blocks pending appeal) in the 378 cases tracked by Just Security which challenge the second Trump administration's executive actions. No case tracked…

Tenant’s Rights Regarding Broker Fees

MLRI, GBLS, et al.
Starting August 1, 2025, a new law makes clear that landlords cannot require tenants to pay broker fees in MassachusettsUnder the new law:Tenants only have to pay a broker fee if they hired the broker before the broker started working with the landlordLandlords and brokers working for landlords…

Helping Families Get The TAFDC Children's Clothing Allowance

MLRI
Good news for families participating in the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) program! In 2025, DTA will make the payments for children already getting TAFDC on August 29. For the month of September, the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) increases the…

Eviction Record Sealing in Massachusetts (2025)

MLRI, et. al.
Materials from the May 19, 2025 Eviction Sealing training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training Series:Faculty BiosEviction Record Sealing SlidesTenant Screening SlidesPetition to Seal Records PDFSummary of Massachusetts Eviction Record Sealing Law PDF

Elder Benefits Programs -- BBT Training

CLA, DLC, GBLS, MLRI, GSSSI
Materials from the April 17, 2025 Elder Benefits training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training Series: About the Faculty Presentations Elder Basic Benefits Training: Additional resources for older adults (pdf of slides) Elder Basic Benefits Training: Medicare…

House Ways and Means FY 2026 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
On April 16, 2025, the House Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 (FY 26), which is referred to as House 4000. MLRI offers this preliminary analysis of selected budget topics affecting low-income residents of the Commonwealth. Download MLRI's preliminary…

Eviction Record Sealing Community Resources

MLRI
Below are a number of items related to the new eviction sealing law.

Medicare Part D Cost Sharing

Medicare Advocacy Project
Listed please find information on Medicare Part D costs for 2025.   Prior years also included.

Medicare Amounts

Medicare Advocacy Project
The attached chart shows information on Medicare costs for 2025, including deductibles, premiums, co-insurance, and amount in controversy thresholds. Older chart(s) also included.

Medicare Savings Programs: QMB, SLMB, and QI

Medicare Advocacy Project
The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) programs are federal Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) which help low income elders and younger Medicare beneficiaries access Medicare benefits. This brochure is an overview of…

How to Hire and Retain Diverse Talent, Inclusively and Legally

Julie Kratz, Forbes
With diversity, equity and inclusion in the crosshairs in the legal landscape, as well as in the news media, organizations that want to hire more diverse talent may feel stuck in the current polarized environment. Leaders are curious about how to pivot, discontinue or continue with their hiring…

Immigrants and Public Benefits -- BBT Training and Resource Materials

MLRI
The following are materials are for the March 19, 2025 Immigrants and Public Benefits training. These are the core materials presented as part of the annual Mass Law Reform Institute and Mass Continuing Legal Education Basic Benefits Training (BBT) Series. We've also added some additional…

EAEDC Cash Benefit Eligibility and Rights

MLRI
Low income individuals who are age 65 and over, have a disability or care for someone with a disability and certain children may be eligible for Emergency Aid for Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) cash benefits. EAEDC is administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance. This FAQ…

Health Benefits for All Massachusetts Residents Regardless of Citizenship

MLRI
A list of health programs available to all Massachusetts residents regardless of US citizenship or immigration status with a short description of each program and information on how to apply; in English, Spanish & Portuguese. Revised in March 2025 with updated information about CMSP which now no…

Tax Benefits for Massachusetts Families -- BBT Training

DOR, GBLS, HLS, MLRI, NJC
Materials from the March 11, 2025 Tax Benefits for Massachusetts Families training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training Series: About the Faculty Agenda Appendix Tax Benefits for Massachusetts Families - PPT Slides Greater Boston Legal Services letter to…

Rising house prices don’t just make it harder to become a homeowner – they also widen the racial wealth gap

Joe LaBriola
Homeownership has long been a key path to financial security in the U.S. But as home prices soar to record highs, the benefits of rising housing wealth aren’t reaching everyone equally. In fact, the hot real estate market is a major cause of rising racial wealth inequality over the past four…

Red Card Templates

Immigrant Legal Resource Center
All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC’s "Red Cards" help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. The ILRC has "Red Cards" in…

FAQ: Racial Equity Legal Guidance

Stephen Menendian, Othering & Belonging Institute
FAQ to accompany our more robust legal guidance  Advancing Racial Equity: Legal Guidance for Advocates  

BC Immigration Clinic MA DMV Risk Assessment Tool

Mary Holper and Boston College Law School Immigration Clinic
MA Department of Motor Vehicles Risk Assessment Tool to assist clients considering applying for a driver's license in Massachusetts. It is designed as a front and back pamphlet that would go from green on the front cover (least risk) to red on back outside cover (most risk). They would like to draw…

Advancing Racial Equity: Legal Guidance for Advocates

Stephen Menedian, Othering and Belonging Institute
Memorandum has been developed for advocates willing to seek to forthrightly advance racial equity objectives while hewing as closely as possible to prevailing legal constraints and limitations. It also seeks to clarify a few common but unfortunately pervasive misunderstandings that prevail…

Health Care Access Programs -- BBT Training

HLA, BPHC, HCFA, GBLS, MLRI
Materials from the February 4, 2025 Health Care Access Programs training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training Series: Handout Materials Agenda (pdf) About the Faculty  How to Apply for Public Health Insurance Benefits in Massachusetts (pdf of…

Benefits Included in MassHealth by Coverage Type 2025

MLRI
Attached is a Table prepared by MLRI of the different kinds of services and service providers that are available under the various MassHealth coverage types described in MassHealth eligibility regulations & cross referencing to MassHealth fee for service regulations. It's been updated for…

SNAP 101: Basic Benefits Training (BBT) Materials - January 2025

MLRI
Below are the powerpoints and materials from the January 29, 2025 SNAP training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training series. Advocates are also encouraged to review the 2024 MLRI SNAP Advocacy Guide also listed below.  We hope to post the 2025 SNAP Advocacy Guide in…

Statewide Referral List (Immigration providers)

MLRI
Intake criteria for immigration legal service providers in Massachusetts.

Governor's FY 2026 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
On January 22, 2025, Governor Healey released her budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 (FY 26), which is referred to as House 1. MLRI offers this preliminary analysis of selected budget topics impacting low-income residents of the Commonwealth (document updated 2-5-25). Download MLRI's…

Federal Poverty Guidelines - 2025

MLRI
The charts below set forth the annual, monthly and weekly 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines (based on HHS thresholds).  In addition, the annual, monthly and weekly 115% of poverty, 125% of poverty,  187.5%, 200% of poverty and 300% of poverty amounts are listed. Finally, you can…

Utility Advocacy for Low-Income Households in Massachusetts

MLRI, et. al.
Materials from the January 16, 2025 Utility Advocacy for Low-Income Households in Massachusetts training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training Series: Agenda About the faculty Utilities Advocacy for Low-Income Households in Massachusetts (pdf of…

Investigation of the Worcester Police Department and the City of Worcester, Massachusetts

United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and United States Attorney’s Office District of Massachusetts
The Department of Justice (DOJ) opened an investigation of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and the City of Worcester (City) on November 15, 2022. Based on this investigation, DOJ has reasonable cause to believe that WPD and the City engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives…

Cash Assistance: TAFDC BBT Training

MLRI
Materials from the December 03, 2024 Cash Assistance training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training Series: Training Presentation Materials Agenda  Faculty Bios  TAFDC Cash Assistance Program 2024 Training (pdf of slides) TAFDC Basic Rules…

DOJ fines mortgage lender Fairway for alleged racial discrimination

Reuters
 The U.S. Justice Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau penalized Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation for alleged redlining in Black neighborhoods in Birmingham, Alabama, the agencies said on Tuesday, which the company denies. The mortgage lender will pay a $1.9…

Fall River Needs a Balanced Housing Strategy

MLRI
Fall River is riding a wave of exciting changes including the long awaited arrival of the South Coast Rail and a massive waterfront redevelopment. While working class and low income city residents welcome the city’s revitalization, they also need protections from rising rents, eviction and…

SNAP Eligibility Rules/Rights for College Students

MLRI
College students continue to struggle with tuition costs and shrinking financial aid. Even with free community college in MA, which enables more low income students to enroll, many students are eligible for SNAP benefits but are not accessing them. This webpage gives you information on who is…

Race Class Narrative: A Toolkit for Opportunity to Purchase Campaigns

PolicyLink
Effective communications and messaging are a key collective challenge in advancing Opportunity to Purchase campaigns. Faced with monied opposition in communities across the nation, advocates need more tools to combat disinformation about what some see as a complex policy solution while also…

California just banned legacy preferences in college admissions. It's a growing trend.

Zachary Schermele
California’s Democratic governor approved a new state law on Monday that bars private, nonprofit colleges from using legacy or donor preferences in the admissions process.  Admissions officers at those schools will no longer be able to consider whether a student’s parents attended…

Infographic flier: The Added Benefits of SNAP Benefits - in Five Languages

MLRI
MLRI infographic fliers in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and Portuguese that explain the additional benefits of SNAP for Massachusetts--including Summer EBT food benefits, utility discounts, MBTA reduced fares, museum discounts and more!  These fliers may be using…

States Reckon With Lapse of the Broadband Affordable Connectivity Program

Summer Boucher-Robinson & Jake Varn
  End of federal funding has range of effects on policymakers' plans to expand high-speed internet access.

Latinx Awareness Has Doubled Among U.S. Hispanics Since 2019, but Only 4% Use It

Luis Noe-Bustamante , Gracie Martinez and Mark Hugo Lopez, The Pew Center
In the long-running debates about which terms to use to describe the U.S. population with roots in Latin America and Spain, “Latinx” has emerged as a gender-neutral alternative to Hispanic and Latino, the two most popular pan-ethnic terms used today. After years of public use…

Who is Hispanic?

Mark Hugo Lopez , Jens Manuel Krogstad and Jeffrey S. Passel, The Pew Center
So, who is considered Hispanic in the United States today? How exactly do the federal government and others count the Hispanic population? And what role does race play in deciding who counts as Hispanic?

Proposals for Legal Organizations and Law Departments to Improve the Well-Being of Lawyers from Underrepresented and Historically Excluded Populations

Working Group - SJC Committee on Well-Being
In response to a call for concrete actions, Working Groups were formed comprised of Massachusetts lawyers working in different types of legal organizations and settings, including members from the Affinity Bar Associations of Massachusetts and members of the Standing Committee. Over 50 lawyers…

New Study Uncovers Racial Bias in Language Used by Physicians in Medical Records

Stacy M. Brown, NNPA
A ground-breaking study found glaring disparities in the language that healthcare professionals use when recording patient interactions, which could have an impact on the caliber of care that minority groups receive. Titled “Examining Linguistic Differences in Electronic Health Records for Diverse…