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What "Fair Housing" Means for People with Disabilities

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download the booklet from the Bazelon Center website.

Bullying and Harassment Resources

Massachusetts Advocates for Children
In May, 2010, the Massachusetts legislature passed anti-bullying legislation which took effect immediately. The following are links to resources on this topic. ChapterCCMassachusetts anti-bullying statute, Chapter 71 Section 37O. Massachusetts statute that includes information on…

Massachusetts Homestead Protection Law (effective March 16, 2011)

NCLC and MLRI
On March 16, 2011, a new Massachusetts Homestead law went into effect.  It completely revised and modernized Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 188, sections 1-10.  Here are some of the important highlights:​ Link to the new law Questions and Answers about the Homestead Act…

SNAP Caseload Increase in Massachusetts by County: July 2010 to January 2011

MLRI

For Elder and Disabled Clients: new laws to protect their money and assets

NCLC
New laws to protect money and property of the elderly and the disabled go into effect shortly.   Here are the highlights: Special protection under homestead law As of March 16, 2011, homeowners who are disabled or age 62 or older have three choices in connection with the new homestead…

Consumer Protection Law in Massachusetts

MLRI
Links about 93A, the Massachusetts Consumer Protection law: Consumer protection law summary  (Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs) Taking action fact sheet for consumer, and sample demand letter (Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs) Guide to Consumer Credit (see page…

New Personal Property Exemption Laws Effective April 7, 2011

NCLC
On April 7, 2011, new Massachusetts laws which expand personal property exemptions go into effect.  The new laws redefine the money and personal property a creditor cannot reach to satisfy a debt.  The most significant new personal property exemptions are as follows:a car up to $7,500 in…

TANF and TAFDC in Massachusetts

Deborah Harris, MLRI
An overview of the federal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) block grant as it is implemented in Massachusetts, including an explanation of the funding stream, state maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements, and what types of expenditures the state can use the TANF grant…

Breaking the Language Barrier: A Report on English Language Services in Greater Boston.

The Boston Foundation.
Breaking the Language Barrier: A Report on English Language Services in Greater Boston reports Greater Boston's immigrants and the ESOL system designed to serve them. This report notes the availability of ESOL services available to immigrant communities in the Greater Boston area.

MEPA (Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment)

MA DESE
Federal and state laws require that English language learner (ELL) students be assessed annually to measure their proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, English, as well as the progress they are making in learning English. In keeping with these laws, ELL students participated in…

Executive Order 527. “Establishing the Office of Access and Opportunity."

Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Click the "Go to Website" link below or see PDF for the text of the Executive Order 527 by which Governor Deval Patrick creates the Office of Access and Opportunity, dedicated to ensuring non-discrimination, diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of state employment, programs,…

Materials related to emerging issues with electronic benefit cards and new benefit payment methods

NCLC, Shriver Center, Consumer's Union
On February 3, 2011, the Shriver Center, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and Consumers Union hosted a free webinar to discuss the differences between various electronic benefit payment methods and investigate the implications of the new trend toward electronic payment cards (EPCs) for…

POMS SI 02302.200 Charted Threshold Amounts

SSA
Determination of 1619(b) eligibility

Communicating More for Less: Using Translation and Interpretation Technology to Serve Limited English Proficient Individuals

Jessica Sperling, Migration Policy Institute
From MPI's website: "Advances in translation and interpretation technology have given language access professionals a multitude of options for breaking down language barriers. However, with different and seemingly complex types of technologies now available, selecting the right…

2011 SSI Eligibility, Income Conversions, Deeming Chart

Division of Perinatal Early Childhood & Special Health Needs, MA DPH

Consumer Rights Screening Tool for DV Advocates & Lawyers

National Consumer Law Center & Center for Survivor Agency and Justice
Consumer Rights Screening Tool for DV Advocates & Lawyers (2011) Leah A. Plunkett of National Consumer Law Center & Erika A. Sussman of Center for Survivor Agency and Justice This screening tool aims to:   provide a general overview of common consumer issues with which…

Fact Sheet: 2011 Social Security Changes

SSA
There is no increase in monthly SSDI and SSI benefits in 2011 because there is no increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2008 (the last year a COLA was determined), to the third quarter of 2010.

SSA Info on Rep Payee Misuse of Benefits

Office of the Inspector General

2011 SSI Payment Levels and SSDI/SSI Thresholds

Disability Law Center

FACT SHEET: MEDICARE PREMIUMS, DEDUCTIBLES FOR 2011

CMS
Different categories of Medicare beneficiaries will have different Medicare costs in 2011:People who have been paying for their Medicare Part B premiums will continue to pay $96.40.Those newly eligible for Medicare will pay $115.40 (the state will pay this amount if the individual is eligible for…

Link to National Health Care for the Homeless Council Resources on Disability

National Health Care for the Homeless Council

GPO Access (links to CFR, Fed. Reg. , U.S. Code)

U.S. Government

Overview of Education Topics on MA DESE site

MA DESE PQA
Frequently asked questions on a wide array of education topics:  contacting Program Quality Assurance at MA DESE; extended school year; special education evaluations and eligibility; homeschooling; restraints; section 504 and contacting the Office for Civil Rights; links to laws and regulations;…

Separate SNAP/ Food Stamps Household Status for Disabled Persons Unable to Prepare Their Own Food

MLRI
There are TWO different Food Stamp/SNAP policies that affect persons with disabilities who are unable to purchase and prepare their own food. 1.  One rule affects persons who live and share food with other persons and who are both disabled and elderly. In this case, to qualify for separate…

A Bridge to Where? Short-Term Housing Assistance for Homeless Families in Massachusetts . . .

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
A Bridge to Where? Short-Term Housing Assistance for Homeless Families in Massachusetts and the Ongoing Need for Affordable Housing and Emergency Shelter. A 2010 policy paper concerning family homelessness policies which identifies concerns related to the state’s heavy reliance on…

Agenda SSI Coalition Meeting, November 12, 2010

Linda Landry

2011 Medicare Parts A and B Benefits and Gaps

The SHINE Program
Charts that outline benefits and gaps in Medicare coverage.  Refer also to the 2011 Medicare & You handbook for more information about Medicare benefits.

Understanding Medicare Enrollment Periods

Department of Health and Human Services
Knowing when you can get Medicare can sometimes be confusing. This tip sheet is designed to help you learn more about enrollment in the different parts of Medicare, including who can sign up, when you can sign up, and how the timing can affect your costs.

Translation Toolkit - Foreign Language Guide

Office of Public Health Strategy and Communications
This document provides information on the top six languages spoken in MA (Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Khmer) and best practices for translating English language materials into these languages.

Plain Language Online Course

Write Clearly
A self-guded learning experience.  Click the "Go to Website" link below to access the online course from the WriteClearly website.

Don't Pay to Borrow Your Own Money: The Risks and Costs of Tax Refund Anticipation Loans

National Consumer Law Center
A brochure for consumers about the tax refund anticipation loans.  Click the "Go To Website" link to download the brochure from NCLC's website. This brochure is available in other languages as well. including Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese,…

A Bill to Stabilize Neighborhoods -- chapter 258 of the Acts of 2010 -- New Massachusetts Foreclosure Law

Massachusetts
On Saturday August 7, Governor Patrick signed into a law “A Bill to Stabilize Neighborhoods” which had been approved by the Legislature on July 27, 2010 . A link to the bill is here. The bill addresses the worsening foreclosure crisis in Massachusetts where there have been 7,431 foreclosures…

Modernizing Public Benefits Programs: What the Law Says State Agencies Must Do to Serve People with Disabilities

NCLEJ and Maxiums
This pamphlet, adapted from National Center for Law and Economic Justice materials, discusses the legal obligation to make agency websites accessible to people with disabilities, to make any online application forms and process accessible, to modify agency policies and practices when necessary to…

Working with an Interpreter

Legal Services of New Jersey
In this video, you will learn some basic tips that will allow you to communicate effectively and easily through an interpreter with a person who doesn't speak your language.

Desk Guide to Non-citizen Eligibility for Child Care

GBLS
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) agrees that Child Care Resource and Referral Centers and the providers should not deny any child based on failure to document citizenship or noncitizen eligibility and instead should refer the cases to EEC central. Naomi Meyer, GBLS, wrote the…

Still Lost in Translation

Make the Road New York & the New York Immigration Coalition
(NY) City Agencies' Compliance with Local Law 73 and Executive Order 120: Examining Progress and Work Still to be Done  

Brief History of Legal Services in Massachusetts

Ken Maciver and Allan Rodgers
A brief history of civil legal services in Massachusetts, written by Ken Maciver (director of Merrimack Valley - North Shore Legal Services) and Allan Rodgers (director of Massachusetts Law Reform Institute).

Housing Stabilization Notice 2010-01, Guidance on Additional Adult Household Members and Related Notices

DHCD
This Housing Stabilization Notice discusses how to address additional adult household members. Each EA household must contain at least one adult (over the age of 18) and one or more children (under the age of 21), which can include an unborn child for a pregnant woman. Many households have more than…

Links to Consumer Materials About Credit Reports and Credit Repair

MLRI
Links to brochures for consumers about credit reports and credit repair. Truth about Credit Reports/Credit Repair Companies National Consumer Law Center Truth about Credit Reports and Credit Repair Companies (Spanish) National Consumer Law Center

Agenda for SSI Coalition, May 14, 2010

Svetlana Uimenkova

Representing Clients Under the Harassment Order Statute, G.L. c. 258E

Mintz Levin, VRLC, DSVC, WBF
A harrassment order statute, M.G.L. c. 258E, was enacted in Massachusetts in 2010.  Under this new law, victims of sexual assault and stalking can obtain protective orders even if they do not satisfy the relationship requirements of M.G.L. c. 209A.  Attached are…

Links to Consumer Information about Foreclosure Prevention

MLRI
Links to brochures about foreclosure prevention. Saving Your Home from Foreclosure National Consumer Law Center Steps Advocates Can Take to Help Prevent Foreclosure National Consumer Law Center Foreclosure Prevention Information and Resources Greater Boston Legal…

Divorce and the Alternatives

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS)
This brochure is designed to provide you with information on divorce and the alternatives to divorce.  The separation of a married couple creates several issues which must be addressed such as: child custody, child support, visitation, and property division.  Although divorce is the most…

Name Changes: Naming Your Children, Recording Your Child's Name, Changing Your Child's Name

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS)
This booklet is designed to answer some of the questions you may have about your rights regarding naming your children, recording your children’s names, changing your name, or changing your children’s names.In particular, this booklet focuses on answering the following questions:Deciding…

Information About How to File Papers in Probate and Family Court

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS)
How to File Papers in Essex Probate and Family Court A document prepared to give pro se litigants to give an overview of the kinds of cases filed in Essex County Probate & Family Court includes information about procedures related to filing these cases. also…

Medicare: A Primer

The Keiser Family Foundation
This primer explains key elements of the Medicare program, which now provides health coverage to 47 million people -- including 39 million people age 65 and older and another 8 million younger adults with permanent disabilities. It looks at the characteristics of the Medicare population, what…

Health Reform: Key Medicare Changes Effective in 2011

Health Assistance Partnership
HAP recognizes that in the coming months SHIPs will be asked a number of questions about the changes to Medicare under health reform. The new law includes immediate and important changes to the Medicare program that affect access to care for beneficiaries as well as SHIP program operations. Here is…

Health Reform: Key Medicare Changes Effective in 2012 and Beyond

Health Assistance Partnership
HAP recognizes that in the coming months SHIPs will be asked a number of questions about the changes to Medicare under health reform. The new law includes immediate and important changes to the Medicare program that affect access to care for beneficiaries as well as SHIP program operations. Here is…

Health Reform: Key Medicare Changes Effective in 2010

Health Assistance Partnership
HAP recognizes that in the coming months SHIPs will be asked a number of questions about the changes to Medicare under health reform. The new law includes immediate and important changes to the Medicare program that affect access to care for beneficiaries as well as SHIP program operations. Here is…

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Reform Implementation Timeline

Kaiser Family Foundation