Govt. Agency /Court Links& Materials

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Links to court or government agency websites. Also, materials issued by the agency or court itself (except for regulations and decisions) as well as rules and procedures governing the court or agency and its operations.

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MassHealth & Health Connector Unwinding Policy Updates (April 2024)

MassHealth & Health Connector
Attached is the  MassHealth & Health Connector Learning Series Update for the Spring 2024 Massachusetts Health Training Forum (MTF). In the MassHealth section it includes information about the status of various policies in place during the unwinding. Some are ending in 2024 in April, June…

OLGT 2024-23: Cross Program: P-EBT Replacement Card Requests in BEACON and End of Monthly File Transfer from Department of Early and Secondary Education (DESE)

DTA
An enhancement has been made in BEACON to allow DTA staff to issue P-EBT replacement cards. Staff are no longer advised to complete P-EBT replacement card requests via the P-EBT landing page on DTAConnect. The P-EBT landing page was removed from DTAConnect. After March 31, 2024, P-EBT clients will…

DTA Local Office Contact Information, Client Assistance Coordinators, Domestic Violence Specialists and DOH Liasons

DTA
DTA Local Office Contacts This directory includes address, phone, and fax information, as well as the names of the directors and assistant directors of each local office.  Note that this is current as of March 2024. There may have been changes since that time. To contact a director…

MassHealth Language Access Plan 2024-2025

Office of Medicaid
On March 28, 2024 MassHealth updated its language plan for 2024-2025.  Attached below is the prior LAP for 21-23 and the 24-25 plan. The link below is to the 24-25 plan. Also see Governor Healy's Executive Order 615 (Sept 13, 2023) Promoting Access to Government Services and Information by…

OLGT 2024-19: Cross Programs: (USES) S.T.E.P. and (BAY-CASH)

DTA
Two pilot programs have been added to Universal Basic Income / Guaranteed Minimum Income Pilots. (1) United South End Settlements (USES) S.T.E.P. program (Striving Towards Economic Prosperity) provides $800 per month for 16 parents of children enrolled in their youth programs for a period of…

OLGT 2024-20: EAEDC and SNAP: Interim Disability Verification Procedures

DTA
The Department continues to develop a permanent disability determination process that will streamline the disability verification process for the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) program. This will include BEACON changes, new forms, notices and procedural changes. In…

OLGT 2024-18: SNAP: System Enhancements Related to Medical Deduction (Phase One)

DTA
In June 2022, Online Guide Transmittal (OLGT) 2022-49 outlined the provisions of the Standard Medical Deduction (SMD) waiver. Under the SMD waiver, elderly and/or disabled clients can self-declare medical expenses if the total monthly amount is less than (or equal to) $190 and have the SMD of $155…

OLGT 2024-17: Cross Program: DTA Connect My Info Page Enhancements and BEACON Interface

DTA
To maximize DTA Connect self-service options, improve BEACON functionality, and ease the administrative burden for staff, both the DTA Connect My Info page and BEACON have been enhanced. These enhancements are expected to maximize SNAP benefits, reduce phone traffic and expedite the time it takes to…

OLGT 2024-15: Cross Programs: CAC Weekly Management Report

DTA
Client Assistance Coordinators (CACs) utilize the CAC Weekly Management Report to assist in the implementation of Department initiated accommodations. This report is a collection of key data indicators to provide CACs with the information required to proactively assist clients with retaining and…

OLGT 2024-16: Cross Programs: Benefit Decision Notice – Additional Languages

DTA
The Department continues to work to enhance and expand client communications. Effective February 16, 2024, the Benefit Decision Notice (BDN) will be available in four additional languages to English and Spanish: Chinese (Simplified), Haitian Creole, Portuguese (Brazilian), and Vietnamese. Forms…

OLGT 2024-13: Cross Programs– DTA Child Care Updates

DTA
DTA and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) continue to work in partnership to meet the child care needs of families who are receiving TAFDC and/or SNAP and are engaging in work, education, training programs or other service need. Effective October 1, 2023, EEC released new regulations,…

OLGT 2024-14: TAFDC: Temporary Suspension of Pathways to Work Referrals to the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI)-Employment Support Services Program (ESSP) and Comprehensive Refugee Employment Services (CRES)

DTA
DTA provides eligible resettled refugees and immigrants with TAFDC Pathways to Work activity referrals to a network of service providers contracted through the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI). ORI administers programs such as the Employment Support Services Program (ESSP) and…

OLGT 2024-11: SNAP: COVID-19 SNAP Recertification Process versus Regular SNAP Recertification Proces

DTA
Under the Continuing Resolution Bill, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) allowed DTA to streamline the recertification process and waive the recertification interview by applying the Interim Report (IR) rules to most SNAP recertifications. Additionally, a relatively small number of…

OLGT 2024-12: TAFDC: Disability Verification Process Interim Updates

DTA
As the Department continues to develop a permanent disability determination process and streamline the disability verification process for the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), certain procedures that had been implemented during the public health crisis have been adopted…

OLGT 2024-10: SNAP: Resumption of SLAM Procedures

DTA
When a household claims expenses that are in excess of its income, the Department considers it a Suspected Living Above Means (SLAM) case. In this circumstance, staff must explore with the household how it is managing its finances by comparing the information the client provides with…

OLGT 2024-9: SNAP: Implementing the State SNAP Supplement

DTA
The attached PDF is DTA's Online Guide Transmittal 2024-9 that explains the new state-funded SNAP benefits for immigrant households who are "Permanently Residing Under the Color of Law " (PRUCOL) and Humanitarian Parolees.  According to DTA, active SNAP households with members newly eligible…

OLGT 2024-7: Cross Program: Language Updates for TAFDC parents who have additional requirements due to their age.

DTA
As part of the TAFDC Pathways to Work program redesign, the Department has made several changes to how economic assistance and engagement staff support clients in connecting to and participating in activities and meeting the work and school rules. This work also affects how these rules…

OLGT 2024-8: Cross Programs: TAFDC and SNAP 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines

DTA
Each year, updates to the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) are published in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Once the FPGs are published, BEACON is programmed to use new eligibility standards when calculating income eligibility for TAFDC parents under…

OLGT 2024-2: SNAP: Retrieving 40 Quarter Reports from the Reports Analysis & Protected Information Dashboards (RAPID) System & Converting Earnings from Foreign Currency

DTA
The Department previously used Mango Reports to retrieve 40 Quarter Reports from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Mango Reports were made available as a part of Actuate Reporting. In June 2022, the Department’s Actuate Reporting system was replaced by the Reports Analysis &…

OLGT 2024-5: Cross Programs: Social Security COLA for TAFDC, EAEDC, and SNAP

DTA
Every year in January, the Social Security Administration (SSA) implements a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. This COLA can affect TAFDC, EAEDC, and SNAP benefits. COLA calculations for…

OLGT 2024-6: Cross Programs- The 2024 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), Massachusetts Earned Income Credit (EIC), and Child Care Assistance Mailing

DTA
The Department will be sending out a mailing, along with texts, and emails to clients to inform them of tax credits and child care assistance. The mailing, texts, and emails are scheduled to begin January 30, 2024. The mailing, texts, and emails will be sent to all active TAFDC, SNAP,…

OLGT 2024-4: Cross Programs: The Support to Low-Income Mothers of Preterm Infants and The Camp Harbor View Guaranteed Income Pilots

DTA
Scheduled for 2024, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health will launch The Support to Low-Income Mothers of Preterm Infants Pilot, a new universal basic income pilot. This pilot is designed to support low-income birth parents of preterm infants. The participants in this study will…

OLGT 2024-3: Cross Program: Federal Mileage Rate update

DTA
Effective immediately, the new federal mileage rate of 67 cents must be used when calculating allowable transportation costs to be applied as a medical expense deduction or a dependent care expense deduction. The new mileage rate represents an increase when compared to last year’s rate.

OLGT 2024-1: Cross Program: Update on Treatment of Training Stipends

DTA
Effective immediately, training stipends are considered noncountable income for the TAFDC, EAEDC, and SNAP programs. This change is being made to support economic mobility for individuals by allowing them to maintain access to benefits while participating in training programs that…

MassHealth Webinar on Understanding Citizenship & Immigration Requirements for Health Programs

MassHealth & Health Connector
Attached are slides of this Jan 2024 webinar in the Massachusetts Health Training Form (MTF) Learnings Series developed by MassHealth and the Health Connector called Understanding  Citizenship and Immigration Requirements for Health Programs.  A YouTube recording of the webinar is…

HIX System Changes in Dec 2023

MassHealth & the Health Connector
Attached is an Assister Update  describing a series of December 2023 changes to the HIX system that determines eligibility for MassHealth for most people under 65 and for ConnectorCare and premium tax credits from the Health Connector. The update describes new questions and messages in the…

MassHealth Overpayments

State Auditor and MLRI
Attached are excerpts from the State Auditor's FY 2023 BSI Annual Report in which it explains that CMS prohibits collection of overpayments from beneficiaries (except in limited circumstances) and that pursuant to this directive, the BSI has suspended civil collection of beneficiary overpayments and…

OLGT 2023-86: TAFDC & EAEDC: Assisting Clients with Meeting the Application for Other Benefits Requirements

DTA
Clients applying for or receiving Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) or Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) must verify eligibility factors to be approved for or continue to receive benefits. Staff are to assist clients to the best of…

OLGT 2023-80A: TAFDC: One-time TANF Pandemic Emergency Assistance Payment (Revised)

DTA
As part of The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Pandemic Emergency Assistance fund was established. Massachusetts is using the remaining money within this fund to issue a one-time payment of $39.17 to children and pregnant grantees who received a…

OLGT 2023-83: Cross Program: Assisting Individuals and Families with Immunization and Direct Deposit Requirements

DTA
Economic Assistance case managers are required to assist individuals and families to meet program rules. Updates have been made to the Online Guide to clarify and streamline procedures for immunization and direct deposit requirements to increase engagement with individuals and families who are…

OLGT 2023-85: SNAP: Restaurant Meals Program

DTA
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a state option that allows certain eligible households to use their SNAP benefits to purchase meals at approved restaurants. RMP expands food options to certain DTA households who may have barriers to preparing and cooking food for themselves. The Department…

OLGT 2023-84: Cross Programs: Other Holiday Gift Verification Letter (alternative to Globe Santa)

DTA
Many community organizations participate in charitable gift giving to children during the holiday season. Some of these organizations require proof that families are in need. DTA can provide a Holiday Gift letter for children under 14 that families can present to an organization to participate…

OLGT 2023-82: TAFDC – Full Engagement Worker and Self Sufficiency Specialist Communication and Engagement Strategies

DTA
Accessibility to local office Full Engagement Workers (FEWs) and Self- Sufficiency Specialists (SSSs) is key in supporting client engagement in TAFDC Pathways to Work employment and training options and increasing opportunities for families. As the Department continues to refine how we…

OLGT 2023-80: TAFDC: One-time TANF Pandemic Emergency Assistance Payment

DTA
As part of The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Pandemic Emergency Assistance fund was established. Massachusetts is using the remaining money within this fund to issue a one-time payment of $39.17 to children and pregnant individuals…

OLGT 2023-81: Cross Programs: ADA Accommodation Request Script Update

DTA
The ADA Screening is required to ensure equitable access to Department benefits by all applicants and clients, inclusive of clients with disabilities. To ensure that each client is asked about the need for an ADA accommodation to meet a Department requirement, the Accommodation/ Special…

Settlement: SNAP lawsuit against DTA about use of SNAP out of state

MLRI
  This information is for people who got a notice titled "Notice of Class Action Settlement in SNAP Lawsuit Against the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)." These notices were mailed by DTA on July 3, 2023. Click here to see the notice in English.  Para leer esta…

OLGT 2023-77: Cross Program: P-EBT Returned Mail and the Discontinuation of Expungement Restoration for P-EBT Benefits

DTA
BEACON enhancements have been made to include returned mail for P-EBT related notices that are returned to the Department for DTA and Non-DTA clients. These households will not be sent a Returned Mail Notice (RMN), as they are not required to report any changes to the Department for…

OLGT 2023-74: Cross Programs: High School Equivalency Testing and Vouchers

DTA
Effective February 2023, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) began covering the cost of high school equivalency tests, commonly known as GED or HiSET, for eligible residents of Massachusetts. DTA will no longer provide voucher codes to current and former TAFDC recipients…

OLGT 2023-76: SNAP: Group Home Update Regarding Agency EBT Card and DDS Central West Mailing Address

DTA
In March of 2020, in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the Department temporarily closed Transitional Assistance Offices (TAOs) to the public and transitioned staff to telework. TAOs have since reopened, and the Department has now transitioned back to pre-COVID procedures…

OLGT 2023-78: TAFDC: Changes to ESP Assistance Unit Assignment Process

DTA
This Transmittal advises staff of revised procedures and functionality to ensure the ESP portion of a TAFDC case is assigned to a Full Engagement Worker (FEW). Anticipated to go live October 6, 2023 the ESP AU will no longer be automatically assigned by BEACON, and instead the case manager will…

OLGT 2023-73: SNAP: Reclassification of Public Assistance (PA) SNAP when Cash Assistance Closes

DTA
Effective October 26, 2023, when a household’s cash case closes and the PA SNAP household does not qualify for TBA SNAP benefits, the SNAP household will be reclassified as NPA (Non-Public Assistance) with a Simplified Reporting certification type. Simplified Reporting (without the “12 Months”…

OLGT 2023-79: SNAP: Retroactive Benefits Related to Glynn vs. Mary Sheehan as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance

DTA
The Department and MLRI have reached a settlement in the Glynn lawsuit. The Department has agreed to issue a one-time, retroactive supplement to certain clients and former clients whose SNAP benefits were terminated because they did not reverify Massachusetts residency after out-of-state…

OLGT 2023-75: Cross Programs: AU Mass Assignment

DTA
A new page has been added to the Online Guide detailing instructions on how to use the AU Mass Assignment feature, a tool that is useful for transferring caseloads between Economic Assistance staff. A recent update to BEACON was made that makes it easier to assign and transfer cases based on a…

OLGT 2023-72: Cross Programs: Clarification Regarding the Telephonic Signature Line for Clients that Block Access to Online Services

DTA
The Department’s previous call center system prevented clients who had blocked access to online services from participating in the telephonic signature process. In these instances, a specific workaround was required to assist clients with obtaining a telephonic signature. However, the new call…

ConnectorCare 2024: Open Enrollment begins Nov 1 2023

Health Connector
Massachusetts Health Connector: Open Enrollment 2024 Open Enrollment for the Health Connector is just around the corner, Nov 1, 2023 –Jan 23, 2024 for coverage starting in 2024. The Health Connector sent out preliminary redetermination notices to its current members and an opportunity to update…

OLGT 2023-71: TAFDC: Supporting Clients in Learnfare Engagement

DTA
DTA continuously strives to provide guidance to local office staff that supports the needs of DTA clients and assists them in accessing and maintaining their benefits. Learnfare policy can result in grant reductions, but the goal of the policy is to ensure children are attending school regularly.…

OLGT 2023-69: Cross Programs: The Newton Thrive Economic Stability / Mobility Initiative

DTA
Scheduled for late 2023, The City of Newton is partnering with Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath), a Boston-based nonprofit on Newton Thrive. Newton Thrive is an economic mobility initiative that provides low-income Newton families with one-on-one mentoring and $251 of monthly cash…

OLGT 2023-70: Cross Programs: Replacement of Electronically Stolen Benefits

DTA
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has approved the Department of Transitional Assistance’s (DTA) plan to use federal funds to replace SNAP benefits stolen through card skimming, card cloning, and other similar fraudulent methods, including organized…

OLGT 2023-68: TAFDC: Ensuring Benefit access for Temporarily Separated Cuban/Haitian Entrant Families

DTA
DTA has seen an increase in TAFDC applications for newly arriving Cuban/Haitian Entrant families who are temporarily separated from one parent due to the volatile situation in their home country, and their inability to relocate together. At times, one parent is temporarily separated from the rest of…

OLGT 2023-66: Business Process (BP): Updated Guidance and Expectations for Voicemails

DTA
To ensure consistency and accuracy of information regarding the Department’s operations, the voicemail greetings for the local Transitional Assistance Offices (TAOs) main phone numbers have been updated to reflect current TAO operations. The message is recorded in both English and Spanish for all…