You are here

Home > News and Blogs > Blogs on MLS

Blogs on MLS -- All Posts

Identity verification at food pantries (TEFAP food)

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/20/2010 - 4:41pm

As Coalition members know, over the past year we have received complaints throughout the state that a number of local food pantries were requiring households to produce photo IDs as a condition of food distribution. The demand for a photo ID was affecting a wide range of low income persons - both U.S. citizens and immigrants alike - who lacked a photo ID due to homelessness, theft, domestic violence, fear of showing expired documents, or simply lack of any photo ID even though they had other forms of identification.

Read more

Update on Required Proofs (Verifications ) for FS/SNAP Households and Sample Forms

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/20/2010 - 2:27pm

At the October 6th Western Massachusetts Food SNAP Coalition meeting, a number of community groups noted that SNAP/Food Stamp applicants are still being asked for proof of shelter expenses (rent or home ownership) even though the shelter cost information provided by the household is not questionable. A number of Coalition members also noted that the Virtual Gateway SNAP application has no question that allows a household to claim shelter costs, child care or other expenses and asked for a sample form clients could use.

Read more

USDA grants 3 Month Extension on SNAP Utility Allowance, NO reduction in benefits!!

Submitted by FoodSNAP
10/01/2010 - 12:00am

Dear Food SNAP Coalition members:

Read more

Child Nutrition and SNAP cut - Keep the pressure on Massachusetts delegation!

Submitted by FoodSNAP
09/29/2010 - 4:03pm

Below is an email from the FRAC with an update on the proposed cuts to SNAP to fund Child Nutrition reauthorization. Members of the Food SNAP Coalition discussed this issue in detail yesterday, agreeing we need to keep our delegation strong "against robbing Peter to pay Paul!" Over 106 members of Congress signed onto Congressman Jim McGovern's August 13th letter urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi to find another way to fund the Child Nutrition reauthorization without cutting SNAP funding.

Read more

Food SNAP Coalition AGENDA - Tuesday, Sept 28th - Update on SNAP benefit amounts

Submitted by FoodSNAP
09/27/2010 - 2:24pm

TO: Food SNAP Coalition Members
FR: Pat Baker

The September Coalition meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, September 28th, 10 AM to Noon at St Francis House, 39 Boylston Street, Boston (6th Floor).

The AGENDA will include the following (as well as issues and announcements from Coalition members present):

Read more

DTA to close two local offices - North Adams and Milford

Submitted by FoodSNAP
09/15/2010 - 12:00am

Below is an email communication from Commissioner Kehoe sent earlier today announcing the closing of two local DTA offices - North Adams and Milford. If your organization works with low income clients living in the Central and Western Mass communities served by these two DTA offices, it is important to discuss with DTA ways to ensure clients continue to have access to DTA staff and services. The Commissioner's email indicates that DTA is going to explore satellite offices in these two areas.

Read more

Upcoming Training, meetings, student resource guide and more!

Submitted by FoodSNAP
09/15/2010 - 12:00am

Here's some important events and resource materials for your anti-hunger work:

Upcoming FS/SNAP Training on 10/13: ABCD and MLRI are hosting a training October 13th on the nuts and bolts of the food stamp/SNAP program. Attached is a flier announcing the event and registration information (through ABCD).

Read more

Upcoming FS/SNAP and Other Public Benefits Trainings for 2010/11

Submitted by FoodSNAP
09/08/2010 - 3:38pm

I. MLRI's Annual "Basic Benefits Training" Series:

Read more

Massachusetts awarded major USDA grant - food stamp/SNAP discount for buying produce

Submitted by FoodSNAP
08/19/2010 - 12:00am

A big kudos to DTA Commissioner Julia Kehoe and her staff for pursuing and winning this huge federal grant for Western Mass! Thanks also to Coalition members who submitted letters of support.

Attached is a brief DTA description of the Healthy Initiatives Pilot proposal as submitted by DTA last April, which gives you a good description of the Massachusetts HIP proposal (elements of which may have changed in the final approval). And here's today's Boston Globe story announcing the grant award: Food Stamp Discount for Buying Produce (Boston Globe article no longer available)

Read more

UI extension granted! Q & A and other materials for clients and social services advocates

Submitted by FoodSNAP
07/30/2010 - 12:00am
Thanks all for a terrific meeting on Tuesday - banner attendance on a hot July day!  Thanks also to Margaret Monsell of MLRI for her presentation on the nuts and bolts of UI including how the federal Tier system and extended benefits work and what the recent federal extension means. Below is the press release from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The UI checks for eligible persons will go out imminently !! 
 
Read more