MLRI and NASW-MA Applaud the Baker Administration and Massachusetts Legislature for Breaking Down Barriers to Increase Access to Public Benefits
BOSTON – Following years of advocacy by more than 150 anti-poverty and public health organizations, on February 15, 2022, the Baker Administration announced their plan to allow low-income households the right to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at the same time they sign-up for MassHealth. This implements a legislative directive included in […]
Statement of Patricia Baker, Senior Policy Advocate, in response to SNAP & MassHealth application change
For too long, Massachusetts households in need have faced bureaucratic obstacles in order to access benefits they need to make their rent payment or put food on the table. For anyone seeking assistance, times are already difficult for them and we should be doing everything we can to ease the burden.
It’s Time to Lift Children Out of Deep Poverty
The Boston Globe had it right in their January 25, 2022 editorial piece Ending welfare as we know it – again: states should tie their cash assistance payments to inflation so that poor, vulnerable families don’t get squeezed by rising costs.
Analysis of the Governor’s FY23 Budget Proposal
The annual budget process begins each year when the Governor files budget recommendations as a bill with the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Under the state Constitution, the Governor must submit a proposal by the 4th Wednesday of January or, in the event of a new term, within the first five weeks. This bill is called […]
Massachusetts Senate Passes Meal Debt Legislation
Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed H. 3999, An Act to Promote School Nutrition, which will address the challenge that children and families living in poverty face when it comes to unpaid school meal debt. You can learn more about this legislation on the MLRI blog or in Commonwealth Magazine. “We are very pleased that the […]
Massachusetts Takes Another Step Toward Lifting Kids Out of Deep Poverty
In July 2021, Massachusetts made further progress towards Lifting Kids Out of Deep Poverty with a 9.1 percent increase in cash assistance grants for families with children, elders, and people with disabilities. Thanks to the incredible advocacy and leadership of Senator Sal DiDomenico and Representative Marjorie Decker, together with 121 legislative co-sponsors of the Act […]
MLRI Applauds Passage of Meal Debt Legislation in the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Last week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed An Act Promoting School Nutrition (H.3999), which will address the challenge that children and families living in poverty face when it comes to unpaid school meal debt. That legislation, championed in the House by State Reps. Andres X. Vargas of Haverhill and Sean Garballey of Arlington, will […]
Facing Eviction or Worried About Paying Rent? Help Is Available
On July 31st, the federal eviction moratorium, put in place as the pandemic took hold in 2020 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, expired. On August 3rd, the Biden Administration announced a moratorium that is similar but does not presently cover all Massachusetts residents – but it will give the Commonwealth time to act […]