Leaders of Mass Speaks Coalition Testify on Expanding Non-English Language Resources Across State Agencies
Leaders of the Mass Speaks coalition, including Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, and Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts, LLC joined forces with community members to testify in support of making state government more equitable and accessible by expanding the capacity of public facing state agencies to serve limited English proficient state residents.
Conference Budget Includes 10% Cash Assistance Increase Starting April 2024
For Immediate Release
Media Contact
NASW-MA: Rebekah Gewirtz | rgewirtz.naswma@socialworkers.org | 617.645.4773
BOSTON, MA (July 31, 2023) – The Massachusetts FY 24 budget includes a 10 percent increase in cash assistance benefits starting April 2024, marking another historic step forward for families in Deep Poverty. This is the fourth increase in four years after decades of frozen benefit levels. These successive increases demonstrate our legislative leaders’ moral commitment to our most vulnerable children, older adults, and people with disabilities.
MLRI to Honor Dr. Michael Curry, Esq. at 2023 Catalyst for Change Event on October 10
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Allie Girouard
agirouard@mlri.org | (617) 357-0700 x 305
BOSTON, July 27, 2023 – Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) will be honoring Dr. Michael Curry, Esq. with the 2023 Catalyst for Change award at a reception on October 10, 2023 at the UMass Club in Boston.
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and National Association of Social Workers-MA Applaud the Healey Administration for Providing Substantial Funds to Streamline Access to Safety Net Programs
For Immediate Release:
Media Contacts
MLRI: Pat Baker | pbaker@mlri.org | 617.357.0700 ext. 328
NASW-MA: Rebekah Gewirtz | rgewirtz.naswma@socialworkers.org | 617.645.4773
New Funding from Administration will Realize Promise of Common Application Law and Improve Access to Critical Safety-net Benefits for all Low-Income Massachusetts Residents
Boston, MA (June 22, 2023) — Today, the Healey Administration announced $40 million in federal and state funding to implement the law promoted and passed in 2022 that would streamline access to core safety net programs. Legislation passed in August of 2022, Chapter 174 of the Acts of 2022, directed the Administration to create a Common Application for SNAP, MassHealth, cash assistance, childcare and housing subsidies, fuel assistance, and other needs-tested benefits and today this funding infusion will ensure the state can reach this goal.
Brown Rudnick and MLRI Win Ruling for Massachusetts Families
BOSTON, June 15, 2023 – Brown Rudnick and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) obtained a favorable ruling for children and families in a lawsuit filed against the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).
In this case, a Superior Court justice found that DCF had violated the due process rights of a mother when it denied her the right to an agency hearing to challenge DCF’s finding of a “substantiated concern” that she had neglected her child.
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Opposes Cuts to Critical Food and Cash Benefits for Our Lowest-Income Neighbors
Imposing SNAP work requirements on older adults and doubling down on TANF work rules will increase hunger and deepen poverty
BOSTON, MA (May 30, 2023) — The debt-ceiling agreement expands failed work requirements for SNAP and TANF, jeopardizing access to food and basic income for tens of thousands of low income people in Massachusetts.
Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition Hosts Legislative Briefing on Restoring Basic Benefits for Immigrant Households on May 2nd at the Massachusetts State House
Media Contact:
Christine Dunn, Seven Letter
christine@sevenletter.com
617.646.1044
Boston (April 26,2023) – Members of the media and public are invited to attend a legislative briefing event on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 to raise awareness to the plight of the immigrant community who lack access to basic food assistance and other key benefits. This event will highlight the need for both legislation and funding to restore basic food and cash assistance benefits for legally present immigrants, and will include presentations from medical professionals and organizations working with immigrant families. It will also include resources for constituent services staff working with immigrant families.
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Celebrate Inclusion of Eviction Protections in the House Ways and Means Budget and Call for Robust Rental Assistance
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Christine Dunn
christine@sevenletter.com | 617.646.1044
Eviction protections expired March 31st, and the failure to restore would increase avoidable evictions, cause loss of housing and homelessness, and reduce rental assistance payments to landlords.
Boston, MA (April 14, 2023)— Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) and Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) are praising language in the recently released House Ways and Means fiscal year 2024 state budget to reinstate and make permanent critical eviction protections known as “Chapter 257”. These protections would guarantee that tenants facing eviction are granted a case continuance if they have a pending emergency rental assistance application, ensuring that time is provided for tenants and landlords to gain access to critical funding and avoid unnecessary evictions.