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 both the FY21 and FY22 state budgets, representing a significant step toward a streamlined application process for means-tested benefits that has widespread bipartisan support in the legislature, impacting roughly 600,000 MassHealth recipients who likely qualify for SNAP.
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 “House 1” or “House 2” depending on the year.
On January 26, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2023 (FY23), which is referred to as House 2. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute prepared this analysis of selected budget topics impacting low-income residents of the Commonwealth:
- Cash Assistance, SNAP and Related Items Administered by DTA
- Child Welfare: DCF and Related Items
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Health Issues in MassHealth and ConnectorCare
- Homeless Services
- Housing
- Legal Services/Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation
In the next step of the state budget process, the House Committee on Ways and Means examines the Governor’s budget and will release its own budget recommendations for deliberation by the House of Representatives. MLRI will prepare an analysis of the House Ways and Means budget when it is released.