Spring Advocacy Updates
Our advocates know that meaningful change takes time – a win today only leads to change tomorrow if advocacy is ongoing.
Whether it is the restoration of state-funded food benefits for immigrants or the creation of access to counsel in eviction cases, when we take on issues, we are making a long-term commitment.
The successes we’ve had in the past few months are the result of that committed advocacy – and will be the catalyst for more wins down the road. Thank you for joining us on this journey towards justice.
Lift Our Kids Coalition Rallies Against Governor’s Cash Assistance Cuts, Thurs. Jan. 11 at 11 AM, State House Steps
BOSTON, MA (Jan. 9, 2024) – The Lift Our Kids Coalition will rally on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 11 AM to voice its shock and dismay at Governor Healey’s cuts to cash assistance. The Governor eliminated an urgently needed 10% increase to cash assistance that was scheduled to start on April 1.
Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition Applauds Legislature and Governor Healey for Restoring Basic Nutrition Benefits to Legally Present Immigrants
La Colaborativa, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and the Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition praise food assistance for families at a time of need
BOSTON, MA: Members of the Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition, formed in January 2023 to address the basic unmet needs of legally present low income immigrant families in Massachusetts, lauded the General Court and Governor for passing a Supplemental Budget on December 4th that provides $6 million in state funding to restore basic benefits to legal immigrants ineligible for federal benefits.
Lift Our Kids Coalition Urges Legislature to Raise Cash Assistance Grants and Commit to Cost of Living Increases
BOSTON, MA (October 10, 2023) – On Wednesday, the Lift Our Kids Coalition submitted a 73-page packet of written testimony to the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities from supporters of bills to Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty (H.144/S.75) on Wednesday. The Committee heard oral testimony a month ago. The packet includes testimony from 23 organizations and two individuals, sharing examples of how low cash assistance grant levels harm families and children in communities across Massachusetts and urging the Committee to act on the bills, which would set a floor for cash assistance at 50% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and commit to increases in grants to keep pace with inflation.
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.
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.
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.
Joint Statement to Massachusetts Congressional Delegation: SNAP and TANF Are Both Crucial to Protecting People’s Health and Wellbeing
As Massachusetts anti-hunger and anti-poverty organizations, we know that poverty and hunger are inextricably linked. SNAP food benefits and TANF cash benefits are both critical anti-poverty programs. We urge our delegation to do everything in your power to protect both SNAP and TANF from any cuts in debt ceiling negotiations.