ADVISORY: State Legislators, Advocates to Hold Press Conference in Support of Legislation Expanding Non-English Language State Resources
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Alex Psilakis
apsilakis@melwoodglobal.com
(508) 641-9761
BOSTON, MA – A coalition of policymakers, immigrant rights advocates, and directly-impacted individuals will host a press conference next Wednesday to advocate for the expansion of non-English language resources in the state’s public-facing state agencies: a move that would empower hundreds of thousands of limited English proficient speakers in Massachusetts.
Bills Filed to Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty By 2024 – Campaign Launch Event January 26
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Christine Dunn, Seven Letter
christine@sevenletter.com
617.646.1044
BOSTON, MA (January 18, 2023) – The Lift Our Kids Coalition today announced that Representative Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge) and Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett) have accelerated the timetable for lifting kids out of Deep Poverty with the filing of House and Senate bills (HD 507, SD 501) at the start of the 2023-2024 legislative session. A launch event will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 2:00 PM in the State House, Room 428.
MLRI Applauds Congressional Action to Replace Stolen SNAP Benefits and Improve EBT Protections for Low-Income Households
Boston MA (December 21, 2022) – Thousands of low-income households across the nation have had their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps) benefits stolen by criminals who use a “skimming” device to capture the households’ account information. Most states, including Massachusetts, have refused to replace the stolen benefits because the federal government would not cover the cost of replacement. In November 2022, MLRI filed a class action lawsuit challenging the state’s refusal to replace benefits stolen through no fault of the household.
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Class Action Lawsuit Seeks Restoration of Stolen SNAP Food Benefits
Thousands of Low-Income Massachusetts SNAP Families Victimized by Theft Seek Justice
BOSTON, MA (November 4, 2022)– The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute filed a class action lawsuit today on behalf of thousands of low-income families whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits were stolen from their accounts. The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), which administers SNAP in Massachusetts, has refused to restore the stolen benefits on the ground that the federal U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which usually pays for SNAP benefits, will not cover the cost.
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, and Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association, Along with 160+ Organizations, Urge the Baker Administration to Change Harmful RAFT Requirement
For Immediate Release: October 18, 2022
Contact: Christine Dunn
christine@sevenletter.com | 617.646.1044
New rules in rental assistance program will increase evictions, loss of housing and homelessness
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, and Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association, together with over 160 organizations and elected officials across the state, sent a letter to Massachusetts legislative leaders, legislators, and the Baker Administration, requesting the removal of a new, harmful requirement in the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. The requirement, effective August 1, 2022, is preventing qualified households from accessing needed benefits which is prompting preventable evictions, forcing households to fall further behind in rent, and putting them at greater risk of homelessness.
Advocacy Groups Praise the Biden Administration for Protecting Access to Services for Immigrants
Media Contact:
Laura Giordano
Cell: 774-214-6410
lgiordano@melwoodglobal.com
BOSTON – Representatives from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), Health Care For All (HCFA) and Health Law Advocates (HLA) have come together to support the Biden Administration’s move to update the federal Public Charge rule, which will ensure that immigrants seeking green cards can access public benefits they are entitled to without fear of immigration consequences.
MLRI Thanks Congressional Leaders for Support of Ukrainian Refugees
For Immediate Release: May 25, 2022
Contact: Meaghan Hohl
Meaghan@sevenletter.com | (617) 448-6973
Boston, MA – Since February 24th, thousands of Ukrainian migrants have entered the United States fleeing the horrific attacks on their homeland by the Russian government. The majority of those who made it to the US border have been granted an immigration status known as Humanitarian Parole, yet their Parole status did not qualify them for federal needs-based benefits to help support them as they transition to life in the United States.
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute to host Legislative Briefing for MLRI Report on Child Welfare System
For Immediate Release: May 5, 2022
Contact: Meaghan Hohl
Meaghan@sevenletter.com | (617) 448-6973
Virtual event to be hosted Rep. Adrian Madaro (D-Boston)
Boston, MA (May 5, 2022) – Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) today announced that it will be hosting a legislative briefing on Monday, May 9th at 3:00 pm. The briefing, hosted by Representative Adrian Madaro (D-Boston), will focus on the findings of an MLRI report entitled: Family Voices: Insights about prevention services from families and youth directly affected by the Massachusetts Child Welfare System.