MLPB Digital Digest – Massachusetts

Headline: Cradles to Crayons, Horizons for Homeless Children, and Neighborhood Villages partnered together to create the Migrant Children Emergency Fund to help migrant children in the MA shelter system with essentials for the winter.

Last-reviewed: 12pm, Mar. 8, 2024

Headline: Governor’s Healey announces pardon for all adult Massachusetts state court misdemeanor convictions before March 13, 2024 for possession of marijuana. Most people will not need to take any action to have their criminal records updated.

Last-reviewed: Apr. 17, 2024

Headline: Regulations and policies for the Child Care Financial Assistance programs have been updated to help families. MA families can apply to the programs to help pay for child care and out-of-school time programs.

Last-reviewed: 12pm, Mar. 8, 2024

Headline: The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is currently aware of scams trying to target applicants for their UI online passwords.

Last-reviewed: Apr. 17, 2024

Headline: SNAP benefits are now available to immigrants with legal status who meet income requirements. These benefits will be retroactive to December 4, 2023 are currently funded through June 2024. Mixed status families who have a household member current receiving SNAP benefits should automatically receive additional benefits for newly eligible household members. 

Last-reviewed: 12pm, Mar. 8, 2024

Headline: Eligible Massachusetts residents can obtain a Standard (Class D or M) driver’s license, regardless of immigration status.  

Last-reviewed: Apr. 17, 2024

Headline: MassHealth members may be contacted by text, email, robocall and/or mail regarding their renewal or with other important information about their health coverage. Members should lookout for communications from MassHealth through April 1, 2024.

Last-reviewed: 12pm, Mar. 8, 2024

Headline: The Healey-Driscoll administration announced new requirements at state safety-net sites in an effort to accelerate families on a path to housing stability and respond to rising capacity constraints. HUD has a new resource to combat income source discrimination for families receiving vouchers.

Last-reviewed: 2pm, Apr. 3, 2024

Headline: MIRA has launched an Immigration Advocate Legal Helpline to provide community-based organizations with answers to the most commonly asked legal questions. The phone number is 508-293-1871.

Last-reviewed: 2pm, Apr. 3, 2024

Headline: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides housing protections for survivors of intimate partner violence.

Last-reviewed: 12pm, Mar. 8, 2024

Headline: The MTBA plans to implement reduced fares for low-income riders in the spring and summer. All MBTA services, including the bus, train, commuter rail, and The RIDE, will be half-priced for eligible commuters. 

Last-reviewed: 12pm, Mar. 8, 2024

Headline: The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal benefit that helps pay for internet service. Due to lack of funding, the program is likely to end in April. Enrollment for the program is now closed. 

Last-reviewed: 12pm, Mar. 8, 2024