The following was shared by Pat Baker (pbaker@mlri.org), Senior Policy Advocate at the MA Law Reform Institute.

The DTA shared the steps it is taking to improve access to the SNAP application interview.  Here are some updates and key advocacy steps:

Interview calls: SNAP applicants with a scheduled interview should receive an automated call from DTA on the date and time of the scheduled interview. (The interview is not a surprise call - DTA sends a notice, text, and makes a reminder call in advance of the interview call with the date/time of the scheduled interview.)

• After the applicant picks up, follow the directions to be connected to a worker. 
• DTA must try to do the interview on the date and time it is scheduled - this means making sure a live person can talk to the client at that time. 
• If the applicant is not connected to a worker within 5 minutes, please let us know and contact Sara Craven at the DTA Ombuds office about the case: sara.craven@mass.gov.   
• If the applicant cannot make the time of the scheduled interview call, before the date it is scheduled, they can reschedule the date/time on DTAConnect.
• In-person interviews: Remember, all SNAP applicants always have the right to go in person to a DTA local office for a face-face interview during regular business hours (8 AM -5 PM).
• Help when you can’t get through the DTA Assistance Line:  Here are MLRI’s Advocacy Tips for how SNAP applicants and recipients can get help from DTA. 
• Appeal for back benefits:  Households denied SNAP for lack of an interview should 1) reapply for SNAP ASAP and 2) file an appeal if they tried to reach DTA but could not get through. Here’s an MLRI Tool Kit, including the relevant SNAP rules, to help your clients get retroactive benefits if they were otherwise eligible. 

Immigrant Households and Benefits Eligibility

Yesterday USDA Secretary Rollins issued a letter to all Governors and a press release stating that states should “prevent illegal aliens from accessing Food Stamps.”  This is very misleading and may be intended to scare families. What you need to know: 1) Undocumented immigrants have never been eligible for SNAP. And, some legally present immigrants are not eligible for SNAP or have to wait until they have had their status for 5 years (restrictions included in the 1996 Welfare Reform Law, see NILC analysis). 2) Under federal and state laws, ineligible persons can apply for eligible household members - such as U.S. citizen children or legally present children. Please contact MLRI if you have questions or hear concerns from your community about access to benefits for eligible households.  

Nutrition & cash benefits: State legislative priorities

Thanks to everyone who shared updates on state legislative priorities.  Just a reminder that State Reps and Senators can continue to co-sponsor bills until the bill has both a hearing and is reported out of the standing Committee. Here’s the key nutrition and cash assistance bills we are tracking, with contact information for each bill. Please ask your State Senator and State Rep to join on as cosponsors of these important bills!  

FindYourFunds.org and tax credit resources - share with families!

Thank you to Children’s HealthWatch for sharing information about tax credits and FindYourFunds.org atTuesday’s Coalition meeting. Now is the time to connect families with no or low earnings in 2024 to the child and family credit of $440/eligible dependent! Visit FindYourFunds.org to learn more. Here are:

• Slides shared at Coalition.
• Here is sample language for newsletters and outreach.
• Here is the social media toolkit and flyers in 11 languages that promote the FYF website.