Community
Massachusetts lawmakers lift welfare cap
After multiple attempts, the Massachusetts legislature officially lifted a welfare cap called “cap on kids” today.
The Cap on Kids denied welfare benefits to children conceived while – or soon after – a family received benefits.
According to Mass Legal Services, 8,700 children were denied benefits through the cap.
On April 10, 2019, the Massachusetts House voted 155-1 to override Governor Baker’s attempt to block the repeal of the cap.
The Senate voted 37-3 today to override Baker.
Since the cap lift will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2019, families who were not receiving the extra payments will receive back benefits. The Administration has until September 1, 2019 to make sure that the children are included in the assistance grant and receive benefits back to January 1.
The cap that has been in place in Massachusetts was thought of as a way to discourage women on welfare from having additional children.
State Rep Marjorie Decker had this to say following the decision.
“The Senate just voted to override Governor Baker’s veto on lifting the family welfare cap. Congrats to the thousands of MA families and children struggling in poverty. Your resources will now be more equitable and based on need rather than birth order.”
15 other states currently have a cap on kids for welfare.
According to MLRI, the Coalition to Lift the Cap on Kids, comprised of 125 organizations and was led by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) and Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS).
“Today, with a final vote by the Senate, Massachusetts made the right decision for children and families by Lifting the Cap on Kids,” said Georgia Katsoulomitis, Executive Director, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. “Since its inception, MLRI has made it our mission to advocate on behalf of our most vulnerable population- for low-income individuals, families and communities. We have been proud to partner with Greater Boston Legal Services and join our coalition members to Lift the Cap on Kids.”
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Jim Andre
April 26, 2019 at 11:47 am
Massachusetts has laws, rules & regulations that are NOT set up in the best interest of the poor and elderly. Health insurance is a disaster. For example, I am a 65 year old retiree with multiple health problems which include COPD, coronary heart disease, and being tested positive for Lyme disease. Before retiring, I had a good health plan through Neighborhood Health Connector for a $46.00 monthly premium which provided good coverage for my doctor’s appointments and prescriptions. Upon turning 65 & collecting Social Security, I was knocked off that plan, and forced onto Medicare Part A & Part B, now costing me $136.00 a month, with hardly any coverage. Doctor co pays are now up to $115.00 per visit, and not even a percentage of my prescriptions are covered. I was on 5 medications, now down to 2 because I can’t afford all 5. I worked part time as a ticket agent for 12 years, and was recently layed off due to my job position being eliminated. Though bus co did not contest me collecting unemployment benefits, Unemployment made me wait 6 weeks before approving my benefits because they expect a 65 year old retiree with multiple health issues to seek full time work and attend career seminars. It seems as though the older you get the further to the cub they kick you.