State Actions

The COVID-19 crisis is affecting every sector of human services—from permanent supportive housing to afterschool programs, mental health, and everything in between. Here in New England, we are tracking relief efforts at the state level to help children, workers, and families weather the losses from this pandemic and cover their basic needs.

ACTION ALERT: Pass the Debt Collection Fairness Act (H.4694/S.2734)

Massachusetts residents need robust protections to help weather the financial impacts of this crisis and beyond. Urge your state officials to pass H.4694/S.2734. The DCFA is a revenue-neutral way to support all consumers and the local economy.

ADVOCACY UPDATE: State Policy Priorities

We are also advocating for a number of other critical issues at the state level, including:

• Stronger protections for our immigrant neighbors
• Expanded emergency paid sick time for all employees
• Short-term relief for families in deep poverty
• Emergency funding for housing stability and rent assistance programs
• Increased support for homelessness prevention, especially for families and young adults
• Additional state investments in our local food pantries and food access organizations
• An equity-focused re-opening plan focused on supporting working parents and families
• A whole-family (two-generational) pilot program to support the needs of vulnerable parents and children
• Extending the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program, a critical lifeline for economic development
• Expanding community-based mental health services and social and emotional learning (SEL) supports

Federal Actions

Congress is working to negotiate the next COVID-19 relief package. Join us today in urging our Congressional members to stand up for working families across the region.

ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to fund child care

Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representative today, and urge them to prioritize an infusion of $50 billion for the child care sector.

ADVOCACY UPDATE: Federal Policy Priorities

We are also advancing several federal policy issues to help create positive, lasting change for people and communities in need. These asks include:

• Increased financial relief for nonprofits and small businesses
• Expanding and making permanent the new non-itemizer charitable deduction
• Temporarily increasing the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) payments by 14%, to help meet a surge in enrollment and support state budget shortfalls
• Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) to reach more working individuals and families
• Increasing the basic SNAP benefit level by 15%, to ensure that families can keep food on the table
• An emergency appropriation of $110 million for 211, to help manage increased call volume from people looking for services and supports related to COVID-19
• An emergency appropriation of $60 million for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program