Update 1/6/10
Great news on the SSI deeming proposal! Governor Patrick has reversed his 9C cut to the TAFDC line item.
PLEASE NOTE: OUR EVENT AT THE STATE HOUSE IS GOING FORWARD!
- We need to thank the Governor for reversing the cut
- We need to thank our legislative leaders for all of their work on this issue
- We need to set the stage for preserving the TAFDC program for the coming fiscal year (which begins July 1, 2010)
- We need to be sure the Governor and the Legislature preserve the TAFDC program fully for all families no matter how bad things get in FY 2011
- We need to work together on tax-expenditure reforms to increase state revenue to pay for essential government benefits and services
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND OUR EVENT TO PRESERVE TAFDC FOR FY 2011!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Nurses Hall, State House, Boston
11:00-12:00 Guest Speakers
12:00-1:00 State House visits
If you have time, please call the Governor's office now to thank him for reversing this cut: 617-725-4000 Please call your state legislators at 617-722-2000 if you asked for their help with this.
Urgent Call to Action:
Protect the Safety Net for Children of
Parents with Disabilities
The Administration has announced plans to slash already very low subsistence benefits for the most vulnerable children and families in the state. The cut -- scheduled to go into effect February 1st -- would eliminate or drastically reduce Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) benefits for children whose parents are too disabled to work.
For many of these children, the cut will result in homelessness, mid-year school transfers, inadequate nutrition, poor health, and learning and behavioral problems. This wholesale family destabilization will cost the Commonwealth much more in the long term than the $23 million the cut is projected to save.
Join us to advocate for children of disabled parents!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
11:00-12:00 Guest Speakers
12:00-1:00 State House Visits
State House, Boston
Nurses Hall, 2nd Floor
CALL TO ACTION!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
11:00-1:00
State House, Boston
Grand Staircase, 2nd Floor
TAFDC serves 50,000 families in Massachusetts, providing a subsistence benefit of $500, a month on average, which has only been increased by 10% since 1988, despite inflation of more than 90% during that time. Parents are required to work unless they are too disabled or caring for young children or a disabled family member. More than 9,000 families would lose all or most of their benefits under the Administration’s plan.
Call to Action Sponsors: Action for Boston Community Development, Boston Center for Independent Living, Catholic Charities of Boston, Catholic Charities of Springfield, Coalition Against Poverty, Coalition for Social Justice, Disability Policy Consortium, Greater Boston Legal Services, Homes for Families, Live Well Springfield, Mass. Coalition for the Homeless, Mass. Law Reform Institute, Mass. Welfare Rights Union, Metro-West Center for Independent Living, National Association of Social Workers/MA Chapter, Survivors, Inc.
Contact the Governor (617-725-4000). Urge him to reverse the TAFDC cut!
For more information, please contact: Elizabeth Toulan, GBLS (617-603-1626), Bill Henning, BCIL (617-338-6665) or Robyn Powell, DPC (617-542-3522). For accommodations requests, please contact: Bill Henning or Robyn Powell.