Read the latest MASSCAP news including network and agency news, policy and program updates, and opinion and advocacy pieces.
· Earned Income Tax Awareness Day ·
Today the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) along with the 23 Community Action Agencies in the state were joined by Congressman Richard Neal, and Senator Jo Comerford, Representative Natalie Blais among others in kicking off this year’s tax season by launching the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) as well as recognizing the importance of accessing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
A Focus on Fuel Assistance and Weatherization
MASSCAP, along with Action Inc., the network of Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Energy Directors Association (MEDA), will launch its annual statewide awareness campaign to ensure that vulnerable Massachusetts families are able to keep safe, warm and healthy this winter.
Where: Livestream on MASSCAP YouTube Channel
When: October 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
SPEAKERS:
Senator Bruce Tarr
Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken
Peggy Hegarty-Steck, Executive Director, Action Inc.
MASSCAP and Boston Tax Coalition Launch Pilot
Preparing and filing tax returns bring everyone stress annually, especially those living with low incomes, and especially during a time of crisis when it is harder to access services.
Affirming our Core Values
Community Action has always stood for and advanced the promise of equal opportunity for all. The horrific death of George Floyd this past week brings into sharp focus how far we have to go as a society to address the social and economic inequality that persist as historic impediments to the kind of fair, open, just, and inclusive country that fosters belonging not exclusion, that we aspire to be.
Finding Innovative Ways to Continue to Serve Both New and Existing Families
Visit masscap.org to find your local Community Action Agency
The pandemic is affecting our lives in profound and unexpected ways.
Check out our NEW video series: Service & Recovery in the time of COVID-19
Updated 4/7/20
The pandemic is affecting our lives in profound and unexpected ways.
Thousands of Households To Be Helped Immediately
On behalf of thousands of vulnerable households struggling with their energy burden across the Commonwealth, we thank Chairman Michlewitz and the House Ways and Means Committee for drafting a supplemental budget that includes $15M for Fuel Assistance.
Thousands of Households Have Run Out of Home Heating Oil
Advocates Call for Formal Federal/State Partnership
In response to a second consecutive reduction in federal fuel assistance resources legislators in the Senate led by Senators Hinds and Tarr, and in the House, led by Representatives Mark and Wong, joined last week by more than half of their colleagues, urged budget writers in both chambers to include $15 million for fuel assistance in the FY20 Supplemental Budget.
A Partnership with The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
During MASSCAP’s annual public policy briefing earlier this week at the State House, READYGO, a new early education and care workforce development initiative made possible through The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts (THFCM), was announced.
As Reported by Chris Lisinski, State House News:
Additional $15M In New State Heating Aid Sought
Thousands of Massachusetts families risk running out of heating oil this winter without additional assistance from the state, an advocate warned Wednesday as lawmakers began pushing for new funding to augment federal aid.
Earned Income Tax Awareness Day · Celebrating 50 years of VITA
Today the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) along with the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC) and the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) were joined by Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Marjorie Decker, Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, and the Deputy Treasurer Alayna Van Tassel among others in kicking off this year’s tax season by launching the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) and celebrating 50 years of this critical program as well as recognizing the importance of accessing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
A Focus on Fuel Assistance and Weatherization
MASSCAP, along with LEO Inc., the network of Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Energy Directors Association (MEDA), will launch its annual statewide awareness campaign to ensure that vulnerable Massachusetts families are able to keep safe, warm and healthy this winter.
Effective programs that help families to make ends meet, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, SNAP, fuel assistance, school lunches, Head Start, and Social Security cut the number of people in Massachusetts living in poverty by almost half and reduce the number of children living in poverty by more than half, according to a new report on poverty called “Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward Together.” The report was commissioned by the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) and written by Nancy Wagman, Kids Count Director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget).
MASSCAP Calls for Its Reversal
Is it possible to succeed as a legal immigrant if you are faced with a regulation designed to cause you to fail?
One Holyoke family is now finally able to make the down payment on their first home. This family with 2 young children and 2 working parents who have been saving for some time left the Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site smiling.
We very much appreciate and are grateful to our elected officials – our legislators and the governor – for being so responsive and sensitive to the needs of our vulnerable friends and neighbors living with low-incomes and struggling with high energy burdens which are a drain on their limited resources and threaten their health and safety.
As Reported by Crystal Haynes, Boston 25 News:
BOSTON – Families living on tight budgets are facing another tough week with brutal wind chills and snow in the forecast.
As Reported by Kaitlyn Budoin and Michael P. Norton/ State House News Service:
Community action groups often associated with getting heating assistance to people who need it want the Legislature to give them a broader mission that reflects their efforts in areas like food assistance and financial literacy.
Thousands of Households Have Run Out of Home Heating Oil
Advocates have urged the Governor to provide $30M in supplemental Fuel Assistance Resources to meet the immediate need of vulnerable households across the Commonwealth to stay safe and warm this winter.
Thousands of Households Have Run Out of Home Heating Oil
With bitter temperatures gripping the nation including New England, there is serious concern for the health and well-bring of low-income households – especially those that heat with oil.
Earned Income Tax Awareness Day
The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) and the Montachusett Opportunity Council (MOC) today were joined by Senator Dean Tran (Worcester and Middlesex), Representative Stephan Hay (3rd Worcester), Representative Natalie Higgins (4th Worcester, Fitchburg Mayor Stephen Dinatale, Everett Handford, State Outreach Director & Regional Director, U.S.
As Reported by Paula J. Owen, The Worcester Telegram:
With all the benefits the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) brings to families, if EITC were a drug, it would be available in every pharmacy across the state, says Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, executive director of Children’s Healthwatch.
Households Will Run Out of Home Heating Oil by end of January
The severe winter that we knew was coming is now here.
As Reported by Dick Lindsay, The Berkshire Eagle:
Gov. Charlie Baker should kick in $30 million in state money to help struggling households pay their heating bills this winter.
As reported by Haven Orecchio-Egresitz, The Berkshire Eagle:
WILLIAMSTOWN —When State Rep. Paul Mark was 12-years-old, his father was laid off on Christmas Eve.
As published on Item Live, powered by Daily News:
At Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO), our work is about people and relationships.
Federal Allocation Reduced by $11 million
Households Will Run Out of Home Heating Oil by end of January
The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) held a press conference this morning on the steps of the State House in order to continue to urge Governor Charlie Baker and members of the Massachusetts legislature to include $30 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the next FY 19 Supplemental Budget.
Association Requests $30 Million in the FY 19 Supplemental Budget to Head Off Public Health, Safety Crisis
The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) is urging Governor Charlie Baker and members of the Massachusetts legislature to include $30 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the next FY 19 Supplemental Budget.
As Reported by Scott Stafford, The Berkshire Eagle:
With the winter season bearing down on the Berkshires, the federal allotment that provides heating aid for lower income families has been cut by more than $11 million from last year’s allocation.
