The federally funded Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the first line of defense against hunger for thousands of Massachusetts residents.

Massachusetts continues to implement policy changes to increase SNAP participation and the value of the monthly benefit. However, individual households often struggle with getting their SNAP applications and recertifications approved at over-burdened local offices. Collecting all the required proofs can be overwhelming for an unrepresented household.

Some of the most challenging cases involve the rules for immigrant headed households, the number and type of proofs required, and how to determine if an elder/disabled or a working household got all the deductions to maximize benefits.

This training is designed for legal services and community advocates, lawyers in private practice, social and health services workers who work with seniors, persons with disabilities, low-wage workers, and immigrant households.

It begins with an overview of the federal Food Stamp/SNAP program, the major policy changes implemented in the past year, and then an in-depth look at the nuts and bolts of eligibility, benefits calculation, and appeal rights.

Training materials include the 2016 Food Stamp/SNAP Advocacy Guide: An Advocate's Guide to the Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Massachusetts.

Fees

Legal Services Attorneys and Non Lawyer Advocates ....$25
All Others ....$95

Faculty

• Patricia J. Baker, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Boston
• Victoria Negus, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Boston

For more information or to register, go to MCLE's website, www.mcle.org/product/catalog/code/2160099P01 

Note: When registering on MCLE website, be sure to select your program fee "Category" in the drop down menu. Click "Update" for adjusted course fee.