Thank you for taking action to Improve the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children Program (EAEDC)

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September 18, 2019

Hello!

Just a quick update to say thank you to everyone who joined us at the State House yesterday for the important bill hearing in which the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs heard testimony on An Act relative to assisting elders and people with disabilities in the Commonwealth , House Bill 621 / Senate Bill 356 . As you may remember, this bill seeks to improve the state's Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children cash assistance program (EAEDC).

We have posted copies of testimonies and materials submitted to the committee on the EAEDC action page , including moving testimony from Renata, a current EAEDC program participant .

It's not too late to submit your own written testimony to the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, chaired by Representative Ruth Balser and Senator Pat Jehlen . You can see the sample testimonies on the EAEDC action page to help you craft your own, or reach out to us, and we can help you one-on-one with your testimony.

Thanks for your collaboration!

With gratitude,

Kelly and Marwa

Kelly Turley

Associate Director

kelly@mahomeless.org

781-595-7570 x17

Marwa Sayed

Community Organizer/Legislative Advocate

marwa@mahomeless.org

781-595-7570 x36

What is EAEDC?

The Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program (EAEDC), is a state-funded cash assistance and benefits program providing support to over 19,000 extremely low-income individuals. The program is administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA).

What would An Act Relative to Assisting Elders and People with Disabilities in the Commonwealth, House Bill 621/Senate Bill 356, do?

This bill, filed by Representative Jim O'Day and Senator Pat Jehlen , would:

Increase the EAEDC grant levels to match DTA grant levels for households of the same size that are participating in the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (TAFDC)
Update state statute to reflect the removal of the homelessness penalty for individuals experiencing homelessness (removed via FY'19 and FY'20 state budget language)
Increase the allowable personal asset limit from $250 to $2,500
Create an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for EAEDC program participants