About one in six Massachusetts residents are waiting to hear when they will receive money through SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, this month and how much. The national aid program ran out of money over the weekend amid the government shutdown. This morning, in response to a court order, the Trump administration said it is sending states $4.65 billion from…
Rhondella Richardson: The struggle for civil rights boiled down is the fight for humanity and inclusion, both core to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s mission. Quincy Miller: In these times of great need, it’s upon each of us to do more even when we’ve done so much. Dr. Karl Reid: We start by building a more diverse and inclusive university….
Massachusetts regulators have launched a two-phase probe into energy bill volatility. They have started by scrutinizing delivery charges to improve transparency and help ratepayers understand costs. Amid the investigation into… by Michael Vyskocil Massachusetts regulators have launched a two-phase probe into energy bill volatility. They have started by scrutinizing delivery charges to improve transparency and help ratepayers understand costs. Amid…
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released $3.7 billion to states for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), of which Massachusetts will receive more than $146 million. ABCD is accepting and processing Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) applications for residents in Greater Boston and the Mystic Valley, and award letters are forthcoming. The maximum benefit for…
The winter moratorium on heating shut-offs is in place – current Low Income Discount Rate customers are protected from heat termination (BOSTON, MA) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released $3.7 billion to states for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), of which Massachusetts will receive more than $146 million. ABCD is accepting and processing…
BOSTON – A massive holiday toy drive in Boston is in need of help. Boston-based ABCD says it has received 7,000 requests for toys but only about 1,000 donations so far. ABCD says almost 28,000 Boston children, or 26 percent, are living in poverty in Boston. So for families making difficult financial decisions, gifts may be out of reach. Today,…
Mayor Michelle Wu announced that the Boston Tax Help Coalition (BTHC) has launched the 2026 tax season, offering free tax preparation for residents who earn $70,000 per year or less. Eligible residents can file safely while maximizing their refunds and credits at one of 35 tax help sites across Boston. The service is offered remotely and in-person, and interpretation is available in…
This Black History Month, the Globe is saluting people from Massachusetts who have made a difference. A large recreational complex. A community pool. And a boulevard winding through Lower Roxbury. The name of Melnea Agnes Cass, known as the “First Lady of Roxbury,” is emblazoned on public amenities across the neighborhood she called home, a testament to her legacy as…
No one should ever have to choose between feeding themselves and their pets. Yet for the 1.1 million Massachusetts’ residents whose budgets are affected by current events and changes in family food support, this hardship is a stark reality. Many of our family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues are experiencing food insecurity, leading to an increase in stress and serious…
As the price of everything from rent to eggs goes up, community organizations say more people need help heating their homes this winter. According to state numbers, first time applicants for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a federal program that provides financial aid for fuel, increased by 76% in Massachusetts compared to this time last year. … Sharon Scott-Chandler, president and CEO…