In accordance with COVID-19 (CoronaVirus) prevention efforts, the Work Without Limits Benefits Counseling and Administrative Employment Network (AEN) Ticket to Work teams are working remotely over the next several weeks.
We are available by way of email and phone. Please note we are able to respond more quickly to email.
Brian Forsythe, CWIC, Project Coordinator, Benefits Counseling
- Office Phone: 508-856-2513
- Cell Phone: 508-479-0906
- Read Brian's BLOG: COVID-19 Stimulus Payments and Public Benefits
Winnie Siano, CWIC, Project Coordinator, Benefits Counseling
- Office Phone: 508-856-8349
As always, we are here to serve you regarding your employment and public benefits questions.
Below please find information related to COVID-19 and various public benefit programs. We will keep this information updated as the situation evolves. Please check back frequently and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
COVID-19 Related Resources
MassHealth
Medicare Coverage
- What you need to know about coronavirus and medicare coverage
- Medicare Rights Center: Medicare Coverage and CoronaVirus
Social Security Administration's (SSA) and COVID-19
A Warning to the Public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19 or CoronaVirus-related office closures. Social Security will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed. For answers to Frequently Asked Questions click here.
- Services are available online through the secure and convenient website: www.socialsecurity.gov
- Contact your local office for critical service such as reinstatement of benefits
- Subscribe to receive alerts from SSA when information is added or changed. You also may follow SSA on Facebook and Twitter.
- SSA COVID-19 Updates
Food Assistance
- Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) COVID-19 Resources and Support
- What you need to know about extra emergency SNAP Benefits (English pdf) (Spanish pdf)
- Learn how to apply or check the status of your DTA benefits
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program Services Updates
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility Rules/Rights for College Students
- SNAP: Workers who lost hours or job due to COVID-19
- USDA, States Must Act Swiftly to Deliver Food Assistance Allowed by Families First Act
-
Project Bread & COVID-19: Hunger & Food Resources for Households
- ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Accounts: The Social Security Administration clarified that food is considered a “qualified disability expense” from an ABLE account. Those that own an ABLE account will be able to use their funds to purchase food.
- Massachusetts Military Support Foundation FOOD4VETS: Veterans, we welcome you to Gillette Stadium to receive two weeks worth of meals. Volunteers will staff two tractor trailers weekdays beginning Tuesday 3/31- Friday 4/10 from 10am-2pm.
Accommodations
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN): The ADA and Managing Reasonable Accommodation Requests from Employees with Disabilities in Response to COVID-19
Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Services
- Hotline for MassHealth members: call 1-844-422-6277 to be connected to home health services
Veterans
- Massachusetts Military Support Foundation FOOD4VETS: Veterans, we welcome you to Gillette Stadium to receive two weeks worth of meals. Volunteers will staff two tractor trailers weekdays beginning Tuesday 3/31- Friday 4/10 from 10am-2pm.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
- US Department of Labor: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Guidance
Unemployment
- Unemployment & COVID-19
- The Department of Unemployment Assistance is holding virtual town halls, during which people can ask questions via chat. To learn more click here.
- How to File a New Unemployment Claim Online
- Unemployment Insurance and COVID-19
Employment
- Disability:IN - COVID-19 Response Series
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the coronavirus
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act and COVID-19
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN): The ADA at Work: Considerations for COVID-19
Mental Health
- 7 Things to Do If Social Distancing Is Triggering Your Depression
- Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health and Well-being
- MA Department of Public Health (DPH): Coping with Stress and Fear from COVID-19
Public Benefits, Finances & Income Taxes
- Work Without Limits BLOG: COVID-19 Stimulus Payments and Public Benefits
-
Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC): What It Is and How to Qualify in 2019-2020
- Promoting Financial Health and Resiliency for People with Disabilities and their Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Transportation
The following service changes have been made in consultation with The Riders’ Transportation Access Group, the Boston Center for Independent Living, and the Massachusetts Senior Action Council:
- Shared trips have been eliminated. RIDE customers can still bring a personal care attendant or guest on their trip.
- The RIDE Eligibility Center (TREC) is closed for in-person appointments until further notice.
- Booking windows have been adjusted. Starting March 28, RIDE customers will need to book trips 1 – 3 days in advance.
- Customers with subscriptions trips will be contacted by TRAC & to confirm those trips are still required.
- The RIDE will work to eliminate transfer trips to reduce customer interaction with multiple drivers.
- All RIDE vehicles are cleaned and disinfected every 24 hours.
- Routematch Software transition is delayed. An updated timeline will be shared on the website when it is available.
- For more information visit The RIDE Paratransit Service
- MBTA.com/covid19
More COVID-19 Resources
- Mass.gov updates.
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
- Emergency Childcare Site
- Complete List of Emergency Orders & Guidance
- Multiple Language COVID-19 Printable Resources
- MA Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) has created a visual tool to help hospital staff, medical personnel, first responders, and service providers communicate with hard of hearing and Deaf individuals and patients during this unprecedented crisis. Download the visual tool.
