The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a new bill that would modernize the Federal Poverty Line, which hasn t been substantially updated since the 1960s. Many aid programs such as CalFresh, Head Start and Medi-Cal are pegged to the FPL - and raising the maximum people can make would help millions more low-income families qualify for aid. .
Winter is coming, and the annual statewide campaign to inform Massachusetts residents about available heating assistance is underway. Advocates for the program said the eligibility requirements are broad to ensure no family has to make the decision between keeping their house warm or covering other basic needs. Jeanne Costa, a resident of New Bedford, said heating assistance allowed her elderly mother to remain in her home as she aged. .
Legislation introduced in Massachusetts aims to reduce the racial wealth gap by creating a statewide "Baby Bonds" program. It is a publicly-funded, pooled trust fund for newborn children in low-income households without inherited wealth or opportunities to build it. Deb Goldberg, state treasurer, said the child can access the funds once they turn 18 to help them go to college, start a business or even buy a home. .
Massachusetts groups will be part of a new federal pilot program to help low-income families ensure they have the diapers they need to keep both babies and parents healthy. Studies show a lack of diapers for their babies as the top predictor of postpartum depression in new mothers, while 60% of American families report missing work or school when they cannot bring diapers to child care. Liz Berube, executive director of the group Citizens for Citizens, one of several Massachusetts agencies selected for the program, said the need for diaper assistance has been growing for years. .