As you are aware, during the pandemic extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been available each month to help families buy food (minimum of extra $95/month per household). Due to recent action by the federal government, these benefits are ending February 2023. This means that over 640,000 households in Massachusetts will receive their last extra federal SNAP payment next Thursday, March 2, 2023.

Help spread the word: join DTA’s Twitter Chat using hashtag #BoostYourSNAPMA Tuesday, February 28 at 2pm EST

Full tunnel closure will no longer occur May-September this year

Instead, full closure in 2023 July 5th-August 31st

Second full closure in 2024 July to August

The MBTA announced service changes for March on the Red, Mattapan, Orange, and Green Lines as well as the Haverhill and Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Lines.

Winter Customer Savings event in Everett on Tuesday, February 21st at the Everett Senior Center, 90 Chelsea Street.

The Health Connector will be hosting a free public webinar on Wednesday, February 15^th at 1 PM for those interested in learning more about Health Insurance Coverage Options for Massachusetts Individuals and Families through the Health Connector.

The webinar will cover the following topics:

• What is the Massachusetts Health Connector?
• Health and dental coverage types are available to individuals and families.
• Tips for estimating the cost of monthly premiums.
• How to get free help with this process through certified, local Navigators.

The COVID-19 RRR Grant will provide $5,000 grants to support volunteer programs across the Commonwealth as they continue to rebuild programming and bring back volunteers that were unable to serve during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 RRR Grants will support volunteer capacity-building initiatives for organizations and will be highlighted during National Volunteer Week 2023.

General Scope of Grant

MSA is offering COVID-19 RRR Grants to organizations that conduct a capacity-building initiative to enhance volunteer programming. Capacity-building initiatives should include activities that help the agency re-engage, re-energize, and/or recognize new and existing volunteers within their organization.

Submission Deadline

Proposals should be submitted via our online grants system by no later than 5:00pm Friday, February 10, 2023

Below are some links for virtual health and wellness programs from Mystic Valley Elder Services.

https://www.mves.org/mves-hosts-free-virtual-health-programs/

https://www.mves.org/state-and-local-officials-celebrate-new-mves-wellness-program/

“Request a Crash Report” will be unavailable to the public on Mass.gov/RMV between February 5 and February 21

More than 40 RMV transactions will continue to be available online