EMPath and Exchange Member USES Partner to Advocate for Raising Cash Grants

In February, EMPath and Exchange member United South End Settlements (USES), both members of the Lift Our Kids Coalition, teamed up to urge legislators to raise cash assistance grants in the Massachusetts state budget. In MA, two programs – Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) – provide families with cash assistance to help meet their needs. However, grants are far too low – not even HALF the Federal Poverty Level – and haven’t been adjusted for inflation. One of EMPath’s policy priorities is to raise these grants by 20%.

EMPath and USES met with many legislators and their staff and asked them to include the increase in their priorities. Impacted families joined visits to share their stories. Many said they are often forced to make impossible choices because of the little resources they have – for example, one parent shared that she was behind on rent because she needed to use the money to get glasses for her son. Families highlighted how the grants are inadequate and don’t cover their bills or expenses, especially with recent inflation and the extremely high cost of living in MA..   

We’re so glad USES was able to partner with us for this advocacy effort and look forward to more work together in the future! The more voices we have, the more powerful we are. If your organization is in MA and works on state policy around housing, child care, access to benefits, we’d love to partner with you! Reach out to EMPath Director of Advocacy Chelsea Sedani at [email protected] so we can raise our voices together.