reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 118 § 4a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 4a - Aid to Dependent Children During Absence of Parents or Children From Commonwealth; Reciprocal Agreements

Section 4A. Any parent receiving aid under this chapter, or any child for whose bringing up such aid is furnished, may be absent from the commonwealth on visit without having such aid suspended. Such parent, before his departure or the departure of the child from the commonwealth and following return thereto, shall notify the department. The department may provide by rules or regulations for the continuation of such aid during such period as it may deem proper with respect to cases where the suspension of such aid because of absence from the commonwealth would result in undue hardship or be inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter.  The department may also provide by rules and regulations for the payment of aid under this chapter for a parent and child or children who have moved permanently from the commonwealth to another state, so as to continue said aid until such time as may be reasonably necessary for such parent to meet requirements for receiving similar aid from such other state; provided, that after the expiration of a period of three months' residence in such other state, the amount of such aid shall not exceed the amount of aid that the parent would receive from such other state if eligible therefor; and provided, further, that such aid shall be granted only when reciprocal agreements are in effect between this commonwealth and said state under section fourteen of chapter eighteen.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 4b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 4b - New Chardon Street Shelter; Continued Assistance for Eligible Families; Sliding Scale System of Fees

Section 4B. The department shall continue to provide assistance to families who are otherwise eligible for such assistance under the provisions of section two and who are temporarily making their residence at the New Chardon street shelter in the city of Boston administered by the department of children and families. Said department of children and families is further authorized and directed to establish a sliding scale system of fees for the provision of temporary housing services at the New Chardon street shelter in said city of Boston. The fee under such system for a family receiving benefits under said section two shall not exceed the food and shelter component for such benefits as established by the department of transitional assistance.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 5 - Reports of Department

Section 5. The department shall, in addition to its annual report, make such reports to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under the Federal Social Security Act, as amended, as may be necessary to secure to the commonwealth the benefits of said act.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 9 - Eligibility to Receive Veterans' Benefits; Option; Waiver

Section 9. If an application for aid under this chapter is affected by the eligibility of the applicant to receive benefits under chapter one hundred and fifteen, the applicant shall be entitled to exercise such options and execute such waivers as may be necessary to receive the aid which he seeks.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 10 - Exemption From Trustee Process; Assignment; False Statement or Fraud

Section 10. Aid hereunder shall not be subject to trustee process and no assignment thereof shall be valid. No applicant for aid hereunder, who knowingly makes any false statement, or seeks to perpetrate any fraud or deception, in or relative to his application for such aid, shall be granted any aid hereunder upon such application.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 11 - Institutions Furnishing Care; Application for Aid; Payment

Section 11. If a parent or dependent child requests care at an institution, as defined in section two of chapter one hundred and eighteen E, the institution furnishing such care may initiate an application on behalf of the parent or dependent child to the department and the department shall accept the application and act thereon. Such institution shall be entitled to notice, hearing and right of appeal in the same manner as an applicant or recipient, as provided in section eight.  Payment for such care shall be made, to the extent allowed by rules and regulations of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, if an applicant dies before approval of his application. Payment for such medical care and hospitalization, including nursing home care, shall be paid, subject to the rules and regulations of the department and the rules and regulations of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, for a reasonable period not to exceed thirty days prior to the date of application on account of said services actually rendered.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 12 - Temporary Absences From Commonwealth; Presumption of Abandonment of Residency and Eligibility for Assistance

Section 12. A temporary absence from the commonwealth which exceeds 30 calendar days or 90 days in aggregate over the course of a calendar year shall create a rebuttable presumption that Massachusetts residency has been abandoned by a recipient of cash assistance under transitional aid to families with dependent children and that the recipient is no longer eligible for assistance. The department shall promulgate regulations in accordance with this section, including, but not limited to, the process by which the temporary absence shall be determined.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 13 - Job Search Requirements for Non-Exempt Adult Applicants for Assistance; Submission of Proof of Initial Job Search and Weekly Reaffirmation

Section 13. (a) During the initial qualification process for full cash assistance under transitional aid to families with dependent children, all adult applicants who are not exempt from the work requirement shall be required to conduct an initial job search unless the applicant has good cause for not participating as determined by the department which may include disability; provided further, that an applicant shall not be disqualified from receiving temporary assistance during the cash assistance eligibility determination process.  (b) The department shall inform all applicants required to conduct an initial job search of available local job placement service providers. Applicants shall provide evidence of this search by returning to the department a list of the potential employers contacted recently, the date of contact and the name and telephone number of the person with whom the applicant spoke, to the extent feasible. All initial job search documentation shall be signed by the applicant under the penalties of perjury. The number of potential employers to be contacted by the applicant shall be determined by the department. An applicant shall provide the information prior to the applicant's case approval. The submission to the department of proof of job search activities issued by a one-stop career center within the department of career services shall satisfy the requirements of this subsection. An applicant who fails to provide this information within 60 days of filing the application shall be determined to be ineligible. The department shall promulgate regulations in accordance with this subsection.  (c) The department shall require adult recipients, who are meeting their work requirement through a job search under the pathways to self-sufficiency program established pursuant to section 3C, to provide, on a weekly basis, evidence of job searches by returning to the department a list of the employers contacted, the date of contact and the name and telephone number of the person with whom the applicant spoke, to the extent feasible. The requirements of this subsection shall be deemed satisfied upon submission to the department of proof of job search activities issued by a one-stop career center within the department of career services. The department shall terminate cash assistance under transitional aid to families with dependent children for a recipient who fails to provide such accurate information; provided, however, that the department shall not terminate the cash assistance provided to the recipient's dependent children. The department shall promulgate regulations in accordance with this subsection.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 14 - Benefit Period for Individuals Who Are Part of a 2 Parent Assistance Unit

Section 14. The department shall not calculate a separate 60 month benefit period for an individual who receives aid under transitional aid to families with dependent children if the individual is part of a 2 parent assistance unit. The department shall promulgate regulations in accordance with this section.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 15 - Economic Independence Goals; Demonstration of Good Faith Attempt to Meet Goals as Condition of Additional Benefits or Extension

Section 15. The department shall develop economic independence goals for all recipients of cash assistance under transitional aid to families with dependent children to be completed during the recipient's first 24 month period of receiving benefits. The economic independence goals shall assist a recipient in determining a path through which the recipient may become self-sufficient. Recipients who re-apply for benefits at any time after the first 24 month period shall demonstrate a good faith attempt to meet their goals prior to receiving additional benefits or an extension of benefits. Recipients who fail to demonstrate a good faith attempt to meet all of their goals shall not receive additional benefits or an extension of benefits; provided, however that this section shall not prohibit a recipient from receiving benefits on behalf of a dependent child.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 16 - Economic Independence Accounts

Section 16. (a) The department shall develop a savings program that allows recipients of cash assistance under transitional aid to families with dependent children to accumulate assets outside of the asset limit in savings accounts, called economic independence accounts. The economic independence accounts shall be used to help recipients save for the first and last month of rent, a security deposit, costs related to education or training or any other expense that the department determines will aid a recipient in transitioning off of benefits, which may include health care costs or debt reduction. The economic independence accounts shall not be included as a countable asset under 106 CMR 204.120.  (b) For recipients of cash assistance under transitional aid to families with dependent children who elect to participate in the savings program, the department shall require a designated amount of a recipient's cash assistance to be held in an escrow account for the recipient until the recipient is no longer eligible or in need of benefits; provided further, that the department shall allow a recipient to deposit additional funds to the account. While a recipient is receiving benefits, funds in the economic independence account shall only be withdrawn for a department approved purpose. If a recipient, who is currently receiving benefits, uses funds from an economic independence account for any purpose other than a department approved purpose, the department shall reduce the recipient's monthly cash assistance until the cumulative reductions are equal to the amount used for a non-allowable purpose. The department shall promulgate regulations in accordance with this section; provided that the commissioner shall submit any proposed regulations to the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities and the house and senate committees on ways and means at least 30 days before their adoption by the department.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 17 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 17 - Proof of Income and Assets for Unverified Applicants

Section 17. The department shall require unverified applicants for cash assistance for a dependent under transitional aid to families with dependent children to provide proof of income and assets. For the purposes of this section, an unverified applicant shall mean an applicant who has not provided the required information about citizenship or immigration status.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 18 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 18 - Education or Training Activities for Purposes of Meeting Work Requirement

Section 18. Notwithstanding 106 CMR 203.400(A)(2)(i) or any general or special law to the contrary, an education or training activity for the purpose of meeting the work requirement shall be defined as any 4–year degree granting higher education institution, community college or certificate program, not to exceed 24 months, or a vocational education program, not to exceed 12 months. If the education or training activity is less than the hours per week required to meet the work requirement, the recipient shall perform other work program activities to total the required hours per week.
MA Gen L ch 118 § 19 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118 - Aid to Families With Dependent Children|Section 19 - Eligibility of Pregnant Teens to Receive Cash or Other Assistance

Section 19. A pregnant teen who meets all other eligibility requirements shall be eligible to live in a teen parent shelter or participate in a teen living program during such pregnant teen's entire pregnancy and shall be eligible to receive cash assistance under transitional aid to families with dependent children if the pregnant teen meets the school attendance requirements in 106 CMR 203.610 and 106 CMR 203.630.
MA Gen L ch 118a § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118a - Assistance to the Aged and Disabled|Section 1 - Financial Assistance Program to Aged and Disabled; State Payments Supplementary to Federal Benefits; Eligibility, Restriction; Standard Levels

Section 1. The department of transitional assistance, in this chapter called the department, shall administer a program of financial assistance for aged and disabled persons who reside within the commonwealth. Such assistance, which shall be called state supplementary payments, shall be based on need and granted in supplementation of benefits granted by the United States government to aged and disabled individuals, under the provisions of title XVI of the federal Social Security Act and amendments thereto, in this chapter called title XVI. Such assistance shall be granted to persons who, on account of age or disability, qualify for supplemental security income granted pursuant to title XVI and may, based on need, be granted to individuals who would, but for their income, be eligible for such supplemental security income.  The department shall establish, subject to the approval of the secretary of the executive office of human services, standard levels for state supplementary payments for the aged and disabled. Such payments may vary by category, by marital status, and by living arrangements to the extent allowed by title XVI and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  No assistance under this section shall be granted to an applicant who, at any time within two years immediately prior to the filing of an application for such assistance, has made an assignment or transfer or who has mortgaged or otherwise encumbered property so as to render himself eligible for such assistance.  No person receiving assistance under this section shall be prohibited from receiving benefits under the federal Food Stamp Act solely because of his status as a recipient of such assistance.
MA Gen L ch 118a § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118a - Assistance to the Aged and Disabled|Section 2 - State Supplementary Payments; Annual Increase Levels; Determination; Limitation

Section 2. Effective July first of every year, the level of any state supplementary payment authorized by section one plus the level of federal supplemental security income in effect at such time shall be increased, subject to appropriation, by a percentage amount equal to the percentage rise in the United States Consumer Price Index for January first of that year over the level of said Index for January first of the previous year plus such additional percentage amount as is recommended annually by the department and appropriated by the general court. In determining said additional percentage amount, consideration shall be given to the goal of reaching, within a reasonable time, a total income level equal to or consistent with the current budget at the intermediate level of living for a retired couple established by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the metropolitan Boston area.  If, on January first of any year, the level of any state supplementary payment, taking into account the federal supplemental security income benefits, is equal to or exceeds the annual budget at the intermediate level of living for a retired couple as most recently established by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the metropolitan Boston area, or, taking into account variances in category, marital status and living arrangements as established by the department, is not inconsistent with said annual budget, the increase granted on July first next following shall be limited to said percentage rise in said Index.
MA Gen L ch 118a § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118a - Assistance to the Aged and Disabled|Section 3 - Federal Agreement; Administration of Program

Section 3. The commissioner of transitional assistance shall enter into an agreement with the Social Security Administration regarding the administration of the program of state supplementary payments authorized in section 1. This agreement shall contain all of the requirements for, and limitations and qualifications on, state supplementary payments which Title XVI or regulations adopted thereunder make necessary. At the option of the commissioner, this agreement may provide for either state or federal administration of the program. Administration of the program by the commonwealth may be delegated to another governmental entity.
MA Gen L ch 118a § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118a - Assistance to the Aged and Disabled|Section 4 - Applications; Eligibility for Assistance; Determination

Section 4. An application to the Social Security Administration for supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI shall also be considered an application for state supplementary payment for the category of assistance for which the application is filed. Eligibility for any category of assistance of an individual or couple shall be determined in accordance with federal law. Unless the commissioner of transitional assistance elects federal administration of the state supplementary payment program, procedures related to notices, appeals and hearings regarding this program shall be determined in accordance with state law.
MA Gen L ch 118a § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118a - Assistance to the Aged and Disabled|Section 5 - Advancements to Social Security Administration

Section 5. If the commissioner of transitional assistance elects federal administration of state supplementary payments, there shall be advanced from the state treasury to the Social Security Administration each month an amount equal to the estimated payments authorized for that month.
MA Gen L ch 118a § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118a - Assistance to the Aged and Disabled|Section 6 - Disclosure or Use of Information Restricted

Section 6. No disclosure or use of information concerning applicants or recipients of assistance under this chapter shall be made by the department except for purposes directly connected to the administration of this chapter.
MA Gen L ch 118a § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118a - Assistance to the Aged and Disabled|Section 7 - Program of Social Services; Emergency Grants; Funeral and Burial Costs

Section 7. The department shall provide to aged and disabled residents under this chapter a program of social services as set forth in section 2 of chapter 18. In addition to any other benefits authorized by this chapter, the department may provide to such residents grants of assistance in cases of fire, flood or other disaster. The department may pay a sum not exceeding $1,100 toward the funeral and final disposition of a recipient to a funeral establishment if there are insufficient resources to pay for the cost of such funeral and final disposition and if the total expense of the funeral and final disposition does not exceed $3,500. The commonwealth shall have the right of reimbursement from whatever resources may exist in the estate of the recipient.
MA Gen L ch 118a § 7a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118a - Assistance to the Aged and Disabled|Section 7a - Special Grants to Recipients Residing in Rest Homes

Section 7A. The department may provide to any recipient under this chapter who resides in a rest home which has a rate established pursuant to section thirty L of chapter seven a special grant whenever the aid provided under this chapter is insufficient to meet said rate established for such rest home. The department may pay such grant either to the recipient or to the rest home.
MA Gen L ch 118a § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 118a - Assistance to the Aged and Disabled|Section 8 - Rules and Regulations

Section 8. The department shall promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary or desirable for the administration of this chapter.