COVID-19 Benefits/Health Services Resource Information
See below to find out relevant information and resources in regards to Benefits and Health Services.
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the Benefits Unit is accepting intakes for those claimants seeking legal assistance with the denial or termination of their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on disability.
Local Social Security offices have reopened and are offering more in-person appointments as well as in-person service for people without an appointment. Please visit the Social Security & Coronavirus webpage to get updates on the latest developments, including how to get help from the Social Security Administration by phone, online, and in-person.
If a claimant needs to file an appeal (generally within 60 days of their last denial) they can call the local SSA office and file an appeal telephonically. They may have to wait for a telephone appointment, but they should make contact at the earliest date to preserve their appeal period. Claimants have the option of having telephone or video hearings for their cases. The Social Security Administration has started holding in-person hearings for certain cases.
The Benefits Unit is available to field questions from claimants regarding their SSDI/SSI benefits in the event the claimant needs more information.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
How to apply for UI?
You can file a claim for unemployment benefits with the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)’s UI Online. For more information on how to file a claim online, visit https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-unemployment-benefits. Applying through UI Online is the fastest way to get UI benefits. UI Online is an English-only system.
You can also apply for unemployment benefits by telephone by calling 617-626-6800 or 877-626-6800 outside the 617 area code. There are dedicated phone lines for individuals who speak Spanish and Portuguese.
Online Tool for Spanish translation assistance on how to apply for UI?
Pioneer Valley Workers Center has created an online tool that assists in the translation of each page of the application by providing explanation bubbles (Pioneer Valley Workers Center ha creado una herramienta en línea que ayuda en la traducción de cada página de la aplicación al proporcionar burbujas de explicación)
For additional resources and information on where to get help go to: www.masslegalhelp.org/covid-19/ui
Know Your Leave and Benefits Rights in the Workplace:
MASSHEALTH
For information on MassHealth coverage during Covid, see: https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/masshealths-may-2021-changes-its-covid-continuous-coverage-protections
For current Covid-19 Related Changes Affecting MassHealth, Health Connector, and Health Safety Net, visit here.