Budget Amendment ID: FY2023-S4-625

EHS 625

Common Application Portal

Messrs. DiDomenico and Velis, Ms. Rausch, Mr. Eldridge, Ms. Comerford, Ms. Chang-Diaz, Messrs. Tarr and Keenan, Ms. Jehlen, Messrs. Moore, Collins and Timilty, Ms. Moran, Mr. Brady, Ms. Gobi, Messrs. Lesser, Hinds and Feeney, Ms. Lovely, Messrs. Gomez and O'Connor and Ms. Creem moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 3 the following section:-

"Section 3A. Chapter 6A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 18Z the following section:- Section 18AA. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the executive office of health and human services and the executive office of housing and economic development, in coordination with the division of medical assistance, the department of transitional assistance, the department of early education and care, the executive office of education and the department of housing and community development, shall develop and implement a secure common application portal for individuals to simultaneously apply for state-administered needs-based benefits and services. The common application shall allow individuals the option to apply simultaneously for MassHealth coverage, the supplemental nutrition assistance program, income supports under chapter 117A and chapter 118, veterans’ services benefits under chapter 115, child care subsidies, housing subsidies, fuel assistance and other needs-based health care, nutrition and shelter benefits. The common application shall, with the consent of the applicant, allow the state agencies responsible for determining eligibility for the benefits requested to share relevant eligibility information and supporting documentation submitted by the applicant as needed to determine eligibility for other benefits."