Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-304

GOV 304

Verification for Entitlement Programs

Messrs. Fattman and Tarr and Mrs. Dooner moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section:-

"SECTION X. Subsection B of section 2 of chapter 18 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following clause:-

(t) verify that an applicant for benefits through any transitional assistance financial assistance program administered by the department is a United States citizen or lawfully present alien prior to providing any benefits. The department shall register for the systematic alien verification for entitlements program established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and shall use said program to verify an applicant’s eligibility pursuant to this clause.

SECTION X. Section 3 of chapter 23B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(w) verify that an applicant for benefits through any housing program for low and moderate income families administered by the department is a United States citizen or lawfully present alien prior to providing any benefits. The department shall register for the systematic alien verification for entitlements program established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and shall use said program to verify an applicant’s eligibility pursuant to this paragraph.

SECTION X. Section 2 of chapter 111I of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

The department of public health shall verify that an applicant for benefits through the WIC program is a United States citizen or lawfully present alien prior to providing any benefits. The department shall register for the systematic alien verification for entitlements program established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and shall use said program to verify a beneficiary’s eligibility pursuant to this paragraph.

SECTION X. Section 9A of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

(17) The division shall verify that a beneficiary is a United States citizen or lawfully present alien prior to providing any medical benefits through MassHealth. The division shall register for the systematic alien verification for entitlements program established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and shall use said program to verify a beneficiary’s eligibility pursuant to this paragraph."