Appropriated Projects

In addition to providing General Support funding for legal services programs, MLAC funds three projects with funds set aside by the legislature in the state budget.  The projects are run by the staff of legal services programs in local offices around the state.  The projects and their funding are listed below:


Battered Women's Legal Assistance Project

The Battered Women's Legal Assistance Project (BWLAP) offers comprehensive civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence to help them rebuild their lives safe from abuse. BWLAP advocates handle complex family law cases, including child custody and visitation, paternity, child support enforcement and divorce. They also assist battered women with other legal issues arising from domestic violence, such as securing housing, health coverage and domestic violence-based immigration status.

In the fiscal year 2006, The Battered Women's Legal Assistance Project assisted 2750 domestic violence victims, helping them and their children to build lives free from abuse.

The following legal services programs provide BWLAP services:


Disability Benefits Project

The Disability Benefits Project (DBP) was created by the Legislature in 1984 to provide legal assistance to low-income Massachusetts residents who have been wrongfully denied federal disability benefits or who have had their benefits unfairly reduced or terminated by the Social Security Administration.

In the fiscal year 2006, the Disability Benefits Project succeeded in winning federal SSI/SSDI benefits for its clients in approximately 83% of cases in which a decision was made. Their efforts brought $503,000 in federal reimbursement to the Commonwealth and $5.23 million in new federal benefits to Massachusetts clients.

In addition to offering assistance in individual cases, DBP advocates provide training for consumers, social service workers and the private bar. DBP advocates have significant expertise in Social Security disability matters and have conducted trainings throughout the state and the country.

The following legal services programs provide DBP services:


Medicare Advocacy Project

The Medicare Advocacy Project operates from legal aid offices across the Commonwealth assisting elders and persons with disabilities in obtaining the Medicare and Medicare-related health insurance coverage to which they are entitled. MAP advocates represent Medicare beneficiaries with individual issues and in groups to address policy issues. In fiscal year 2006, MAP represented 1276 Massachusetts elders and people with disabilities.

Throughout 2006, MAP advocates helped hundreds of individuals who could not access critical medications because of ongoing flaws in Part D, the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. MAP appeals denials of coverage, unravels complex errors in the system, works to extend state emergency prescription drug coverage for Medicare's most vulnerable members and negotiaties with state and federal agencies, private drug plans and pharmacies on behalf of those who have been left behind under Part D.

Despite the tremendous demand for assistance due to problems with the Part D program, MAP continues to represent individuals in a range of other Medicare issues, including coverage issues, enrollment problems and eligibiliy questions related to both traditional and Medicare Advantage (HMO) Medicare. On a systemic level, MAP has helped secure the filing of federal legislation to end certain lifetime Medicare penalties and works for its success. On behalf of low-income Medicare beneficiaries, MAP is pursuing expansion of the Medicare Savings Plan,  under which MassHealth helps pay for premiums and co-pays. MAP continues to address policy issues arising from the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, which created the most significant changes in Medicare since its inception.

To ensure that Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers and their advocates are well informed about their Medicare rights and responsibilities, MAP presents educational programs in elderly housing complexes, assisted living facilities, councils on aging, senior centers and other sites that serve elders and people with disabilities. The presentations address issues such as Medicare Part D, home health care, managed care, new provisions under the MMA and appeal rights. MAP is expanding its outreach efforts to ensure that immigrants on Medicare are also able to access their services.

The following legal services programs provide MAP services: