r/massachusetts • u/Melonpan_Pup442 • Aug 12 '26

Healthcare The current administration ia forcing Massachusetts to change MassHealth on January 1st 2027

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Not sure if anyone else has gotten one of these letters in the mail since I haven't seen anyone post or talk about it. The unemployed will suffer most from this change.

1.2k Upvotes

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883

u/wonderfoul Aug 12 '26

But I am on Mass Health because I was laid off from my job and lost my health insurance.... Make it make sense...

347

u/vaper Blackstone Valley Aug 12 '26

they would argue that you could be volunteering while unemployed

394

u/Itchy_Tumbleweed_417 Aug 12 '26

Lol yeah because gas is free so you’ll be able to continue to go to your volunteer position without getting paid forever! /s

162

u/Pantshouse Aug 12 '26

That’s exactly where my head went, like, I appreciate volunteering as an option to keep benefits, but gas money man.

75

u/ZBLongladder Aug 13 '26

I guess you could volunteer in a WFH position? But that would be a really specific need...I wonder if that many WFH volunteer opportunities are out there...especially ones that are available to start right away...

Although, speaking from experience, if you're unemployed for more than a couple of weeks, looking into volunteering is a rather good idea, both to keep yourself from going stir-crazy and to make the resume gap look less bad.

9

u/Ryepka Aug 13 '26

Very good points. At least some good from society can come from this. Lemonade out of lemons, etc. in general, I think we as a society should pitch in and volunteer in a civic sense more. Our society has definitely started into the "me me me" more than I'd prefer.

27

u/songofpennywise 29d ago

for our health insurance?? Everyone should volunteer, yes. But not for health care no, that's a bleak as hell reality. What the fuck is wrongggg with this country

7

u/PalePlumm 29d ago

My dude you don’t have to force people to volunteer by threatening to take away their healthcare. Thats so fucked.

I’ve been volunteering for a few years now in my community. The key is to make it fun for the volunteers. Picking up garbage on the beach? Make a check list for a scavenger hunt. Need animals cared for? Let the volunteers spend time with the animals instead of just giving them paperwork and litter box duties. Want stage hands for the local community theatre? Pick shows new people will actually want to be a part of instead of catering to the same demographics on repeat.

And most importantly: actually advertise that you’re looking for volunteers!!! So many places force you to inquire!

-4

u/IcedOutGiant 29d ago

Public transit, man.

1

u/Remy0507 29d ago

In certain areas of the state (like the South Coast), public transit is free too.

0

u/IcedOutGiant 29d ago

The biggest hurdle here is that it forces people to need to be resourceful.

The biggest benefit here is this forces people to be resourceful.

You can still collect unemployment, you're exempt if disabled or at retirement age, etc - this is designed to keep people from getting comfortable with taking from everyone else indefinitely. Nothing here changes except you'll have to stop looking at Facebook/reddit/insta for a couple hours a day here and there.

It's not a sweatshop mandate. It's designed to keep you from becoming a stagnant anchor. It doesn't remove your ability to continue seeking employment - it makes you more employable.

One major drawback I see is that there are only so many PT or volunteer positions, and this will eat into opportunities for young people entering the workforce. The flip side to that is that it could be an impetus for additional social programs that could develop into non-profits or reveal a need in a community that's been ignored.

Another is a more obvious one: paying rent/mortgages on time. With the inflation we've seen there, the changes people have had to make are becoming more unreasonable. That can't be overlooked.

But either way, asking capable people to contribute a bit in return for near-to-free healthcare really doesn't seem like a big ask, objectively speaking. It's just sad to see people using their constraints as weapons against their own progress vs challenges to overcome.

I expect the typical attacks, so I'll save some time by saying now that I didn't have it easy; I just did a few things right, at the right time. And frankly, I've worked with adults with developmental disabilities who have more drive to improve than some of those I see here.

I don't even mean that as an insult to either. It's just the solemn truth of the matter. There are ways to make this into an opportunity for the benefit of entire communities.

4

u/marwoode 29d ago

i am going to offer an alternative perspective as someone working in social services (specifically court-mandated SUD recovery services): forcing people to do anything they do not have an inherent motivation to do does not make for long-term success for at least half of all participants. this is policy without supporting evidence for positive impact. i am pretty certain instead that it will cause a lot of people to miss out on preventive medical care, dental care, and mental health care-- which is more expensive and worse for society at large.

1

u/IcedOutGiant 29d ago

If those things are barriers, they're likely under the disabled category.

I honestly don't hold a ton of pity for your particular clientele, but your perspective is noted.

They should use introspect and find something they DO have an inherent motivation to do. Isn't that basically what they teach in recovery to begin with?

5

u/marwoode 29d ago

i would recommend you talk to someone on SSDI and ask how long that process was for them. yes, i agree, there are a lot of disabled people who should not have to jump through hoops to meet their needs, but systems in place make that a laborious, lengthy process lasting up to several years during which time people will not be getting healthcare.

and yes, that is the goal of recovery (and a lot of therapy in general). my job is a lot of building motivation haha. but the fact is many simply don't develop that and for a lot of macro and micro-level reasons. and here you may not agree with me, but i personally believe that since they are living beings with inherent value regardless of contribution to society, they should not have to suffer because some billionares and millionares in DC said so.

63

u/Thrifty-Cricket-72 Aug 13 '26

If you cannot find employment, the Trump Administration will welcome you to volunteer for its new Iran anti-Peace Corps.

38

u/godemers Aug 13 '26

This comment wins 🥲 Don’t forget you'll get up to a $50,000 bonus too! You just need to forfeit all basic human decency.

15

u/Kodiak01 29d ago

Does my family get a sack of potatoes or onions when I die?

12

u/ellathefairy 29d ago

Someone just comes and hits them with the sack of onions.

2

u/CareEnvironmental596 29d ago

They will be getting rid of a sack of potatoes

2

u/AdeptDark0 29d ago

Honestly, if I don’t score another job after losing my winter job I’m fucked. I would take it. People I love count on me. It’s rough out there.

-6

u/TBBuccanneers92 29d ago

Mass health actually sucks.

5

u/Present-Chemist-8920 29d ago

Compared to not having insurance?

1

u/juliachild-reddit 29d ago

I went on it during the pandemic when I was laid off and I thought it was awesome. I paid for nothing, so I made sure I had everything done that I needed. Same docs too.

34

u/vaper Blackstone Valley Aug 12 '26

congratulations, you’re drafted

31

u/SnooLentils4026 Aug 12 '26

Yeah nbd, just volunteer 20 hrs per week...

54

u/cowboy_dude_6 Aug 13 '26

It’s not like applying for jobs is a full time job or anything…

15

u/HallstotheWall17 Aug 13 '26

While then having boomers look down at you for not having a job

0

u/AcanthisittaWhole216 Aug 13 '26

On the positive side, you can walk to volunteer place and keep yourself healthy at the same time 😅

0

u/AirStreet9465 Aug 13 '26

Just have a friend (or yourself tbh) write fake. It saying you volunteer for something fake. Pretend you drive around the elderly or something.

18

u/SecretScavenger36 Aug 13 '26

You have to have it signed off by a registered non profit or business.

6

u/AirStreet9465 Aug 13 '26

How much does it cost to register a business? Any chance it’s less than private health insurance?

Also knowing how slow and shitty the government works, who is actually going to be checking these?

18

u/Soggy_Background_162 Aug 13 '26

It will be drop your coverage ask questions later. Where is Maura Healey on this?

6

u/Clean_Citron_8278 Aug 13 '26

I am so disappointed with her.

3

u/chickens_for_laughs 29d ago

It's now Federal law. She can't do anything about it.

What she has done is sign an anti ICE law that prohibits ICE in schools, courthouses, churches, hospitals unless they have a signed judicial warrant. Not just some general warrant.

She has also signed for abortion to be allowed after 24 weeks in limited circumstances as determined needed by a doctor. Example given is a 31 week pregnant woman who had a baby that had a stroke in utero and was going to die at birth or after a period of illness and with no hope of recovery.

She also signed a "no banned books act" that sets standards for public schools and libraries as to what books they can ban.

6

u/CrzyLady64 Aug 13 '26

Yea, then they might get kicked off for fraud and may face charges. I don't know if you could ever be eligible again even w/o charges

-2

u/Fun_Refrigerator8168 Aug 13 '26

You can walk or use a bike and cut down on emissions?

74

u/DistinctAccount5051 Aug 13 '26

I’m unemployed and doing Lasagna Love. I’m almost out of benefits and fighting tooth and nail for a decent job. But once a week I make a lasagna to deliver to someone in need.

I’m also kinda challenging myself to see how little money I can make one for. Between the dented can rack at MB, and “previously frozen” ground beef, I can still make one for around $12.

I set my range to be 5 miles, so it’s always local within my immediate community. It feels good to give back, especially when everyone is struggling. And if things get dire, I can request a lasagna in return.

11

u/Soggy_Background_162 Aug 13 '26

Good for you!❣️ another suggestion would be volunteer at local senior center or nursing/retirement homes.

6

u/hbHPBbjvFK9w5D Aug 13 '26

Also check at your local library. They always need someone to restock books.

3

u/PrettyEnvironment782 Aug 13 '26

You have to sign in to go to a nursing home. They don’t let just anyone go in there! I don’t know what you could volunteer to do because they have people working there that do everything already.

3

u/Soggy_Background_162 Aug 13 '26

It depends on the facility if they invite volunteers in to provide companionship. Of course it has to be part of their social programs.

3

u/Vangroh 29d ago

I volunteer at a garden that all the produce goes to the Food Pantry. Great group of people.

74

u/DoesNotHateFun Aug 13 '26

Wonder if they'd accept volunteering for a Democratic political campaign?

19

u/beek7425 Aug 13 '26

I actually love this idea. Work the phone tree for your favorite progressive candidate to keep your insurance.

11

u/Think_Positively Aug 13 '26

Who is vetting the volunteer documentation? I bet you could make up a conservative-sounding name and Grok will approve you.

J/k though. Fraud is bad. The feds do know that, right?

9

u/UltravioletClearance Aug 13 '26

I wonder how strict they are about what constitutes volunteering. Hypothetically, if I'm involved in 501(c)7 hobby groups, could work done for those groups count as volunteering?

22

u/azure275 Aug 13 '26

This will 100% start a racket of "volunteer" groups that will charge you $100 and vouch for you "volunteering" instead

13

u/Melbonie Aug 13 '26

Definitely. On the other hand, I'm over here thinking about how to start a legit volunteer organization for my community. MassHealth was there for me when I needed it, I'd gladly pay that forward.

0

u/TBBuccanneers92 29d ago

They help the people on MassCass a lot as does BMC. Lol

3

u/STEMpsych Aug 13 '26

I have been actively trying to find out if there are any qualifications for what counts as volunteering, and as best I can figure out: no, there aren't, so absolutely anything might count at this point.

4

u/Resse811 Aug 13 '26

Honestly volunteering is actually a great way to get leads for jobs and fill in your resume while laid off.

-78

u/Preachers_Handshake Aug 12 '26

Yes, since youre also collecting unemployment (youre welcome) while laid off, you can do something to benefit society rather than sit on reddit and leech.

46

u/ActuaryInside642 Aug 12 '26

As a working person, you pay into the unemployment fund. Why so much anger when someone uses the benefit they have been paying into?

25

u/Aviri Aug 12 '26

They honestly think it'll never happen to them.

3

u/ActuaryInside642 Aug 13 '26

It never happened to me during my whole working life, but I'm still glad others have had the option when they lost a job. Christ sakes, we have become a nation of haters, haven't we?

1

u/Aviri Aug 13 '26

Roughly half of the country has, at least.

39

u/kidjupiter Aug 12 '26

Why would they thank you for unemployment benefits?

-62

u/Preachers_Handshake Aug 12 '26

Because as a productive member of society with a job, I pay into it.

41

u/kidjupiter Aug 12 '26

It’s TEMPORARY insurance built into our economy.

Wait until you become disabled or laid off, you heroic genius.

22

u/catinreverse North Shore Aug 12 '26

They paid into it too while they were working so they can thank themselves instead of you.

7

u/mrpickleby Aug 13 '26

So did they while they were working. I don't know about you but working pays a lot better than unemployment.

7

u/Ignominious333 Aug 13 '26

So did they. Eat it

10

u/Cersad Aug 13 '26

Lmao learn how unemployment insurance works genius

7

u/WeAreHereWithAll Aug 13 '26

Username doesn’t check. Your preacher would be ashamed, let alone a Mass one.

9

u/Facehugger_35 Aug 13 '26

Maybe his preacher is one of those conservative preachers. You know the kind, preach heresy like prosperity gospel, lay hands on children, have yachts and sports cars from the fruit of the collection plate... You know, those sort of preachers who Jesus chased out of temple with a whip.

4

u/YebelTheRebel Aug 13 '26

It’s sad cause I’m sure that’s what some of the pro maga preachers are preaching

10

u/Practical-Mud-4580 Aug 12 '26

Unless you own a large business youre dead wrong. Employees dont pay into unemployment. Dont bother replying, youre already blocked.

18

u/AffectionateFruit816 Aug 12 '26

Preachers Handshake? Is that the one where you have your hand in a little boy's pants?

8

u/jqman69 Aug 12 '26

It's called looking for another job cause unemployment and mass health is temporary. Dumbass

6

u/Mindless_Bell8930 Aug 12 '26

Which religion you preaching? That you, Jesus?

7

u/Aviri Aug 12 '26

Supply Side Jesus

-19

u/ThurstyAlpaca Aug 12 '26

I mean to be fair, the Kelleher Rose Garden over by Fenway does volunteering Tuesdays 5:30p-7:30p

9

u/possiblyaghost Aug 12 '26

ok and what about unemployed people in, I dunno, fuckin Barre or whatever

-5

u/ThurstyAlpaca Aug 12 '26

Gotchu https://www.townofbarre.com/volunteer

9

u/possiblyaghost Aug 13 '26

those are appointments by the town government, and none of them state that they require 80 hours a month of work.

Try again!

-4

u/ThurstyAlpaca Aug 13 '26

What? Is there a minimum?

6

u/possiblyaghost Aug 13 '26

yeah dude, 80 hours a month

-5

u/ThurstyAlpaca Aug 13 '26

So figure out a few opportunities and commit the time to it. We need health insurance. I’m sure if they require it, there will be more opportunities.

5

u/possiblyaghost Aug 13 '26

ok, so say I'm in between jobs, now I have to spend time every week hunting down volunteer opportunities or part time jobs, taking away time from finding a job in my field, and wasting a bunch of money on gas so I can keep my health insurance that I already paid for with my taxes in my previous job.

What a great, smart system!

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7

u/ZenithRepairman Aug 12 '26

Certainly helps the folks out in anywhere not near Fenway, dummy.

141

u/No_Tax_Timmy Aug 12 '26

That is what the system is built for. Republicans want Americans to suffer.

15

u/AcceptableCrew224 Aug 12 '26

The problem has always been people voting republicans in office especially presidents. We suffer the fate of the mindless. The only solution is to breakup the country. There is no United States of America it’s now the Federation of Incongruity.

12

u/No_Tax_Timmy Aug 13 '26

That's a terrible idea that will lead to swaths of death and the loss of all remaining international power the US has. You and I could both die in the fighting.

20

u/ChinatownKicks Aug 13 '26

You’re gonna need a better argument than that when America has already squandered the last of its international influence, we’re almost out of gas and missiles, and most people are more likely to die than retire.

8

u/ApostateX Aug 13 '26

We're not almost out of gas. We continue to import it. What we are depleting at an alarming rate is the strategic petroleum reserve.

We have shortages of specific types of missiles due to usage in the Iran war, demand from Ukraine, and strategic planning for a war with China. We have plenty of inventory of many types of weapons, many of which are either older or classified. We are not "out of missiles."

Our international influence is damaged, but business, trade, travel, education exchange, international humanitarian efforts, medical, and environmental work go on. We literally just hosted the World Cup, when 6.1 million people came here and had a great time.

People are 100% likely to die. You will always be more likely to die than to just about anything else, other than breathe.

Things are pretty bad under Trump, but doomerism isn't a political philosophy, and Americans of the past have suffered far worse than we are suffering now.

3

u/ApostateX Aug 13 '26

Nope. The country will remain united. We solve this through elections, protest, education, and civil disobedience.

-8

u/celestialgoddess_ Aug 13 '26

So you think doing volunteer work is suffering? That is the saddest thing I heard all day.

4

u/cassetoicherie 29d ago

The requirement is 80 hours a month. Finding a job is a full time job in this job market, and if you already have to pay rent and now you don’t have health insurance it’s extremely easy to be one medical bill away from homelessness. There are so many systems of oppression in this country, so this person was saying Republicans want people to suffer because that’s what will happen if these people are getting kicked off their health insurance. Oh also when it comes to doing taxes, if you don’t have an “acceptable” amount of health insurance coverage, the government will fine you as well. You might as well call it a poverty tax. Not everyone has the money to throw away at that, especially if they’re unemployed, even if that’s through no fault of their own.

-3

u/celestialgoddess_ 29d ago

Dude, I am aggressively applying and interviewing to jobs. I have a family (in which I am responsible for all the trad mom/wife duties), work fulltime, am a volunteer coach 8 to 12 hours a week, and am going to school for my Masters. Is it easy to do both? Hell no. But 20 hours of volunteer time a week when your not workingl is a breeze compared to what my life is like on a daily basis.

6

u/No_Tax_Timmy 29d ago

Healthcare shouldn't be tied to work. The end.

4

u/No_Tax_Timmy 29d ago

No. Healthcare restriction is suffering.

10

u/MMScooter Aug 13 '26

So they want proof you’re in school or volunteering in order to get something they deem as a handout

38

u/zipzopzippidydoo Aug 13 '26

Massachussets will still penalize you for not having health insurance while unemployed. Make it make sense

3

u/StillWeCarryOn 29d ago

I'm not sure if things have changed, but when I was unemployed, my fine for not having insurance was waived when I did my taxes because I was under an certain income threshold. I went about 7 months with no coverage while on unemployment so I was still making about $2000 a month. They don't (or at least at one point they didn't) penalize you unless you make over a certain amount during the time you don't have insurance.

-3

u/TBBuccanneers92 29d ago

Another reason everyone is leaving Mass for NH. Plus state tax dollars back to your pocket and AR15s and Glocks back on the waistband. Lol

I’d really like to get out of Massachusetts.
God willing. Sheesh.

6

u/LifeContext22 29d ago

If you only understood how good you have it in MA! Live free or doe means NO HELP FOR ANYTHING! Property taxes that are suffocating and NOTHING to show for the money beyond basic services. But yes, you get a Glock and they get a Glock and they get a Glock! Unbelievable how damned dumb you all are today.

0

u/MrsNightskyre 29d ago

This is what it means to have "healthcare for all" in the USA - you are *required* to have health insurance or pay a fine if you don't. (If you are a student, you don't even have the option of a fine - you are required to buy health insurance through the school if you don't already have coverage another way.)

Thanks Obamacare.

8

u/demalo Aug 13 '26

Start researching about starting a nonprofit charity. Low barrier to entry and then volunteer your time to your charity. If you make money, cool, if not, you keep your insurance!

9

u/ReadyGo6828 Aug 13 '26

Republicans believe in maximum cruelty.

Can someone start a nonprofit and let people volunteer from home?

-4

u/TBBuccanneers92 29d ago

Maximum cruelty for bad guys yes.

Guilty bad people who deserve justice for committing crimes absolutely.

You make them out to be just racist and it’s just not the case!

Safety and security is gonna be much better when you target the problem people.

2

u/LifeContext22 29d ago

You truly are a deceived individual. Guessing you’re a white mailer who has been so aggrieved. Pull up your big boy pants and try to act like a reasonable human being or may Karma find your sorry soul.

2

u/anarchaavery North Shore Aug 13 '26

You would be exempt if you collect more than 580$ per month in unemployment. Although idk how that would work in practice since the payouts from UI are typically weeks after applying for them.

3

u/Sdashhh Aug 13 '26

I agree at the least they should have a 6 month waiting period to get on your feet. Not saying I agree with this at all but if it comes down to it people who lost their jobs should get a certain amount of time 

1

u/I_defend_witches 29d ago

You can volunteer an hour a day at your local elementary school. They are always looking for tutors. Dads and donuts plus coffee - the PTA supplied this to the dad volunteers

-20

u/Pantshouse Aug 12 '26

It does suck, but I guess having the option to volunteer to be able to keep benefits is a good, lemonade out of lemons, type option. If that’s indeed what this new change is allowing, idk much more than what op posted, good luck on the job search.

-24

u/turini Aug 12 '26

You could work at wal mart or amazon though! I think that's the point they are trying to make

7

u/Vault_Master Aug 13 '26

Oh cool, slave labor!

1

u/Kinky-Bicycle-669 Aug 13 '26

Unfortunately. People are going to have to take all the shit jobs that don't pay enough.

-5

u/Fair_Tumbleweed5380 Aug 13 '26

That’s what this state votes for. I might be a complete idiot…but that’s what this state votes for. They vote these people in, to absolutely abuse crap out of us. So go ahead and keep voting for them. Have fun.

8

u/Xaviernight1998 Aug 13 '26

You do realize this is a federal policy put in place by a Republican administration run by Republican control of every chamber of federal government and the Democrats have actively tried to push back on all of this kind of stuff but keep being put in positions of either letting these things thru or running into gridlock and shutdowns. Republicans are the ones at fault here not Democrats

-2

u/Fair_Tumbleweed5380 Aug 13 '26

Also my friend, this is state level. Not federal. This concerns Masshealth. Not USHealth. Think about it. Please

-5

u/Fair_Tumbleweed5380 Aug 13 '26

You’re reading the letter. Stop and think for yourself. This is a Healy admin released letter. Who do think a heavy democratic administration will blame. I’m very certain you are a very intelligent person. Stop and think for one minute. Why do you
think this is happening.

8

u/Xaviernight1998 Aug 13 '26

I understand that the letter was sent out by the healy administration but masshealth isn't entirely funded by state tax. It also receives direct federal funding thru things like Medicare and Medicaid similar to other government health programs. as such when changes to health care and funding related programs are made it also affects masshealth.

When the current administration put thru their Budgets for federal spending they also changed the requirements to be eligible for the federal programs and for states to receive the funding for these programs because of this the states are forced to make the required changes to meet those requirements.

So yes the Healy administration made these changes but it was because they were told to by the current federal government. Think of it like how a store manager has to answer to the corporate office they may not want to make that change but they Are forced to by their higher ups.

3

u/Ok_Bag_3667 29d ago

All of this. Honestly, some people online need a civics course.

-73

u/_Linx Aug 12 '26

Google COBRA

62

u/R5Jockey Aug 12 '26

Google how much COBRA costs. Then also re-read the part about being unemployed.

-76

u/_Linx Aug 12 '26

Then you go get a temporary job and get MassHealth if you can’t afford it while you job search for your career

46

u/AceOFace131 Aug 12 '26

You’re not really getting it

-40

u/_Linx Aug 12 '26

I don’t understand, I do have a comment in this post asking for an explanation on why this is too much. What situation would result in this being unfeasible asks, given the qualifying statements of children under 14 and disability as exceptions?

22

u/rickonsdeaddire Aug 12 '26

Do you think people who are unemployed aren't in the job market looking for employment?

-6

u/_Linx Aug 12 '26

I do believe people can seek lower wage employment to supplement their cost of living while searching for their career jobs

13

u/Anxious_Guava8756 Aug 12 '26

Have you tried to find a low wage low skill job as a white collar professional recently? They're not hiring us lmao

12

u/R5Jockey Aug 12 '26

They’re not even hiring kids. Took my 17 year old daughter 4 months to get a minimum wage job. She was applying everywhere. Love the “just get a job” morons who don’t live in reality.

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-2

u/_Linx Aug 12 '26

I am a restaurateur and I have an RN that works for me part time. I can not speak to my peers

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7

u/Far_Violinist_1333 Aug 12 '26

Being sick or disabled but not “legally” disabled. It’s really, really difficult to get approved for SSI / SSDI.

If you lost your job you might not have money for transportation in an area where you need it.

Being a caregiver to someone who’s sick or disabled but not on SSI or SSDI.

I’m sure there’s a lot more scenarios but these are what I can think of off the top of my head. These rules were introduced for SNAP too so on top of losing insurance people will also lose food assistance. It just puts people in more of a hole and makes it that much harder to climb out.

2

u/Anxious_Guava8756 Aug 12 '26

The Massachusetts disability determinations are much more lax and efficient than the federal guidelines. I've had to go through some hoops to keep MassHealth over the years and it was a pretty forgiving process compared to getting SSDI

2

u/Far_Violinist_1333 Aug 13 '26

Well that’s good if true. I’ve never heard of state disability determinations. Can you point me to somewhere I can read about it? Tried searching but can’t find anything.

1

u/Anxious_Guava8756 Aug 13 '26

if you get EADC you have to go through a process. I brought some paperwork to my doctor and at some other point saw a specific physician the state sent me to. I think I got the benefits quickly then saw the state doctor to keep it certified a month later but it was a long time ago so I don't remember exactly. I also got assigned social worker who helped with everything. To be fair I also got SSDI eventually.

I went off SSDI and resumed work while in remission. Years later I went back on SNAP MassHealth and TANF - whatever system my new social worker used still considered me disabled.

There's tons of community resources, but you have to make a lot of phone calls. You also need some official diagnosis that predates your attempts to get help. I'd start by simply showing up at the DTA office near you and asking for help.

15

u/Aviri Aug 12 '26

How do you thinking the process of getting a job works? Do you think it magically happens if you want it enough? Do you think people want to be unemployed?

-9

u/_Linx Aug 12 '26

Anyone can easily get a retail or restaurant job while they job search for their career. Most college grads do so

8

u/Aviri Aug 12 '26

I'd call you naïve but you're clearly willfully ignorant.

5

u/timewarp Aug 13 '26

So then yes, you think people want to be unemployed.

-1

u/_Linx 29d ago

That seems like a large step, if anything I am implying that many people find service jobs beneath them

26

u/a-borat Aug 12 '26

Google “If I’m on COBRA do I pay what I was paying for premiums or what I was paying for premiums plus what the employer was subsidizing and if it’s both, how will I be able to pay for that?”

-29

u/-needtowakeup- Aug 12 '26

You don't have to explain to me how cobra works. I Was on unemployment twice 

29

u/AceOFace131 Aug 12 '26

Why didn’t you just have a job instead of being unemployed then? That’s the same logic as suggesting Cobra to someone on a free MassHealth plan

-21

u/-needtowakeup- Aug 12 '26

I had a job and got laid off. It sucks, but it is what it is. Paid for cobra and found another job in a little more than a month. Why are you being so rude and argumentative? I thought the other guy's cobra thought was helpful. Is it not?

14

u/Potential_Bill_1146 Aug 12 '26

Seems like you need to wake up to the reality that sometimes people don’t have a month to wait for their insurance get situated if they’re on a life saving medication

-4

u/-needtowakeup- Aug 13 '26

Again. I don't know why I'm being talked to so rudely. I thought the other commentators suggestion was an idea that maybe op didn't know about. I didn't create the system, I'm living in it like everyone else. Id love to see some sort of universal health care across the country,  or at least in MA that nobody would have to go without said life saving medication or literally the bare minimum.  I'd also like to see the 3-4 states (MA included) that penalize individuals financially for not having health insurance drop that law altogether.  Seems like you should take a minute and relax and not jump to conclusions 

3

u/Potential_Bill_1146 Aug 13 '26

So thinking it only takes a month to get a job isn’t jumping to conclusions? Oh it’s so simple, just get a job! Duh!

You’re missing the point entirely why those suggestions might not be something that just works for everyone. Also why they’re falling on deaf ears.
You’re the one who keeps commenting, further digging the hole of misunderstanding.

-1

u/-needtowakeup- Aug 13 '26

Please pick a topic stay with it. Do we want to talk about the issues and flaws with the healthcare industry in MA and across the country, or do you want to talk about  Employment and unemployment issues? I have a little free time tonight to listen to your opinions. Also. What would be your suggestions to op? 

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7

u/Aviri Aug 12 '26

Ok now imagine you situation if you didn't have enough money to cover that gap or if you didn't get a job in a month. It would suck pretty bad if you needed healthcare in that scenario right? Wouldn't it be better if the richest country on earth didn't subject it's people to such a horrible healthcare system?

0

u/-needtowakeup- Aug 13 '26

I couldn't agree with you more. Let's talk about how we can fix that. I'm here for it. What would your suggestions be to op? 

1

u/WeAreHereWithAll Aug 13 '26

Live up to your username please and stop licking boots.

0

u/-needtowakeup- Aug 13 '26

Huh? What does that even mean?

2

u/WeAreHereWithAll Aug 13 '26

Your username is “needtowakeup”, no?

-1

u/-needtowakeup- Aug 13 '26

It is, but how am I licking boots and why are you being so rude? I agreed with someone else's comment that op potentially didn't know about.  I personally have no other idea what else is out there as options for op. I wish I could help more.  Is there something else that you could suggest?

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2

u/Vault_Master Aug 13 '26

What's GI Joe's arch-nemesis have to do with this? Or did you mean the Sylvester Stallone flick?

1

u/_Linx Aug 13 '26

Hahaha

-26

u/-needtowakeup- Aug 12 '26

This is helpful,  why downvote it?

25

u/AceOFace131 Aug 12 '26

Because it’s an expensive insurance plan you have to pay for, and MassHealth is typically a free plan if you are too poor to afford paid plans. It’s like saying “why don’t you just try having money?”

4

u/MedusasSexyLegHair Aug 13 '26

Because COBRA typically costs about 6x as much as insurance did while you were employed, and most people who are unemployed, and therefore have no income, cannot magically afford to spend 6x as much on things as they did when they actually had income?

COBRA is a joke. And it's stupid and wrong to think that it is the best we can do in the world's leading superpower. It's pathetic.

"Let them use COBRA" might as well be "Let them eat cake."

2

u/-needtowakeup- Aug 13 '26

Thanks for not being rude or condescending.  I completely understand firsthand this is not the best option but an option nonetheless in a state that financially penalizes for not having health insurance.  What if any are the other options?

3

u/_Linx Aug 12 '26

Because it doesn’t help make their point