The Coalition organized in November 2016 to Lift the Cap on Kids — the “family cap” welfare law that until April of this year denied benefits to thousands of children conceived while the family was receiving assistance.
The House and Senate enacted family cap repeal with overwhelming support on April 4, 2019. On April 8, Governor Baker vetoed the repeal bill. The House of Representatives voted (155-1) to override the veto on April 10. The Senate’s completed repeal with an override vote (37-3) on April 25.
About 11,000 children were added to their families’ welfare grants, bringing the families $100 more a month in benefits and making it a little bit easier for families to buy diapers, food when food stamps run out, and other things their children need. The children are also now eligible for a $350 annual clothing allowance is paid in September.
Massachusetts enacted the family cap as part of the state’s welfare “reform” law in 1995. The rule penalized children for being born, denying them basic necessities.
Representative Marjorie Decker and Senator Sal DiDomenico were the lead sponsors of the bills to Lift the Cap on Kids, first filed in January 2017.
The Legislature included family cap repeal as part of the state budget in July 2018. The Governor sent the repeal provisions back with a “poison pill” amendment cutting off benefits for children with a disabled parent.
The Legislature rejected the amendment and re-enacted family cap repeal on July 31, 2018. The Governor vetoed the re-enacted bill on August 8, 2018, after the formal legislative session ended for 2018, thereby preventing the Legislature from overriding the veto.
Representative Decker and Senator DiDomenico re-filed the family cap bills in January 2019. The bills were enacted four months later.
Decades old cap on welfare benefits repealed, Boston Globe, 4/25/19
Lawmakers vote to expand welfare services for low-income women, WWLP, 4/26/19
MA lawmakers lift cap on family welfare benefits, State House News Service, 4/27/19
‘6th time was the charm’: Welfare cap lifted in Massachusetts, Governing, 4/29/19
States are repealing laws that cap financial aid to families, HuffPost, 5/6/19