Simplify the Journey, Lydia Sheehey

08/27/2026

The Arc of Massachusetts 2026 Transition Journeys Conference
Framingham, MA
October 24, 2026
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Attendees can choose from over 20 workshops covering important topics.

My topic is "Navigating Government Benefits with Confidence."

General registration is now open.

Learn more and register at thearcofmass.org/conference

08/20/2026

Webinar: MassHealth Implementation of Federal Policy Changes for Stakeholders & Partners
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August 25, 2026 - 12:00 PM
September 10, 2026 - 2:00 PM

Both webinars will cover the same content.

This MassHealth webinar outlines the latest information on coming policy changes and how they are supporting members and partners. Changes to eligibility for certain immigrants will start in October, and other requirements, like work and education requirements and more frequent renewals, begin January 1, 2027. Learn about which MassHealth members will be impacted, a timeline for notifying affected members, and MassHealth's statewide strategy to support members and partners through these new processes.

I will post links to both webinars in the comments.

08/13/2026

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Work Incentives
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If you receive SSDI, working does not necessarily mean your benefits will end.

Social Security has special rules, known as work incentives, that allow many individuals receiving SSDI to work while continuing to receive their monthly cash benefit and Medicare coverage. These work incentives are designed to encourage employment by providing opportunities to test a person's ability to work without immediately losing benefits.

The following are some of the most common SSDI work incentives.

08/06/2026

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Work Incentives
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Some SSI work incentives allow Social Security to exclude a portion of your earnings when calculating your SSI payment. As a result, you may be able to preserve most, or even all of your monthly SSI benefit while working.

The most valuable SSI work incentive is the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE). In many cases, this work incentive allows students under age 22 to maintain their full SSI benefit while working by excluding up to $2,410 in gross monthly earnings and up to $9,730 in gross annual earnings in 2026 when calculating their SSI payment.

Another important work incentive allows individuals to continue receiving Medicaid (MassHealth) coverage even after their SSI cash benefit ends because of earned income. This provision enables many people to work and increase their earnings without losing their health insurance.

07/30/2026

The Arc of MA Transition Journeys 2026 Conference
Tools for Today, Hope for Tomorrow
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I am excited to announce that I will speak at:

The Arc of Massachusetts Transitions Journeys Conference
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Renaissance Framingham Hotel and Conference Center
Framingham, MA

My Topic is “Navigating Government Benefits with Confidence”

My workshop explores government benefits available to individuals with disabilities. Participants will learn the differences between SSI and SSDI, including health insurance associated with each, MassHealth and Medicare, respectively. The workshop also covers how to navigate the disability application process, strategies to maximize SSI benefits, ways to maintain disability benefits while working, the basics of ABLE accounts, and how to apply for SNAP benefits and identify strategies to maximize SNAP assistance.

I hope to see you there.

Register for the conference here:
https://thearcofmass.org/conference/

07/22/2026

Thank You Bridgewell Family Support Center!
“Advocate While You Navigate Financial Benefits in 2026”
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Thank you, Bridgewell, for sponsoring my webinar last week!

The conversation fostered a thoughtful discussion on both recent policy advancements and the work that still lies ahead across key programs, including SSI, SSDI, SNAP, MassHealth, housing, and ABLE accounts.

The session also explored practical strategies for navigating financial benefits and positioning yourself to receive the greatest benefits for which you qualify.

If you missed the webinar or would like to review the information, you can access the presentation slides here.
https://www.simplifythejourney.net/stjpresentations

07/15/2026

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) – Family Misfortune
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If you lose food that you bought with your SNAP benefits because of a fire, flood, loss of electricity, broken refrigerator/freezer, or other misfortune, the MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) may be able to replace your benefits.

The MA DTA will replace up to one month of SNAP benefits. You have 10 days after the loss to report it. The SNAP replacement form can be uploaded to the DTA website.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/snap-household-misfortune

07/08/2026

Massachusetts Likely Required to Fund
a Share of SNAP Benefit Payments in Fiscal Year 2028
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Massachusetts recorded a 12.5% SNAP payment error rate in federal fiscal year 2025, driven largely by overpayments. As a result, the state could be required to absorb a significant share of SNAP benefit payments.

Under new federal rules, states with SNAP payment error rates of 6% or higher must contribute 5%, 10%, or 15% of their annual SNAP benefit payments beginning as early as October 2027. States may use either their federal fiscal year 2025 or 2026 error rate to determine the required state contribution.

Because Massachusetts' 2025 error rate exceeded 10%, it would be required to cover 15% of its SNAP benefit payments unless its federal fiscal year 2026 error rate is low enough to qualify for a lower contribution or no contribution at all.

If the state's required contribution remains at 15%, Massachusetts would be responsible for an estimated $319 million annually, based on approximately $2.1 billion in annual SNAP benefit payments.

https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/07/06/mass-snap-error-rate-changes?fbclid=IwY2xjawS7Ru9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeTSZlYAQUk4hPWbGvHH30rfRyZaPTe314tog3UBxemTtWYcnpzZ3g5Jjmxk8_aem_HKAgffXYvEn0w5LYQzEAZA

Largely due to overpayments, Massachusetts registered a 12.5% error rate for SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2025, which could put the state on the hook to cover more of the cost of the federal food and nutrition assistance program.

07/02/2026

Free Webinar:
Advocate While You Navigate Financial Benefits in 2026

Sponsored by: Bridgewell Family Support Center
Hosted by: Lydia Sheehey
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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Join me – register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hkto0twbSE21hDeA9bX7Rw #/registration

06/25/2026

Participant Directed Program (PDP):
Fiscal Year 2026 Year-End Important Dates
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The MA Department of Development Services’ 2026 fiscal year ends on 6/30/26.

Note the important dates below regarding submission deadlines for those enrolled in the Participant Directed Program (PDP):
- Timesheets
- Invoices
- Participant approval of timesheets