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Lawmakers asked to codify expanded TAFDC pregnancy eligibility and remove verification barrier
Summary
Proponents of H272/S171 told the committee the FY26 budget expanded access to cash assistance for pregnant people but urged codifying the change into statute and removing the requirement for immediate medical verification so low‑income pregnant people can access TAFDC earlier
Boston — Advocates, clinicians and lawmakers urged the Joint Committee to report favorably on House bill H272 and Senate bill S171, which would codify into statute recent budget changes that restored eligibility for cash assistance for pregnant people earlier in pregnancy and remove a requirement that pregnancy be immediately medically verified to apply.
"Access to cash assistance is critically important during pregnancy, especially in the crucial early months, to ensure engagement in prenatal care, build financial stability, and support maternal and infant health," said Dr. Therese (Charise) Hamblin, an OB‑GYN and medical director of the UMass doula program. She said first prenatal appointments often occur at 11–13 weeks and that requiring medical verification before a person can apply delays support during a vulnerable period.
Betsy Quinn of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute said the FY26 budget removed restrictive language that had limited TAFDC cash assistance during pregnancy to the third trimester only; advocates want the change codified so eligibility is not revisited annually through the budget process. "Eligibility for pregnant people should also not be subject to change in the annual budget," Quinn said.
Sponsors and supporters said the change aligns TAFDC with existing access models for MassHealth and WIC, which allow access earlier in pregnancy and permit medical verification to follow once a first prenatal visit occurs. They argued that earlier access to cash assistance can improve prenatal care engagement, nutrition and birth outcomes and would reduce racial disparities: testimony cited that Black women in Massachusetts face significantly higher maternal mortality and severe morbidity risks.
Committee members did not vote at the hearing; proponents asked for a favorable report and said they would provide additional legislative language and written materials.
