Good news! The MA Repay: Human Service and Home Health Worker Student Loan Repayment Program reopened, Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Applicants are now eligible to apply regardless of income level. If you previously tried to apply for loan repayment, and you were unable to, please review the information below.
Also, The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities extended the deadline to report on our livable wage bills – An act relative to a livable wage for human services workers – to May 2, maintaining their chances of being reported favorably and favorably reported our loan repayment bills – An act relative to a loan repayment program for human service workers. The loan repayment bill would create a new program in state law, whereas the aforementioned Human Services and Home Health Workers Loan Repayment Program through MA Repay uses one-time funds that were appropriated in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in December 2021. Below you can find more information on the status of our bills.
- MA Repay
Applicants who earn less than 50% of their AMI will still be granted preferential scoring, along several other criteria for granting preference to applicants, if the number of individuals eligible for loan repayments exceeds the available funding. Applications will close at 11:59 PM EST on March 13, 2024 or once the award amounts requested by applicants reaches approximately twice the available award funding for this program, whichever comes first.
Please see this factsheet about revised program guidelines or this flyer with eligibility details for more information.
- Loan Repayment and Livable Wage Bills
Last week was Joint Rule 10 Day, whereby committees of initial jurisdiction for the current legislative session were required to either move bills forward, extend their reporting deadlines or send them to study – essentially ending their ability to get passed during the current legislative session.
The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities favorably reported our loan repayment bills – An act relative to a loan repayment program for human service workers – advancing them through the legislative process. The next committee to hear the loan repayment bills has not yet been announced. The Joint Committee also extended the deadline to report on our livable wage bills – An act relative to a livable wage for human services workers – to May 2, maintaining their chances of being reported favorably.
The Providers’ Council will keep you updated on each bill’s status as the information is released.
Thank you to The Caring Force for reaching out to EOHHS to encourage them to drop the income limitations for the MA Repay Program and for asking the Joint Committee members to report out our bills! Our progress is thanks to your advocacy efforts!
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