BEACON is DTA's computer system. The DTA worker puts information about each client into BEACON. BEACON is programmed to decide eligibility and benefit amounts, create a list of proofs you need to give to DTA, keep track of when you have to meet with your worker, and create notices to send to you about your benefits.
DTA workers follow instructions in the BEACON User's Guide to conduct interviews and put information into BEACON. Your local DTA office has a copy of the BEACON User's Guide and you have a right to look at it because it is a public document. As of this writing (January 2011), DTA has upgraded the BEACON system with more changes. We anticipate in the near future DTA will have a new BEACON User's Guide or other instructions that will be important for advocates.
Sometimes BEACON makes mistakes because the worker did not give BEACON the right information. Sometimes BEACON makes mistakes because the computer program is wrong. Sometimes BEACON tells the worker to ask for information or proofs you should not have to give. BEACON is only a computer system. It does not set the rules or make policy.
Your DTA worker should not refuse to fix a problem because of BEACON. If you have any questions or problems with BEACON or you get notices from DTA you think are wrong, talk to your worker or your worker's supervisor. If the problem is not fixed right away, you should contact an advocate and appeal. See Appeal Rights.
Produced by Patricia Baker, Laura Gallant, Deborah Harris, Rochelle Hahn Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Last updated January 2011
