Jane Doe v. Claire McIntire (August 10, 2001) Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. NOW Legal Defense Team, represented by Foley, Hoag & Eliot, Pro Bono, filed an amicus brief appealing a denial of TANF benefits to two immigrant women lawfully residing in Massachusetts, the denial was based on six month residence requirement before receiving benefits. One woman was fleeing domestic violence and the other residing with family during pregnancy.

Topics addressed in this Amicus Brief:

• The Unquestioned Need to Physically Distance Victims of Domestic Violence From their Abusers Depends on Timely Access to Financial Resources…………….11
• The Period During Which Victims of Domestic Violence are Most in Need of Financial Assistance is Immediately After They Leave Abusive Relationships…………18
• Access to Financial Benefits is Especially Critical to Battered Immigrant Women, Who Constitute A Particularly Vulnerable Population……………20
• Denial of Immediate Financial Assistance to Battered Immigrant Women is Contrary to the Public Policy of the Commonwealth………….25