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Last updated: 7 May 2026
Bottom line: Older veterans in Massachusetts should usually start with their city or town Veterans Service Officer, also called a VSO. The VSO can screen for Chapter 115 financial help, the state annuity, veteran tax relief, VA claims help, emergency aid, and referrals to housing, legal, health care, and burial support. Start with the office that matches the problem that can hurt you first.
Urgent help first
If someone is in danger, call 911. If you are a veteran in crisis, or worried about one, call 988 and press 1. The Veterans Crisis Line also offers chat and text help.
If you have no safe place to sleep, may lose housing soon, or are staying in a car, call 1-877-424-3838. The homeless veterans hotline can connect you to nearby VA help. Also call your local VSO.
Fast starting points
| Your main need | Start here | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, food, heat, medicine, or basic bills | City or town VSO | Ask for a Chapter 115 screening and any local emergency help. |
| State annuity or state veteran benefits | VSO or EOVS | Ask if your disability rating, survivor status, or service record fits. |
| Property tax or car fee relief | Assessor or RMV | Ask which veteran exemption applies and what proof is needed. |
| Homelessness or eviction risk | VA hotline and VSO | Ask for veteran housing case management and prevention help. |
| Long-term care | Veterans Home or VA care team | Ask about admission, clinical review, cost, and wait times. |
| Legal papers, debt, housing court, or benefits trouble | Veterans legal help | Ask for free or low-cost civil legal screening. |
Contents
- Why the local VSO matters
- Cash help and state payments
- Veteran tax and RMV relief
- Health care and long-term care
- Housing and homelessness help
- Burial help
- Legal and rides
- How to start
- FAQ
Why the local VSO matters in Massachusetts
Massachusetts veteran help is built around city and town service officers. State law has a VSO assigned to each city and town, though some offices serve a district. Use the state VSO finder to look up the office.
A VSO is often the best first contact because that office can connect state and local paths. Ask for a full review, not help with only one form.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services, or EOVS, oversees Chapter 115, the annuity, Veterans Homes, and state cemeteries. If you cannot reach your VSO after repeated tries, call EOVS Constituent Services at 617-210-5480.
Cash help and state payments
Chapter 115 financial help
Chapter 115 is the main Massachusetts safety-net program for veterans and eligible dependents with low income or a serious money problem. It may help with food, shelter, clothing, fuel, medical care, dental care, and basic needs. The state Chapter 115 application page says you apply through your VSO, and there is no cost.
Who may qualify: You must meet Massachusetts veteran or dependent rules, live in the state, and pass a needs review. Because the HERO Act changed parts of the state definition, ask the VSO to check the current service rules.
Where to apply: Apply through your VSO. You can also use the state benefit estimator to prepare and see what papers may be needed.
Reality check: Chapter 115 is not a federal VA payment. The VSO takes the application and asks for proof. If the need is urgent, say that clearly.
Massachusetts veteran annuity
The Massachusetts veteran annuity is a state payment for a narrow group, not every veteran. The state annuity application page says new applications or updates must be received and approved by EOVS by June 30. Starting in August 2025, eligible people receive one yearly check of $2,500.
Who may qualify: The annuity may apply to certain veterans with a 100% service-connected disability and certain Gold Star family members or surviving spouses.
Where to apply: Apply through EOVS or ask your VSO to help, especially if you are an older surviving spouse.
Reality check: The annuity has strict proof rules and a June 30 approval cutoff. Late applications may wait until the next cycle.
Veteran tax and RMV relief
Local property tax exemptions for veterans
Some Massachusetts veterans and survivors may qualify for a local property tax exemption. The state veteran tax page lists $400, $750, $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, and full exemptions for certain cases.
Who may qualify: Rules depend on veteran status, disability rating, home ownership, Massachusetts residence, and whether the home is your domicile on July 1. Local adoption also matters.
Where to apply: Apply with your city or town assessor, not with the VA. Bring your VA award letter, DD214, ownership proof, address proof, and survivor papers if needed.
Reality check: The HERO Act allows some municipalities to double the exemption or tie it to inflation, but the local amount can vary. Ask the assessor what your city or town adopted. The GFS property tax guide has broader senior tax help.
Driver, plate, and vehicle relief
Massachusetts has veteran-related Registry of Motor Vehicles rules. The state RMV veteran page explains veteran indicators, plates, decals, license rules, and disabled veteran fee or tax exemptions.
Reality check: RMV relief usually needs proof. A VA disability letter, plate type, license status, or vehicle ownership may affect the answer.
Health care and long-term care
Massachusetts senior veterans may use VA health care, Medicare, MassHealth, or all three. These systems do not replace each other.
Use official VA location pages to find the right system. VA Boston serves many eastern Massachusetts veterans; use VA Boston locations. Veterans north of Boston may use VA Bedford locations. Central and western residents can check VA western locations for clinics.
If you need help with Medicare choices, ask SHINE before you change coverage. MassOptions can connect you at 1-800-243-4636. If Medicare premiums are the problem, the GFS Medicare Savings guide can help you ask about MassHealth help.
Veterans Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke
Massachusetts has state Veterans Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke. The state Veterans Homes page explains eligibility, admission steps, and costs. Chelsea offers residential and long-term care. Holyoke is a long-term care facility.
Who may qualify: Admission depends on veteran status, Massachusetts eligibility, medical need, paperwork, and available space.
Where to apply: Use the state Veterans Homes page, call the home, or ask your VSO or VA social worker for help.
Reality check: Long-term care is not instant. There may be clinical reviews, cost reviews, and wait times. If staying home may still work, call MassOptions and ask for the local Aging Services Access Point. The GFS ASAP guide explains broader home paths.
Housing and homelessness help for veterans
If housing is unsafe or unstable, use veteran help first. Call 1-877-424-3838 for the VA homeless veterans hotline. Then call your VSO and ask about Chapter 115, local veteran emergency funds, and VA homeless services.
VA and nonprofit programs may include outreach, case management, HUD-VASH, Supportive Services for Veteran Families, shelter links, legal help, and help staying housed. The state housing resource list names veteran-focused providers.
In Greater Boston, the NECHV help page lists help for veterans who are homeless or facing housing loss. Volunteers of America Massachusetts also lists veteran services such as housing stability, case management, and referrals.
Reality check: Housing funds and beds are limited. A veteran may still need RAFT, public housing, legal help, or shelter coordination. The GFS housing help guide can help while the veteran case is moving.
Burial and cemetery help
Massachusetts has two state veterans memorial cemeteries, in Agawam and Winchendon. The state cemetery fees page says eligible veterans have no charge. It lists spouse and dependent fees of $300 for full casket burial and $150 for cremation interment, subject to change.
What to gather: The cemetery page lists an interment application, discharge papers, birth certificate or state ID, and marriage certificate if needed. Agawam is 413-821-9500. Winchendon is 978-297-9501.
Massachusetts also has a burial-agent path for some veterans or dependents who die without enough money. State burial law lists a limit of not more than $4,000 when the funeral and burial cost is not more than $5,000 and the estate has insufficient resources. Ask before signing a funeral contract.
Reality check: Burial help is paperwork-heavy. Ask about eligibility, cost limits, and proof before all funeral choices are made.
Legal and transportation help
Free or low-cost legal help
Older veterans may need legal help for eviction, debt, benefits, discharge upgrades, estate papers, public benefits, or housing conditions. Massachusetts lists veteran legal help through the Attorney General’s Office, including the Military Legal Help Line at 1-800-552-7046 and Veterans Legal Services at 857-317-4474.
Veterans Legal Services says it helps Massachusetts veterans with free civil legal aid when the person meets service, residence, income, case-location, and case-type rules. Different rules can apply for veterans served through certain VA homelessness programs.
Reality check: Legal aid cannot take every case. Call early if you have a court date, notice to quit, benefits deadline, or debt lawsuit.
Transportation for VA and daily needs
Transportation help depends on where you live and where you need to go. The state veterans transportation page points to public transit, paratransit, and regional veteran ride options. DAV vans may help with VA medical rides when available.
Reality check: Ride programs often need advance notice. Ask how many days ahead you must book.
How to start without wasting time
- Pick the top problem: rent, heat, food, health care, tax bill, transportation, legal notice, or care needs.
- Call the right first office: VSO for veteran benefits, VA hotline for homelessness, assessor for property tax, Veterans Home for admission, legal aid for court papers.
- Ask for a full screening: Say you want state, local, VA, tax, housing, and survivor paths checked.
- Write down every call: Keep the date, name, phone number, and next step.
- Send copies: Keep your DD214, VA letters, tax papers, and court papers safe.
Documents to gather
| Document | Why it may matter |
|---|---|
| DD214 or discharge papers | Shows service, dates, and discharge status. |
| VA award or rating letter | Needed for disability-based tax, annuity, RMV, or benefit review. |
| Photo ID and address proof | Shows who you are and where you live. |
| Income proof | Used for needs-based programs. |
| Rent, mortgage, utility, fuel, and medical bills | Shows the problem and the amount owed. |
| Marriage, death, or birth certificates | May prove survivor or dependent status. |
Phone scripts you can use
Call the VSO
Hello, my name is [name]. I am a senior veteran living in [city or town]. I need a full benefits screening. Can you check Chapter 115, the annuity, property tax relief, VA claims help, and local emergency aid? What papers should I bring?
Ask about Chapter 115
Hello, I am having trouble paying for [rent, food, heat, medicine]. I want to apply for Chapter 115. Is there an urgent process, and what proof do you need this week?
Call about housing risk
Hello, I am a Massachusetts veteran and I may lose housing. Can you connect me to veteran homelessness prevention, SSVF, HUD-VASH screening, or a local case worker?
Call about legal help
Hello, I am an older veteran with a civil legal problem about [housing, debt, benefits, estate papers]. I have a deadline on [date]. Can you screen me or refer me?
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
Ask for the reason in writing. If papers are missing, ask for the exact list. If a deadline applies, ask whether you can file a simple request while you gather proof.
If Chapter 115 is denied or delayed, ask your VSO how to request review and what rule was used. If a VA claim is the issue, use a VSO or VA-accredited helper before paying a company. If court or debt papers are involved, call legal aid right away.
Backup options when one path does not fit
If one program does not fit, try the backup path. A veteran who does not qualify for the annuity may still qualify for Chapter 115. A person waiting on a Veterans Home may still use VA care, MassHealth screening, home care, or caregiver support. Older surviving spouses may also want the GFS CHAMPVA guide.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not assume you are not a veteran under state rules: Ask the VSO to check the current Massachusetts definition.
- Do not wait until eviction court: Call the VA hotline and VSO when housing first becomes unstable.
- Do not miss the annuity cutoff: Ask about the June 30 approval deadline if you may qualify.
- Do not drop Medicare because you use VA care: Talk with SHINE first.
- Do not sign a funeral contract before asking about burial help: Cost limits and proof rules may apply.
Resumen en español
Resumen: Los veteranos mayores en Massachusetts deben llamar primero al Oficial de Servicios para Veteranos de su ciudad o pueblo. Pregunte por Chapter 115, la anualidad estatal, alivio de impuestos, vivienda, cuidado médico, transporte, ayuda legal y beneficios para sobrevivientes. Si hay peligro, llame al 911. Si hay crisis de salud mental, llame al 988 y presione 1. Si no tiene vivienda segura, llame al 1-877-424-3838.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a Massachusetts senior veteran start?
Start with your city or town VSO. Ask for a full screening for Chapter 115, the state annuity, property tax relief, VA claims help, housing referrals, and emergency help.
Is Chapter 115 only for veterans?
No. Chapter 115 can also help some eligible dependents and survivors when they meet Massachusetts rules and financial need rules. Ask the VSO to screen the full household.
Is the Massachusetts veteran annuity for every veteran?
No. It is for a narrow group, such as some 100% service-connected disabled veterans and certain eligible survivors or Gold Star family members. Ask the VSO to check the current rules.
Can a veteran get state help and VA benefits at the same time?
Sometimes, yes. State veteran benefits and federal VA benefits are separate. But income, assets, and payment amounts can affect needs-based programs, so report every benefit you receive.
Who handles veteran property tax relief in Massachusetts?
Your city or town assessor handles the application. The VA may provide disability proof, but the local assessor decides local property tax exemption paperwork.
Who can help a Massachusetts veteran facing homelessness?
Call the VA homeless veterans hotline at 1-877-424-3838 and call your local VSO. Ask about veteran homelessness prevention, SSVF, HUD-VASH screening, Chapter 115, and local referrals.
About this guide
We check this guide against official government, local agency, and trusted nonprofit sources. GrantsForSeniors.org is independent and is not a government agency.
Program rules, funding, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply.
See something wrong or outdated? Send corrections to info@grantsforseniors.org so we can review them.
Last updated: 7 May 2026
Next review: 7 August 2026
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