Grants for Seniors in Massachusetts
Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by Rachel
Help for Seniors in Massachusetts – 27 Assistance Programs
Massachusetts which is also known as “The Bay State ” is one of the most comfortable and senior-friendly places considering the various social and outdoor activities. It is a neighbor state to the big and industrialized states such as Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New York. Massachusetts has a low unemployment rate compared to other states. This can be a good opportunity for seniors who would like to be in business life. Even though it presents an advantageous position about tax issues, some senior citizens may need other sorts of support. Hence, various local organizations, federal authorities, and the State of Massachusetts offer a wide range of programs and services for the elderly.
State Resources for Seniors
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) in Massachusetts provides many resources to point seniors in the right direction when looking for help. Some programs are also sponsored by the government to deliver the best living conditions for seniors. Apart from this, the state has laws put in place to explicitly protect older persons from the effects of hardships that they may face. Seniors in the state can visit https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-elder-affairs to get started with the resources available to them.
Financial Assistance
The Social Security Administration provides Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to elderly individuals who have limited resources. SSI benefits are available for seniors over the age of 65 who meet the program’s income restrictions. Money is provided monthly to eligible persons to help them meet their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. The state provides additional assistance to SSI recipients through the Massachusetts State Supplement Program (SSP). This program makes additional funds available by adding some extra money to the SSI benefits. Seniors with income above the SSI threshold can still apply for SSP and may receive partial benefits from the state through the program. Further details on these programs in Massachusetts can be found at https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-state-supplement-program-ssp.
A Medicare Savings Program is a state-funded financial assistance program for seniors who cannot afford to pay their prescription bills or treatment expenses. The amount of this financial health support can differ based on the economic situation of the applicant. To read more, please visit https://www.mass.gov/service-details/help-paying-medicare-costs.
Employment Assistance
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is managed by the State of Massachusetts to support people who are 55 years of age or above in finding a proper job by taking into consideration their economic and health conditions. The elder people who wish to be employed or to improve their skills and become financially independent may apply for this program. Find out more at https://www.mass.gov/senior-community-service-employment-program-scsep.
Housing and Rent Assistance
Supporting Housing is a housing assistance program specifically designed to support senior citizens by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. This program offers small private flats that have a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Since it has 41 housing sites with 6,060 home units, it is very effective for seniors. These housing units have an emergency response system that works all day long. Moreover, it prepares meals for the residents and plans different outdoor and indoor activities. Seniors who are 62 years of age or above are eligible for this benefit, yet seniors with disabilities are prioritized by this program. The link to their official website is as follows https://www.mass.gov/service-details/supportive-housing-eligibility or call the main line 617 727 7750.
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program functions on the Chapter 707 Program that was created by the State Ethics Commission. This program presents temporary and permanent rental monetary assistance for low and moderate-income individuals. Seniors who have difficulties paying their rent may apply for this voucher program. Eligible seniors can have monthly rent assistance depending on their total household income. For more information, please visit https://www.mass.gov/opinion/ec-coi-96-4.
The Emergency Housing Assistance Program assists low and moderate-income people in case of shelter service emergencies. These shelters can be permanent or temporary for eligible candidates. Seniors who are at the risk of losing their home or already homeless may urge to apply for this program. To learn more, please go to https://www.mass.gov/emergency-housing-assistance-programs or contact 617 573 1106.
Seniors can live a decent life and peacefully in their homes for as long as feasible, as long as it continues to be a safe place for them. In addition to housing and rent aid, they have access to a number of financial assistance programs that help seniors with home maintenance. Home Repair Grants for Seniors contains a list of the resources that are offered.
The Section 504 Home Repair Program provides financial assistance which can be used to undertake essential home repairs and modifications. Loans are provided with low interest rate to qualified low-income residents to help remove health and safety hazards or restore structural integrity. The loans have an upper limit of $40,000 with a 1% interest rate and a repayment period spread out over 20 years. Seniors over the age of 62 may qualify for grants. These grants come at a maximum value of $10,000 and can be used to carry out repairs or accessibility modifications to the home. Seniors who receive a grant are required to continue living in the home for at least 3 years afterward, or they have to repay the grant. For those who can afford to pay for part but not all the home repairs, a combination of a loan and grant may be offered. Interested seniors can visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants/ma for more information.
MassHousing provides loans for financially challenged homeowners in the state. Elderly residents may obtain loans of up to $50,000 to carry out essential repairs through the program offered. Eligibility for the loan is based on income levels and loans come with a 5% interest rate. The repayment period usually ranges from 5-15 years. Seniors can obtain further details from https://www.masshousing.com/.
NeighborWorks Housing Solutions has several loan and grant options to help repair or modify homes. Emergency grants are also available to cater to those who need urgent repairs done on their homes. The different loans and grants offered have their unique conditions and are tailored to meet differing needs. More information on these assistance options can be found at https://nhsmass.org/homeowner-loans/.
Healthcare Assistance
The Medicaid program in Massachusetts is known as MassHealth. MassHealth is a health support system that was formed by the State of Massachusetts. It is also recognized as Home and Community-based Services Waivers. This program provides long-term healthcare assistance whether in a nursing home or the applicant’s home. People who are at the age of 65 or older are qualified to receive this medical aid. It does not only cover the health issues but also offers to help with dental problems. To learn more, please go to https://www.mass.gov/orgs/masshealth or dial 800 841 2900.
Under this program, residents over the age of 65 can enroll for Senior Care Options (SCO). This is a special healthcare program that meets the medical needs of older individuals. SCO has six plans which cover a variety of medical services. Generally, seniors under this program receive coverage on primary care, doctors’ visits, prescription drugs, emergency care, etc. Recipients of SCO pay reduced premiums, making healthcare affordable for them. Procedures that are not explicitly stated may be covered once communication has been established with the care provider. The six SCO plans and their associated links are:
- Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan Senior Care Options https://www.seniorsgetmore.org/
- Commonwealth Care Alliance http://www.commonwealthcaresco.org/
- NaviCare (HMO) navicare.org
- Senior Whole Health by Molina Healthcare https://www.molinahealthcare.com/members/ma/en-US/pages/home.aspx
- Tufts Health Plan Senior Care Options http://www.thpmp.org/sco
- UnitedHealthCare http://www.uhccommunityplan.com/
The Akwaaba Free Health Program allows financially challenged and uninsured seniors get access to proper medical treatment. Competent healthcare professionals deliver comprehensive treatment, lab tests, prescription refills, and other services at no cost. Patients with chronic conditions are referred to more specialized hospitals where they can get better care. Seniors can find more information on this health program and similar ones at https://www.worcesterfreecare.org/.
The SHINE Program (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) is subsidized by the state officials for senior citizens with Medicare and their nurses. Some older people and their caregivers at home may not know about their health condition or what is their health issue. This program provides free health insurance information and guidance for eligible candidates. Seniors who have health questions in their minds may get in touch with this program. To find out more, please click on the link https://www.mass.gov/health-insurance-counseling or make a phone call at 1 800 243 4636.
The Home Care Program is a special health service for people who are at the age of 60 or older and suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or relevant dementia issues. This program offers daily care at home with various services such as cleaning, bathing, cooking, and clothing. To benefit from this care program, please visit https://www.mass.gov/in-home-services.
Help with Dental Care
Donated Dental Services, a program offered by the Dental Lifeline Network provides free dental care for Massachusetts residents over the age of 65. This program is supported by a network of dentists who come together to volunteer their services to care for the underserved. Comprehensive dental care is provided to eligible seniors, helping them attain better oral health. Dentists choose a suitable care plan for patients and help them follow through with this plan. The services available include cleaning, extractions, crowns, fillings, etc. Due to the nature of the program, emergency services are not provided. Further information on the program, along with an application form can be downloaded from https://dentallifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Massachusetts.pdf.
Residents of Dorchester County can visit Upham’s Corner Health Center to access high quality dental services at low cost. The health center has a dental clinic that provides preventative and restorative dental services. Seniors who need surgical care are referred to oral surgeons for attention. Details on the dental clinic of Upham’s Corner Health Center can be found at https://uphamscornerhealthcenter.org/services-programs/dental/.
Utility Bills Assistance
Seniors in Massachusetts can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to get assistance with paying their utility bills. LIHEAP primarily focuses on settling the heating bills of low-income residents during the cold winter months. Eligibility for the program is determined by the income and asset value of seniors who apply. Seniors can visit the LIHEAP website at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap to find more information. Discounted services are also available for seniors who are already receiving some form of financial aid.
For households made up exclusively of seniors over the age of 65, the state prevents the electricity and gas companies from shutting off services. This comes in handy for elderly people who live independently and are unable to settle their utility bills. Households with other adults who are not seniors are also protected from disconnection from mid-November to mid-March. This period allows alternative payment plans and methods to be arranged, without causing the discomfort of disconnection from services. Seniors who are experiencing difficulties paying for their utilities are also advised to inform the vendor so that consideration can be given to their circumstances. For more details, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/help-paying-your-utility-bill.
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is similar to LIHEAP but is set up to pay the drinking and wastewater bills of challenged households. Seniors may be able to receive benefits of up to $450 to settle current and outstanding water utility payments. This program takes into account factors like household size, income, water requirements, etc. in order to determine a reasonable amount to be awarded. Additional details on LIHWAP can be found on the program page at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant.
Berkshire Gas is a local electricity company that functions across the state. This firm has a Residential Arrearage Management Program for low and moderate-income individuals. Older people who are facing financial challenges are prioritized by this program. Eligible candidates can get a monthly discount on their utility bills or their past due bills can be erased. Berkshire Gas also has another program called Energy Efficient Program. Qualified applicants can have all the necessary equipment at their homes to save energy. To learn about the details, please visit https://www.berkshiregas.com/ or dial 1 800 292 5012.
Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund was established by the Salvation Army to support low and moderate-income people. It provides monthly financial help on paying utility bills for people in need. Seniors who are looking for utility help may consider applying for this benefit. Find out more at http://www.magoodneighbor.org/ or by calling at 1 800 262 1320.
Food Assistance
Nutrition Program for Seniors is food assistance that is sponsored by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Although the main purpose of this program is to serve healthy and nutritious meals for senior residents, it also offers education and counseling regarding health eating awareness. It is a very comprehensive food support program that sends monthly food bags, daily hot meals, or mobile food pantries based on the applicant’s case. Adult people who are 60 years of age or older are eligible for this program. To learn more, please visit https://www.mass.gov/nutrition-program-for-seniors.
Healthy Eating for Successful Living is a food program that was formed by the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative. Apart from providing hot and cold meals for seniors in need, it offers training and courses about healthy eating habits considering the health conditions of applicants. It also prepares a healthy diet for eligible people. For more information, go to https://mahealthyagingcollaborative.org/stories/healthy-eating-for-successful-living/.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the most common way seniors can get access to additional food resources. SNAP provides monthly benefits which can be used to increase food budget and get access to healthy food items. Beneficiaries are issued an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card to which their monthly benefits are loaded. This card can be used like a regular debit card but will only allow the purchase of approved food items in participating grocery stores. Seniors are also encouraged to use their cards to purchase local produce, doing so will help them get as much as $80 back on the card per month through the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). A special SNAP application form for seniors aged 60 and above can be downloaded from https://www.mass.gov/doc/english-snap-application-for-seniors-snap-app-seniors-0/download.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts operates a program called Our Brown Bag: Food for Elders. This program provides groceries on a monthly basis to eligible seniors. The items packaged are healthy foods that will help seniors meet their nutrition needs. Seniors can visit https://www.foodbankwma.org/get-help/brown-bag-food-for-elders/ for more details on the program and distribution locations. A mobile food bank is also operated by the organization. This mobile food bank delivers fresh groceries to community sites on a truck so that seniors can get easy access to food. This program has no eligibility requirements and can be beneficial to seniors whose documented financial status prevents them from qualifying for other assistance options. More information on the mobile food bank is available at https://www.foodbankwma.org/get-help/mobile-food-bank/.
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) coordinates the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) in Massachusetts. This program provides monthly food packages to qualified low-income seniors to support their diets. GBFB partners with local agencies to get healthy and durable food items across to seniors in need. Volunteers also frequently add fresh fruits to the packs, improving the nutrition quality of each distribution. Details on the program, along with partner organizations can be found at https://www.gbfb.org/what-we-do/our-programs/commodity-supplemental-food-program/.
Transportation Assistance
The Councils on Aging in the state usually provide transport support services to the elderly. The transport options are available to help get seniors to and from medical appointments, senior centers, grocery stores, etc. Various types of transportation options exist to serve seniors with different needs. Long distance medical shuttles are provided across the state to help seniors in rural areas get access to quality medical care. These are listed at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-care-transportation.
Plymouth and Brockton (P&B) is a bus service agency that provides transit services across the state. The company offers different fare prices to accommodate seniors and buses are equipped with mobility devices. Seniors who require special assistance can call ahead to make a request and will be attended to throughout the trip. More information can be found at https://www.p-b.com/.
A & A Metro transportation is another transport agency with specialized services. Seniors can schedule non-emergency medical trips, general visits, etc. The company provides access to senior-friendly transportation, along with disability assistance. The drivers have basic first aid training and can attend to minor health challenges that may arise during a trip. Seniors who want to get more details on the programs offered can visit https://www.aametro.com/services/.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has fixed route scheduled services that run across the state, which includes bus and subway services. Elderly residents may qualify for discounted fares. Some of these fare discounts include Senior Charlie Card, Transportation Access Pass, etc. The MBTA also has a special program known as The RIDE. This program provides door-to-door transportation services for seniors. Transportation is provided as a shared ride with other passengers going in the same direction. The RIDE services allow flexibility of movement as the operating hours are from 5am to 1am. More details on the program can be obtained from https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/the-ride while other general information on MBTA can be found at https://www.mbta.com/.
Several other transportation options are available for seniors in the state. This includes volunteer services, taxi hires, curb-to-curb services, etc. They can all be accessed using a special search tool provided at https://massridematch.org/.
Charities and Organizations
The Friends of Dennis Senior Citizens, is a nonprofit organization that is committed to helping out elderly residents of Dennis. The organization provides assistance to seniors in various forms. Financial assistance is provided to help pay for medical bills, dental care, car repairs, home repairs, and other emergencies. Social activities are hosted to provide an avenue for socialization and exercise for healthy living. Apart from these direct programs, Friends of Dennis Senior Citizens funds aid programs hosted by other agencies. A full list of the services offered is available at https://friendsofdennisseniors.com/what-we-do/.
FriendshipWorks is another charity organization in the state. Services are available for seniors aged 60 and above; however, the age consideration may be reduced to 55 years if the individual suffers vision or hearing loss. Through the help of volunteers, seniors are able to get medical escorts who can take them to and from doctors’ appointments. Housekeeping assistance is also provided, with volunteers helping out with small chores around the house. Details of this charity organization can be found at https://fw4elders.org/.
Elderly Massachusetts residents can get assistance from Ethos. This is a private charity organization that provides services to promote the independence and well-being of seniors. Nutrition and feeding programs are available, to help older individuals get access to healthy food. Home assistance is also provided to those who cannot carry out certain essential functions alone. Seniors can visit https://www.ethocare.org/ for more information on Ethos.
Assistance for Senior Veterans
Veterans in Massachusetts who are experiencing hardship can apply for financial assistance under the Chapter 115 program. This initiative helps qualified low-income veterans with funds for basic expenses like food, clothing, housing supplies, medical care, shelter, support of dependent family members, etc. Veterans can get assistance of up to $1,000, or sometimes more, depending on individual cases. This assistance can be one-off or an ongoing assistance, based on need. Veterans who have interest in applying can use the calculator provided at https://massvetben.org/calculator/ to get an estimate of how much they may receive.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families is another program that can provide help to veterans in need. This program helps ensure housing stability and prevent homelessness among veterans in the state. Eligible applicants can get help with locating low-cost accommodation options, paying for rent, settling utility bills, etc. More details on the program are available at https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.html.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What financial assistance is available for seniors in Massachusetts? Seniors in Massachusetts can benefit from the Prescription Advantage program, which offers assistance with prescription drug costs, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help with food expenses. Additionally, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) supports seniors with heating and utility bills.
2. How can seniors apply for Medicaid in Massachusetts? Seniors can apply for MassHealth (Medicaid in Massachusetts) online through the Massachusetts Health Connector, by mail, or in person at MassHealth Enrollment Centers. Necessary documentation includes proof of age, income, residency, and assets.
3. What housing and rent assistance is available to seniors in Massachusetts? The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program for rental assistance. MassHousing also lists affordable housing options specifically for seniors.
4. Are there programs to assist with utility bills for seniors in Massachusetts? Yes, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial aid to eligible senior households for heating and utility bills, ensuring warmth and safety during cold months.
5. How can seniors get transportation assistance in Massachusetts? The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and other local transit services offer reduced fares for seniors. Additionally, many communities have specialized transportation programs for seniors, including rides to medical appointments and grocery shopping.
6. What health insurance counseling services are available for Massachusetts seniors? The SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program offers free health insurance counseling for Massachusetts seniors, helping them navigate Medicare, Medigap, and other health coverage options.
7. How do seniors in Massachusetts receive property tax relief? The Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit provides eligible seniors with a credit on their state taxes for real estate taxes or rent paid on their principal residence. Seniors can apply through their state tax return.
8. What legal assistance is available for seniors in Massachusetts? Massachusetts seniors can access free legal advice and representation through programs like the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, which covers issues such as healthcare, housing, and consumer rights.
9. Are there any nutritional programs specifically for seniors in Massachusetts? The Elderly Nutrition Program in Massachusetts provides meals to seniors through congregate dining sites and home-delivered meals programs like Meals on Wheels, aiming to ensure seniors have access to nutritious food.
10. How can seniors access in-home care services in Massachusetts? MassHealth offers several programs, including the Frail Elder Waiver, which provides in-home care services like personal care assistance, home modifications, and meal delivery to help seniors live independently in their homes.