Massachusetts Assistance and Aid Programs.
Find grants, aid and assistance in all cities and counties Massachusetts, including Boston and Worcester. In addition to the state programs below, there are also charities and aid organizations in Massachusetts that can provide you help with paying bills.
Assistance Programs
Health Safety Net Fund (Free Care)
The Health Safety Net is a health care aid program. It will provide help for people who are not eligible for health insurance or people who cannot afford health insurance. Massachusetts residents who qualify for the Safety Net can get medically necessary health services hospitals as well as community health centers in Massachusetts either at no charge or at a reduced charge. 508-860-7700
MassHealth
MassHealth is a public health insurance program for residents of Massachusetts. 1-888-665-9993
Commonwealth Care
Commonwealth Care is a Massachusetts state-funded health insurance program that covers uninsured low and moderate-income Massachusetts residents who do not qualify for MassHealth aid above. 1-877-623-6765
Help with Mortgage and Foreclosure Prevention
Massachusetts also has a mortgage assistance program that will aid residents with refinancing a mortgage, and it also helps prevent mortgage foreclosures. More.
Numerous non-profit agencies that are HUD certified may be able to provide homeowners with free or low cost solutions to paying their mortgage or avoiding a foreclosure. Find a list. Learn more.
CenterCare
Provides free healthcare and will pay medical bills for lower income MA residents with chronic illnesses or medical conditions. Find additional ways to get help with medical bills and debts. 1-800-475-8455. Learn more.
Prescription Advantage
Prescription Advantage is a state-sponsored prescription drug insurance plan for both Massachusetts disabled residents and seniors who meet eligibility requirements. 1-800-243-4636
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program
A rental assistance program available in Massachusetts that offers tenant-based vouchers, which are known as Mobile. These vouchers can be used to help pay rent for any housing unit that meets the standards of the state sanitary code. (617) 573-1150
Medical Security Program
An assistance program that helps middle-and lower-income unemployed state residents pay their health insurance premiums and bills. This state program will pay up to 80 percent of a laid-off worker's monthly health insurance premium for about a year. 1-800-908-8801
SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The SNAP program will help low-income Massachusetts households pay for food so that they can have a healthy diet and still have money to pay other bills. 1-866-950-FOOD
DTA Child Care Services
DTA child care is low cost or free child care for current and former TAFDC families. The DTA child care program is for families who are looking for a job, working, in an approved education or job training program, or disabled. 1-800-249-2007
Free Legal Aid
Qualified families and individuals in Massachusetts can receive free legal advice and assistance from non-profit law firms across the state. Lawyers will offer their services to people in need of help. Click here to read more.
Financial counseling, budgeting, and debt reduction
Families in Massachusetts who are struggling to pay their bills and debts may qualify for free or low cost debt management and credit counseling. Non-profits operate across the state and provide this resource. More on Massachusetts credit counseling.
Income-eligible Child Care
Income-eligible child care aid is low price, subsidized child care for low-income non-TAFDC families who are looking for work, working, disabled, or in an education or job training program. The amount a family pays for child care will depends on family size and income.
Community Partnerships for Children
The Community Partnerships for Children will assist Massachusetts families with paying for needed preschool programs for their children. 617-349-4038
RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition)
The RAFT programs helps families who are behind on their rent, mortgage payments, heating, or utility bills. RAFT will also assist families who have to move but do not have enough money to pay some of the costs involved, such as utility startup costs, a security deposit, or first/last month's rent. Families can get up to $3000 in aid to apply towards rent or expenses. 1-800-224-5124
Prescription Advantage
This medical assistance program will help pay for prescription drugs for the disabled and the elderly. There are some low cost premiums, deductibles and also co-payments there are based on household income. 800-243-4636
Emergency Aid to Elders, Disabled and Children (EAEDC)
EAEDC will provide cash grants and other benefits to low-income elders, children, and disabled in Massachusetts. EAEDC aid is for individuals and families who do not qualify for other cash assistance programs. 617-573-1600
Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
TAFDC is a government assistance program that gives benefits and cash assistance to low-income families with dependent children.
Health Care Centers and Clinics
While Massachusetts does have a health care law, the low income have other options for free or low cost medical or dental assistance. Clinics can help those in need. Read more on Massachusetts community clinics.
Find how to get help from dental clinics. Oral care, checks ups, and other forms of assistance are provided by dental care centers. Click here.
Food Bank and Distribution Centers
Non-profit organizations located throughout the region can provide free or low cost food, groceries, and other support to people facing a hardship. Click here to get more information.
Assistance From Massachusetts Counties and Cities
Heating and energy bill assistance is offered both at the county level (below) and also directly from energy companies. Learn more.
Barnstable County
Berkshire County (Pittsfield)
Bristol County (Taunton)
Dukes County (Edgartown)
Essex County (Salem and Lawrence)
•Gloucester programs
•The North Shore, including Salem, Peabody, Beverly and Danvers. Continue
Franklin County (Greenfield)
Hampden County (Springfield)
Hampshire County (Northampton)
Middlesex County (Cambridge)
•Agencies focused on Somerville
•Areas north of Boston, including Medford, Malden, and Everett. More.
•Rent assistance non-profits in Middlesex County Massachusetts.
•Food banks in Middlesex. More.
Nantucket
Norfolk County (Dedham)
•Food pantries
•Norfolk rent assistance agencies and non-profits
Plymouth County (Plymouth and Brockton)
Suffolk County (Boston)
•Boston focused non-profits and financial assistance programs
•Information on Boston foreclosure prevention agencies
•Boston food banks
•Head Start in Boston
•Community clinics in Boston area.
Worcester County
•Agencies that focus on rent help in Worcester.
Massachusetts Heating and Utility Bill Assistance
In addition to the programs below, click here for more information on emergency grants and weatherization programs in Massachusetts that are available from utility and gas companies.
Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program
In partnership with CITGO, Citizens Energy works closely with thousands of local fuel assistance agencies and oil heat dealers in 17 states to provide deliveries of home heating oil to those who need help. This year, this heating assistance program provided qualified families a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of home heating oil.
Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund
This organization will provide energy assistance to Massachusetts residents who are in a temporary crisis and who may be struggling to pay their heating or utility bills and do not qualify for federal or state energy funds. More on the Good Neighbor Energy Fund.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This will help lower income families pay their heating bills. The aid program is for both renters and homeowners. Most households will also qualify for utility discounts, weatherization, and emergency furnace repairs.
Utility Arrearage Programs
This program will aid families with paying overdue utility bills. Utility arrearage programs will help both households prevent utility shutoffs and also restore utility service that has already been shut off.
Utility Discounts
Massachusetts electric, gas, and telephone companies will offer reduced rates to lower income customers who receive public assistance benefits and who also meet income limits. Qualified customers will receive a 20% to 40% discount on their electric and gas rates, and they will also receive a discount on basic local telephone service and installation.
EnergyBucks
Several assistance programs exist that help Massachusetts residents with paying their energy bills. These programs assist with energy efficiency services, fuel assistance, and they will also help families save on their utility bills. Several of Massachusett's utility companies have partnered together, with the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) and also the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) to offer assistance and aid programs to eligible households. This program is known as Energy Bucks.
•Discount rates on energy bills: Families can receive discounted rates on utility and heating bills that will reduce what you need to pay for the services that you use.
•Fuel assistance: Subsidies and aid is provided to help lower the price you pay for utility bills and heating fuel.
•Energy efficiency services: Energy saving advice and weatherization services are offered that will help you with conserving energy.
Utility Shutoff Protection
Massachusetts laws will prevent utility and gas companies from shutting off service to households that are in special situations. These protected households include low-income families with infants, senior households, and also people with serious illnesses who can't afford to pay their heating or utility bills. Also, importantly, during the winter months, utility companies can't turn off heating related utilities for any households with a financial hardship.
MassSAVE
An energy savings program for Massachusetts renters and homeowners and renters. MassSAVE will offer energy saving tips and information about energy-saving products, free home energy assessments, and rebates, loans, and other incentives for energy-saving home improvements.
