Last updated: September 30, 2026
If money is tight or your health, family, or housing needs have changed, Massachusetts has benefits programs that can help. Food, health coverage, heating bills, cash aid, tax credits, and disability income are all covered below. Most applications start at Mass.gov or DTA Connect, and this guide shows you where to go.
Massachusetts benefits programs at a glance
Program | What it helps with | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
SSDI | Monthly income when a disability stops you from working | Social Security, or with Turnout's help |
SSI | Monthly income for people with low income who are disabled, blind, or older | Social Security, or with Turnout's help |
VA Disability | Monthly payments for veterans with service-connected conditions | VA, with help from your local VSO |
Medicaid | Free or low-cost health coverage (MassHealth) | Mass.gov or the Health Connector |
ACA Subsidies | Lower-cost private health plans (ConnectorCare) | Massachusetts Health Connector |
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy | Health coverage at 65 or with a disability, and help using it | Social Security, or with Turnout's help |
SNAP | Monthly money for groceries | DTA Connect |
WIC | Food and nutrition help for pregnant people, babies, and young children | Mass.gov online form |
LIHEAP | Help paying heating bills (HEAP) | Mass.gov or your local agency |
TANF | Cash aid for families with children (TAFDC) | DTA Connect |
EITC | A tax credit for working people with lower income | Your federal and state tax returns |
Child Tax Credit | A tax credit for families with children | Your federal tax return |
Child Care Assistance (CCAP) | Help paying for child care | Mass.gov or Mass 211 |
IEP / Education Advocacy | Special education services for a child with a disability | Your school district, or with Turnout's help |
Disability and income
SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays monthly income to people who worked and paid Social Security taxes but now cannot work because of a disability. In Massachusetts, you apply through the Social Security Administration (SSA), and a state office called MassAbility Disability Determination Services (DDS) reviews the medical side of your claim. The paperwork can feel like a lot, but you do not have to do it alone: you can apply for SSDI with Turnout and get one-on-one help from start to finish.
Official resources: SSA disability benefits, SSA 2026 cost-of-living adjustment fact sheet, MassAbility Disability Determination Services
SSI
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly payment for people with little income and few resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Massachusetts adds its own money on top of the federal payment through the State Supplement Program (SSP), run by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). You apply for federal SSI first, and the state supplement follows. Where you live and who helps with your bills can affect your payment. You can apply for SSI with Turnout for one-on-one support.
Official resources: SSA Supplemental Security Income, How living arrangements affect SSI, Massachusetts State Supplement Program
VA Disability
VA Disability compensation is a monthly, tax-free payment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans with health conditions caused or made worse by military service. Massachusetts law requires every city and town to have a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), overseen by the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS). Your VSO can walk you through your VA claim for free and check whether you qualify for state help like Chapter 115 benefits. To get started, find your local Veterans Service Officer.
Official resources: VA disability compensation rates, Massachusetts property tax exemptions for veterans, MASSVETS veteran financial benefits
Health coverage
Medicaid
Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income, and in Massachusetts it is called MassHealth. MassHealth also includes the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and because the state expanded Medicaid, many adults without children can qualify too. MassHealth and the Health Connector share one application, so you fill it out once to see which coverage fits. You can apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a MassHealth Enrollment Center. Start with the state's guide on how to apply for MassHealth.
Official resources: Information for MassHealth applicants, Medicaid.gov Massachusetts state profile
ACA Subsidies
ACA subsidies are federal tax credits that lower the monthly cost of a private health plan bought through a marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. Massachusetts runs its own marketplace, the Health Connector, instead of HealthCare.gov. The state also offers ConnectorCare plans, which combine federal help with extra state help for lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Open enrollment starts in the fall, but ConnectorCare takes applications year-round, and a qualifying life change lets you apply any time. Compare plans and apply through the Massachusetts Health Connector.
Official resources: ConnectorCare plans, HealthCare.gov guide to saving money on health insurance
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy
Medicare is federal health coverage for people 65 and older and for many people who receive SSDI. You sign up for Parts A and B through Social Security and choose drug or Medicare Advantage plans on Medicare.gov. Massachusetts offers free Medicare counseling through the SHINE program, run by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence. If you have Medicare and feel lost in bills, denials, or referrals, you can get healthcare advocacy from Turnout for one-on-one help understanding your coverage and getting the care you need.
Official resources: Medicare.gov, Social Security Medicare enrollment, Massachusetts SHINE program
Food and nutrition
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps, puts money on an EBT card each month to buy groceries. In Massachusetts, SNAP is run by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). DTA must decide on your application within 30 days, and households with very little money may get benefits within 7 days. You can also call the DTA Assistance Line or visit a local office, but the fastest path is to apply for SNAP on DTA Connect, where you can upload documents and check your case later.
Official resources: DTA guide to applying for SNAP, USDA SNAP overview
WIC
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) provides healthy food, nutrition advice, and breastfeeding support for pregnant and postpartum people, babies, and children under 5. In Massachusetts, WIC is run by the Department of Public Health through more than 100 local offices. To get started, you fill out a short online form, and a WIC staff member calls you back to finish the process and set up your first visit. If you already get MassHealth, SNAP, or TAFDC, that can help show you qualify. Start by applying for WIC online.
Official resources: Massachusetts WIC locations, USDA WIC overview
Home and cash help
LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating bills so you can keep your home warm through the winter. In Massachusetts it is called the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), run by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities through local agencies. Applications open October 1 each year, and the program covers heating costs from November 1 through April 30. Renters and homeowners can both qualify, even if heat is included in your rent. To get started, apply for HEAP fuel assistance online or through your local agency.
Official resources: Home energy assistance in Massachusetts
TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) gives monthly cash to families with children who are going through a hard time. In Massachusetts, the program is called Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and is run by DTA. Pregnant people can also apply. Along with cash, TAFDC connects you to MassHealth, child care help, job training, and transportation support. DTA decides within 30 days. You can apply for TAFDC online through DTA Connect, by phone, or at a local DTA office.
Official resources: DTA cash benefits, ACF TANF help for families directory
Tax credits
EITC
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal tax credit for working people with low to moderate income, which means it can put money back in your pocket even if you owe no tax. Massachusetts adds its own state EITC, claimed on your Massachusetts income tax return. You claim both credits when you file your federal and state returns, and free filing options can help you do that at no cost. Learn who qualifies from the IRS Earned Income Tax Credit page.
Official resources: IRS tax year 2026 inflation adjustments, IRS Free File, Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit is a federal tax credit for families with qualifying children, and part of it may be refundable. Massachusetts also has its own Child and Family Tax Credit, run by the Department of Revenue, for families with young children, dependents age 65 or older, or dependents with disabilities. There is no separate application: you claim the federal credit on Form 1040 and the state credit on your Massachusetts return. Start with the IRS Child Tax Credit page to see if your child qualifies.
Official resources: IRS Free File, Massachusetts Child and Family Tax Credit
Children and education
Child Care Assistance (CCAP)
Child care assistance helps families pay for child care so parents can work or go to school. In Massachusetts, it is called Child Care Financial Assistance and is run by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). The state uses one statewide waitlist, and families experiencing homelessness or with a child who has a disability may get priority. When funding is available, you receive an offer and enroll with a provider. You can apply for child care financial assistance online, by calling Mass 211, or in person.
Official resources: EEC child care financial assistance, Federal Office of Child Care
IEP / Education Advocacy
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan of special education services for a child with a disability, required under the federal IDEA law. In Massachusetts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) oversees special education under state rules known as 603 CMR 28.00. You start by asking your school district in writing for an evaluation. If you disagree with the school or feel lost in meetings, you can get education advocacy from Turnout for one-on-one support with evaluations and IEP meetings.
Official resources: U.S. Department of Education IDEA site, DESE special education, Massachusetts special education regulations 603 CMR 28.00
What this means for you
- Start with the program that matches your biggest need right now, such as food, health coverage, or heat.
- Gather the basics: photo ID, proof of address, recent pay stubs or benefit letters, and Social Security numbers for your household.
- Apply through the official links above, and note the date you applied and any case number.
- If a form feels overwhelming or you get a denial, ask for help. You have the right to appeal.
FAQ
Can I apply for MassHealth and SNAP at the same time?
Yes, but they use different systems. MassHealth shares one application with the Health Connector, while SNAP and TAFDC go through DTA Connect. Approval for one program can make it easier to show you qualify for others, like WIC.
When does Massachusetts fuel assistance open?
HEAP applications open October 1 every year, and the program covers heating costs from November 1 through April 30. You can apply online or through your local agency. Applying early in the fall helps your aid arrive before the coldest months.
Does Massachusetts add anything to federal benefits?
Yes, the state pays a supplement on top of federal SSI, offers its own EITC and Child and Family Tax Credit, and runs ConnectorCare plans with extra help beyond federal subsidies. Check the official links above for current rules. Turnout is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice.
It's your turn
You do not have to sort through 14 programs on your own. Run Turnout's free Massachusetts benefits scan to see which programs may fit your situation. From there, Turnout can help you take the next step.