Benefits
Massachusetts Benefits for Older Adults
Massachusetts has many programs that can help older adults pay for health care, drugs, food, energy bills, and property taxes on their home. This page lists each kind of help in Massachusetts, what it pays for, and where to apply. The state or county agency makes the final decision on who gets help. You may qualify even if you own your home or get Social Security.
Kinds of benefits in Massachusetts
The agency decides who qualifies. The limits below are the published figures — use them to see whether applying is worth your time.
Social Security in Massachusetts
Social Security pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities, and families of workers who have died. You can apply online, by phone, or at a local office. Bring proof of age, your Social Security number, and recent tax or work records. The Social Security Administration decides if you may qualify and how much you get.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| What it covers | Retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, and Medicare enrollment. |
| How to apply | Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medicaid for Older Massachusetts Residents (MassHealth Standard)
Medicaid in Massachusetts is called MassHealth. For people 65 or older, MassHealth Standard can pay for care that Medicare does not pay for, like long stays in a nursing home, help at home, and hospice. In 2026, the income limit is $1,330 a month for one person, with assets up to $2,000. If you get SSI, you get MassHealth on your own. MassHealth decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | MassHealth (Executive Office of Health and Human Services); SSI recipients get MassHealth on their own |
| What it covers | Health care Medicare does not pay for on its own, including long nursing home stays, help at home, some dental care, rides to care, and hospice. |
| How to apply | Apply through MA Health Connector / MassHealth, by phone, or with the Senior Application (SAIL) form. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: MassHealth Standard limits for people 65 or older living in the community, from the 2026 MassHealth Income Standards in effect March 1, 2026 (100 percent of the poverty level).; Resources: Couple: 3000; Individual: 2000; Monthly income: Couple: 1804; Individual: 1330 |
| Source | MassHealth (Executive Office of Health and Human Services); SSI recipients get MassHealth on their own (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medicare Savings Programs in Massachusetts (MassHealth Buy-In)
Medicare Savings Programs in Massachusetts help pay Medicare costs, and the limits are higher here than in most states. In 2026, QMB goes up to $2,527 a month for one person and pays premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. SLMB and QI go up to $2,993 and pay the Part B premium. There is no test of your savings. MassHealth decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | MassHealth (also called Senior Buy-In and Buy-In) |
| What it covers | QMB pays Medicare Part A and Part B premiums plus deductibles and coinsurance. SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium only. |
| How to apply | Apply through MassHealth with the Medicare Savings Program application. |
| Limits 2026 | Qmb: Couple: 3427; Individual: 2527; Note: 2026 MassHealth Income Standards, in effect March 1, 2026. QMB up to 190 percent of the poverty level; SLMB and QI share one ceiling at 225 percent. There is NO asset test for any Medicare Savings Program in Massachusetts (none since March 1, 2024).; Slmb qi: Couple: 4058; Individual: 2993 |
| Source | MassHealth (also called Senior Buy-In and Buy-In) (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
SNAP Food Benefits in Massachusetts
SNAP in Massachusetts puts money on a card each month to help buy food. Most households may qualify with gross income up to $2,660 a month for one person. If someone in the home is age 60 or older or has a disability, there is no gross test, only a net income test. The most one person can get is $306 a month. DTA decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) |
| What it covers | Monthly money on an EBT card to buy food. |
| How to apply | Apply through DTA Connect, by phone, or at a DTA office. |
| Limits 2026 27 | Note: Massachusetts uses broad-based categorical eligibility at 200 percent of the poverty level (federal SNAP standards, October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027). The Mass.gov 130 percent standard ($1,729 for one person) applies only to households that are not categorically eligible. Households with a person age 60 or older or with a disability skip the gross test.; Net monthly: Couple: 1804; Individual: 1330; Max allotment: Couple: 562; Individual: 306; Gross monthly bbce: Couple: 3608; Individual: 2660 |
| Source | Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Massachusetts
SSI pays each month to people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have low income and few savings. The federal rate in 2026 is $994 a month for one person, and Massachusetts adds a state payment on top. If you get SSI in Massachusetts, you get MassHealth on your own. The Social Security Administration decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA); Massachusetts adds a state supplement |
| What it covers | Monthly payments for people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have low income and few resources. People who get SSI in Massachusetts get MassHealth on their own, with no separate application. |
| How to apply | Apply with the Social Security Administration online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local office. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: The federal SSI rate for 2026 is $994 a month for one person. Massachusetts pays a state supplement on top of the federal payment. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA); Massachusetts adds a state supplement (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Extra Help With Medicare Drug Costs in Massachusetts
Extra Help lowers the cost of Medicare drug plans. It can pay part of the premium and lower what you pay for each drug. You can apply with Social Security online or by phone. If you get a Medicare Savings Program or SSI, you are signed up on your own. Social Security decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA); state drug help information through SHINE |
| What it covers | Help paying Medicare Part D drug plan premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. |
| How to apply | Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. People in a Medicare Savings Program are signed up on their own. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA); state drug help information through SHINE (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Energy Help in Massachusetts (HEAP / LIHEAP)
HEAP is the Massachusetts name for LIHEAP. It helps pay winter heating bills. For fiscal year 2026, a one-person household can earn up to $51,777 a year, and the top benefit for oil or propane heat is $1,400. Apply with your local community action agency. The agency decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, through local community action agencies |
| What it covers | Help paying winter heating bills for oil, propane, kerosene, gas, and electric heat, plus a high energy cost supplement for some homes. |
| How to apply | Apply with your local community action agency during the heating season. |
| Limits fy2026 | Note: Fiscal Year 2026 HEAP chart (Massachusetts EOHLC, March 2026): a one-person household can earn up to $51,777 a year (60 percent of the state median income). Top benefit for deliverable fuel (oil, propane, kerosene) is $1,400 for homeowners and renters who pay their own heat. |
| Source | Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, through local community action agencies (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Property Tax Relief for Older Massachusetts Homeowners
Massachusetts seniors can cut property tax in two ways. Clause 41C takes $500 off your bill, and many towns make it $1,000. You must be 70, or 65 if your town voted to lower the age, and your income and savings must be low. The Senior Circuit Breaker is a state tax credit of up to $2,820 if your tax is more than 10 percent of your income. Ask your local assessors which help you may qualify for.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Your city or town assessors (Clause 41C) and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (Senior Circuit Breaker credit) |
| What it covers | Clause 41C takes $500 off the yearly tax bill, and many towns make it $1,000. The Senior Circuit Breaker is a refundable state tax credit when property tax is more than 10 percent of income. |
| note | Clause 41C: age 70, or age 65 where the town voted to lower it; income and asset limits are set by each town (statute starts at $13,000 single / $15,000 married income). Senior Circuit Breaker, tax year 2025: credit up to $2,820, income up to $75,000 for a single filer, $94,000 head of household, $112,000 married filing jointly (Massachusetts Department of Revenue). |
| How to apply | Apply for Clause 41C with your local assessors each year by April 1. Claim the Circuit Breaker credit with Schedule CB on your state tax return. |
| Source | Your city or town assessors (Clause 41C) and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (Senior Circuit Breaker credit) (budget.digital.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Aging Services in Massachusetts (ASAPs and MassOptions)
Aging services in Massachusetts run through local agencies called ASAPs. They can set up home care, meals, rides, and support for family caregivers. Call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636 and a specialist will connect you to the right local agency. Tell them what help you need at home. The agency will tell you what you may qualify for.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Executive Office of Aging & Independence and 23 regional Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) |
| What it covers | Home care, meals, rides, caregiver support, and help finding local services for older adults. |
| How to apply | Call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636 to reach your local ASAP. |
| Source | Executive Office of Aging & Independence and 23 regional Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Free Medicare Counseling in Massachusetts (SHINE)
SHINE gives free Medicare help in Massachusetts. SHINE is the state name for the federal SHIP program. Trained counselors can explain your plan choices, compare drug costs, and help you apply for programs that pay Medicare costs. The help is free and the counselors do not sell plans. Call 1-800-243-4636 and ask for SHINE.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone), Executive Office of Aging & Independence — the Massachusetts SHIP |
| What it covers | Free, one-on-one help to compare Medicare plans, drug plans, and Medicare Savings Programs. |
| How to apply | Call 1-800-243-4636 (1-800-AGE-INFO) and ask for SHINE. |
| Source | SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone), Executive Office of Aging & Independence — the Massachusetts SHIP (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Applying for Benefits in Massachusetts (DTA and MassHealth)
You can apply for most Massachusetts benefits through two doors. DTA handles SNAP food help and cash help, online through DTA Connect or at a DTA office. MassHealth handles health coverage and help with Medicare costs. Bring proof of who you are, where you live, your income, and your bills. Each agency decides if you may qualify for its programs.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and MassHealth |
| What it covers | DTA is the place to apply for SNAP and cash help. MassHealth is the place to apply for health coverage and Medicare Savings Programs. |
| How to apply | Apply for SNAP through DTA Connect or a DTA office. Apply for MassHealth through the MA Health Connector or by phone. |
| Source | Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and MassHealth (www.mass.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Good to know in Massachusetts
- Medicaid in Massachusetts is called MassHealth. For people 65 or older who live at home, MassHealth Standard lists income up to $1,330 a month for one person and $1,804 for a couple, with assets up to $2,000 or $3,000 (2026 MassHealth Income Standards, in effect March 1, 2026). People who get SSI get MassHealth on their own.
- Massachusetts Medicare Savings Programs go much higher than the federal floor. QMB goes up to $2,527 a month for one person (190 percent of the poverty level), and SLMB or QI goes up to $2,993 (225 percent), in effect March 1, 2026 (2026 MassHealth Income Standards). Massachusetts has NO asset test for these programs, and has not had one since March 1, 2024.
- Food help in Massachusetts is SNAP, run by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). Most households may qualify with gross income up to 200 percent of the poverty level, which is $2,660 a month for one person, and the most one person can get is $306 a month (federal SNAP standards, October 2026 to September 2027). Households with a person age 60 or older skip the gross test.
- Energy help in Massachusetts is the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), the state name for LIHEAP. For fiscal year 2026, a one-person household can earn up to $51,777 a year, and the top benefit for oil, propane, or kerosene heat is $1,400 (Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, FY2026 HEAP chart).
- Massachusetts property tax relief for seniors has two main parts. Clause 41C takes $500 off the tax bill (many towns make it $1,000) for homeowners age 70, or age 65 where the town voted to lower the age, with low income and assets set by the town. The Senior Circuit Breaker is a refundable state tax credit of up to $2,820 for tax year 2025, for people age 65 or older whose property tax is more than 10 percent of income, with income up to $75,000 for one person (Massachusetts Department of Revenue). Apply for Clause 41C with your local assessors, and claim the credit on your state tax return.
Free local help
Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost: