Massachusetts grants
& benefits: MassHealth, Circuit Breaker and Chapter 115.

Prescription Advantage, the state drug plan run by the Executive Office of Aging & Independence, stopped accepting new applications after September 11, 2026. People already enrolled keep their membership, so the program now serves existing members only.

Under its regulation, 651 CMR 15.00, members are residents not eligible for MassHealth who are 65 or older with Medicare, or younger people with a qualifying disability who work no more than 40 hours a month and have income no higher than 188% of federal poverty guidelines.

Members can call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636 and choose option 3, and can report an income change on a self-attestation form. For anyone new who needs drug cost help, the next stop is the Medicare Savings Programs below, which also enroll you in federal Extra Help.

MassHealth runs the Medicare Savings Programs, once called MassHealth Buy-In, and you do not have to be a MassHealth member to apply. Since March 1, 2024, Massachusetts has had no asset limit for these programs, so savings do not count against you.

Income sets the level. QMB, for income of 190% of the poverty guideline or less, pays the Part B premium (and Part A, if you owe one) plus Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Up to 225%, SLMB or QI pays the Part B premium. Both add Health Safety Net coverage and Part D Extra Help.

MassHealth says the application takes about 5 minutes, on paper or as a fillable PDF. Income limits change each March 1. A free SHINE counselor can walk you through it at (800) 243-4636, and MassHealth Customer Service is at (800) 841-2900.

The Senior Circuit Breaker is a refundable state income tax credit for residents 65 or older by December 31 who own or rent their main home. For tax year 2025 it is worth up to $2,820, and any amount above your tax bill comes back as a refund.

Owners qualify when property tax plus half of water and sewer charges tops 10% of total income; renters count 25% of rent. Income cannot exceed $75,000 single, $94,000 head of household or $112,000 joint, and a home's assessed value $1,298,000 or less.

Renters with a federal or state rent subsidy, or who rent from a tax-exempt owner, cannot claim it. Attach Schedule CB to the return; many full-year residents can file free on MassTaxConnect. A missed year can be claimed up to three years after the filing deadline.

The Child and Family Tax Credit pays $440 for each dependent child under 13, dependent or spouse with a disability, or dependent 65 or older. There is no cap on how many you count. Married people filing separately and full-year nonresidents cannot take it.

MassHealth says most members will not be affected and it will contact those who are. From October 2026 some immigrants who are in the U.S. legally lose MassHealth eligibility. From January 2027 some members face work and education rules or renewals every six months.

The work rule mainly reaches adults 19 through 64 without young children, a disability or a serious medical condition. It is met with 80 hours a month of work, volunteering or job training, half-time school, or income of $580 or more a month. It starts at the first 2027 renewal.

At the Health Connector, ConnectorCare Plan Type 3D for incomes of 400 to 500% of poverty was not offered in 2026. Plan Type 3C, for 300 to 400%, stays available through the end of 2026. To be covered from January 1, 2027, pick a plan and pay by December 23.

Starting with tax year 2026, the caps on repaying excess advance premium tax credit are gone. If your income rises during the year, update your account or take less credit each month to avoid a large bill at tax time.

Chapter 115 is the state's needs-based safety net for veterans and their dependents, overseen by the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS). It can cover daily living expenses, medical costs, rent help, support of dependents and homelessness prevention.

Veterans eligible for these benefits can now use them for outpatient behavioral health care and prescriptions, including psychiatric and substance use treatment. Inpatient hospital stays are not covered. Some towns pay by direct deposit; others mail a check.

You apply through the veterans' service officer (VSO) in your city or town. The EOVS benefit estimator at vets.mass.gov gives a first read on eligibility. If you cannot reach your local VSO, call EOVS at (617) 210-5480.

DTA runs SNAP. Apply on DTA Connect, by phone at (877) 382-2363, or on a separate application for people 60 and older. DTA lists a gross income limit of $2,660 monthly for a single person and $5,500 when four people share the household. A decision comes within 30 days, or 7 for emergency SNAP.

A Massachusetts extra is the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which puts $40, $60 or $80 a month back on your EBT card when you buy local produce from HIP vendors. EBT cards have moved to chip and tap; activate yours by November 29 with a purchase or at 1-800-997-2555.

HEAP, the state's LIHEAP program, helps pay heating costs from November 1 to April 30, paid directly to your vendor. The FY 2027 limit is $53,585 for a one-person household and $103,049 for a family of four. Apply every year online, by mail or at your local agency.

Renters with heat included in the rent can apply too, and the same form covers heating system repair (HEARTWAP) and weatherization. The Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175 finds your agency.