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Benefits Programs

Benefits Programs

Benefits programs can help ease financial concerns for people with disabilities. Some of them are listed below.

Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) 

State funded program which provides cash assistance to those in need to stabilize their lives. Recipients receive EAEDC by meeting the following eligibility criteria.
Meet certain requirements including one or more of the following:

  • Unable to work due to a physical or mental incapacity which has lasted or will last at least 60 days and meets the Department-established medical standards for disability
  • Over 65 years old and waiting for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to begin
  • Caring for a child living in the home and not related to the individual
  • Participating in a MassAbility program
  • Required to be in the home to care for an incapacitated individual who would have to be institutionalized if someone does not provide the care in the home
  • Meet income and asset limits
  • Be a U.S. citizen or a legal immigrant

To apply, contact the Department of Transitional Assistance toll free at (877) 382-2363 or your local Transitional Assistance Office.

Food Stamps 

Also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If you have low income and low assets, regardless of your disability status, you can receive a food stamps “credit card” that you use at the grocery store to pay for a certain dollar amount of food every month. 

Call the FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to speak with a counselor who can help you.

Project Bread’s  Getting SNAP Website 

Project Bread’s counselors can tell you if you are eligible or not, and help you apply.

Get Help: Project Bread Food Source Hotline

Connects people in need of a variety of food resources such as food pantries, soup kitchens and Meals on Wheels. Call 800-645-8333 (v) or 800-377-1292 (TTY), Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM to locate food sources in your area. Food assistance in 180 languages.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)

Programs funded by the Social Security Administration to provide income to people who are unable to work due to a disability. Both programs have the same definition of disability: you must be totally unable to work for a year or more, or your condition must be expected to result in death. (Note: Children with a disability are also eligible for SSI, but instead of inability to work they are awarded benefits on their inability to do all the same social, educational, and developmental activities of other kids their age.) Keep in mind, most people who apply for SSI/SSDI are turned down the first time. If you get denied initially, it is important to resubmit your application.

  • SSI is for people who have low income and low assets. Once you are approved for SSI you will also receive Medicaid (MassHealth), health insurance for people who have low income.
  • SSDI is based on your work history (having paid in to Social Security) and not on your income or asset level. Two years after being approved for SSDI you will receive Medicare, government funded health care for people who are elders or who have a disability.

To apply for either program, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or TTY: 800-325-0778.

SSA Disability Starter Kit  – The Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available on the SSA website for adults and for children under age 18.

Fact Sheet last updated on: 9/30/2024

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Disclaimer: INDEX is pleased to provide you this information. Please note, this information is not comprehensive, nor is it intended to take the place of professional advice. We encourage you to check other resources of such information. No endorsement by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, DisabilityInfo.org,  INDEX, or affiliates, should be inferred. We reserve the right to remove, to modify, or to add any information at any time, for any reason, and without notice.