Need a CharlieCard or a CharlieTicket?

People 65 and older are eligible for reduced MBTA fares with a Senior CharlieCard. These cards are valid for 8 years.

New Reduced Fare CharlieCards for Seniors

The MBTA will no longer distribute personalized Senior CharlieCards that include images, names, and expiration dates. Riders who apply for a new or replacement Senior CharlieCard will receive the new, unpersonalized Reduced Fare CharlieCards for Seniors. Riders with personalized Senior CharlieCards will be able to use them until their expiration date.

Senior CharlieCards can be loaded with:

• Cash value for roughly 50% reduced one-way fares
• $10 7-Day LinkPasses
• $30 monthly LinkPasses

Your card can also be used to purchase reduced monthly passes for Commuter Rail, Ferry, and Express Bus.

Learn more about reduced fare prices

>>Click HERE to Link to MBTA.com for Additional Info on Senior Charlie Cards>>

Are you an older adult living at home? • Are you caring for a person with a disability? • Do you need help finding local services in the community? MASS OPTIONS Your link to community services

Are you an older adult living at home? • Are you caring for a person with a disability? • Do you need help finding local services in the community?

>>Click HERE to link to the MassOptions.org>> 

>>MassOptions Can Help! FAQs Frequently Asked Questions> 

>>Click HERE for Printable Version or to read publication>>

Medicare and Home Health Care

>>Click here for Printable Version or to read publication>>

Home Care - Executive Office of Health and Human Services … Aging Resources ...Home Care Program

>>Click HERE to link to the Mass.gov for Additional Info>>

Cost Share Guidelines for Home Care

Home care services are open to all. Some have specific eligibility requirements related to residency, age and functional needs.

Any older adult or individual with a disability is eligible for a free in-home assessment and information based on community resources and their specific needs. Cost share amounts for supportive services through the Home Care program are determined based on income.

Cost Share Guidelines:

Age & Residence

60 years and older or under 60 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and in need of respite services. Consumers must be living at home in Massachusetts and not in an institutional setting or Assisted Living Residence.

Financial

MassHealth members are financially eligible. Income guidelines require Annual Gross Income less than $2,901.00/month or $34, 812.00/year in calendar year 2025.

Monthly Co-payments

$10 - $141 for individuals with incomes that range from $15,848-$35,601

$14 - $199 for two person (married) income that range from $21,342-$50,374

See specific cost-share schedules below.

Percent Based Co-payment: (For those with a higher income than those listed above.) 

50% - 100% of the cost of services received monthly, based on a person's individualized care plan.

See specific cost-share schedules below.

 

Note on Percent Based Co-payment: Each person's care needs are different and can change based on a variety of factors. This can affect the type of services necessary to support care needs and the cost of services. A regional elder care agency, that works in partnership with the State Home Care Program, will work with you to access services based on your care needs and goals. 

Voluntary Co-Payment and Cost Sharing Schedules

Issue Date: 2/25/25                                                                                       

Effective Date: 3/28/25

Voluntary Co-Payment:

Family Size Annual Gross Income Voluntary Monthly Co-Payment

1 $15,847 or less $10.00

2 $21,341 or less $14.00

Family Size Annual Gross Income Voluntary Monthly Co-Payment

Cost Sharing - Maximum Fixed Monthly Amount Based on Services Received During the Month:

One Person Annual Gross Income Monthly Co-payment Two Person Family Annual Gross Income Monthly Co-payment

$15,848 - $19,100 $10.00 $21,342 - $26,324 $14.00

$19,101 - $22,537 $13.00 $26,325 - $31,641 $18.00

$22,538 - $24,892 $27.00 $31,642 - $34,318 $40.00

$24,893 - $26,673 $39.00 $34,319 - $36,988 $55.00

$26,674 - $28,451 $49.00 $36,989 - $39,665 $68.00

$28,452 - $30,225 $69.00 $39,666 - $42,345 $96.00

$30,226 - $32,006 $90.00 $42,346 - $45,014 $126.00

$32,007 - $33,778 $125.00 $45,015 - $47,694 $176.00

$33,779 - $35,601 $141.00 $47,695 - $50,374 $199.00

One Person Annual Gross Income Monthly Co-payment Two Person Family Annual Gross Income Monthly Co-payment

MassHealth Members whose income is below $33,948 (300% FBR) do not have a co-pay

Cost Sharing - Percent Co-Payment Based on Cost of Services Received During the Month:

One Person Annual Gross Income Monthly Co-payment Two Person Family Annual Gross Income Monthly Co-payment

$35,602 - $38,575 50% $50,375 - $52,080 50%

$38,576 - $41,467 55% $52,081 - $54,970 55%

$41,468 - $44,363 60% $54,971 - $57,867 60%

$44,364 - $47,255 65% $57,868 - $60,758 65%

$47,256 - $50,146 70% $60,759 - $63,651 70%

$50,147 - $53,044 75% $63,652 - $66,543 75%

$53,045 - $55,931 80% $66,544 - $69,438 80%

$55,932 - $58,826 85% $69,439 - $72,329 85%

$58,827 - $61,726 90% $72,330 - $75,222 90%

$61,727 - $64,614 95% $75,223 - $78,117 95%

$64,615 - and over 100% $78,118 - and over 100%

One Person Annual Gross Income Monthly Co-payment Two Person Family Annual Gross Income Monthly Co-payment

Call (800) 243-4636 for additional information.

Additional Resources

Veteran's Services FREE LEGAL HELP ABOUT BENEFITS!

FREE LEGAL HELP ABOUT BENEFITS!

Are you a veteran, or family member of a veteran, who needs to apeal a state or a federal benefits decision?

The MBA can help.

Every Monday
Call 617-338-0572 between 3:00 and 5:00 PM
to be matched with a volunteer attorney—for FREE.

This program is being offered as a public service of the Massachusetts Bar Association and U.S. Trust.

Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

>>Click the Image to Read More >>

Assurance FREE Wireless Cell Phone Service

>>Click HERE to Download or Print Application>>

>>Click HERE to link to Assurance Wireless for Additional Info or to Apply Online>>

Fuel Assistance

LOW INCOME
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)

Low-income families and individuals can get help with the cost of heating their homes, even if they rent. Fuel assistance is available to income-eligible applicants. Eligibility is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member, 18 years of age or older.

 Applicants may apply from November 1 to April 30.  To make an appointment, call
NSCAP at 978-531-077 x136

Are you an existing fuel assistance client? If so, you may be eligible for the following:
Free Refrigerator or Freezer

• If your refrigerator or freezer is not energy efficient, they may be able to replace it for free.
• They also install energy efficient light bulbs that will help you save money on your electric bill.
• Their energy manager will educate you on other ways you can save money on your electric bill.
• Renters and homeowners are eligible, but you must be a National Grid customer.

Free Heating System Repair or Replacement

• If your heating system is broken or inefficient, they may be able to repair or replace it for free.
• Only homeowners are eligible.

Free Insulation and Weatherization

• If your home or apartment needs insulation or weatherization, they may be able to install them at no cost to you. All work is done by insured contractors.
• Renters and homeowners are eligible.

To learn more, call NSCAP at 978-531-0767 x118

My Talk Tools - an App that helps people with communication difficulties

>>Click here to link to My Talk Tools for additional info>>

My Talk Tools is an app that enables people with communication difficulties to express their needs to those around them. It allows you to customize how to communicate through a variety of images, pictures, symbols and audio files including human voice.

Practical Matters - Assistance with Navigating Medical and Health Concerns - North Shore Elder Services

>>Click here to download pdf or Printable Version>>

North Shore Elder Services - Money management Program - A Free Service for Low income Elders

>>Click here to download pdf or Printable Version>>

North Shore Hearing Foundation - Atlantic Hearing Care

>>Click HERE for LARGER IMAGE or Printable Version>>

>>Click HERE to link to the Hearing Foundation for additional info>>

Need a CharlieCard or a CharlieTicket?

>>Click here for LARGER IMAGE or Printable Version>>

Benefits CheckUp - Need Help?

AARP Benefits QuickLINK - Looking for help? Start here!

>>Click here to link to AARP Benefits QuickLINK>>

800AgeInfo For Massachusetts Elders & Their Families

>>Click here to link to the 800AgeInfo>>

New to Medicare? Low Income? Don't Have a Drug Plan Yet? Need to Pick Up Your Prescriptions?

The LI NET Program ensures that individuals with Medicare’s low-income subsidy (LIS), or “Extra Help,” who are not yet enrolled in a Part D prescription drug plan are still able to obtain immediate prescription drug coverage. 

>>Click HERE for Instructions for Pharmacy>>

https://www.cms.gov/files/document/medicarelinetbrochurefinal09182012508pdf.pdf 

Medicare and Vaccines: updated August 2014

Wheelchair Ramps

Wheelchair ramps

Massachusetts residents with disabilities who need a wheelchair ramp to make their homes accessible may be able to get help from a community handicap ramp program. Volunteers from the construction industry and other groups donate their time and materials to build the ramps. Homeowners do not have to pay anything.

Homebound residents who need a wheelchair ramp must apply for the programs and meet income limits and other requirements.

Wheelchair ramp programs in Massachusetts include:

• Handicap Ramp Program

  The Handicap Ramp Program is a community service partnership between Worcester local labor unions (Worcester Firefighters "Ramp Gang" and Carpenters Local 107), and the United Way of Central Massachusetts. The program serves homebound residents of Worcester and other Central Massachusetts communities.
  To apply, call the AFL/CIO Community Services Handicap Ramp Program at 508-757-5632.
  

• EMNARI Wheelchair Ramp Building

  The EMNARI Ramp program is a charitable project of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The Chapter usually builds one ramp per year, for a needy family in Eastern Massachusetts.
  To apply, call EMNARI at 508-839-9884.
  

• Stavros 'Home Sweet Home' Wheelchair Ramp Program

  Home Sweet Home is a program of the Stavros Center for Independent Living, with offices in Amherst, Greenfield, and Springfield, MA. The program uses donated materials and funds, volunteer workers, and local vocational technical school assistance to build modular wheelchair ramps. The modular ramps are then installed at selected homes. The ramps are built using The Home Wheelchair Ramp Project guidelines (also see Wheelchair Ramp Manual: Design and Construction), and can be installed year-round.
  In 2011-2012, Home Sweet Home installed 54 wheelchair ramps. To apply, call the Stavros Center at 800-804-1899, ext. 240. For more information, see Home Sweet Home on the Stavros Center web site.
  

If you cannot get a free wheelchair ramp, you may be able to get a loan to pay for the ramp.

• Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)

  The Home Modification Loan Program gives loans to elders and people with disabilities to modify their homes so they can live independently.
  Depending on your income, you may be eligible for a deferred payment loan that does not have to be repaid until you sell your house, or an amortized low interest loan. For income guidelines, see HMLP: Who Is Eligible? on the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) web site.
  You can get an application and instructions on the MRC web site HMLP: How Do I Apply? For more information, see Home Modification Loan Program.
  

Safelink FREE Wireless Cell Phone Service

>>Click HERE to Apply Online>>







































>>Click HERE to Download or Print Program Application>>

>>Click HERE to Download or Print Income Application>>