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State Veterans Benefits
Chapter 115 Benefits
Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. Chapter 115), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, housing supplies and medical care in accordance with a formula which takes into account the number of dependents and income from all sources. Eligible dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits as they would were the veteran still living.
Qualifications
A single veteran or an unmarried widow with the gross monthly income of $1,980 per month or less, with $5,000 or less in financial assets, not including a car and a house may qualify.
A veteran and spouse with no dependents with the gross monthly income of $2,670 or less, with combined assets of $9,800 or under, not including a house may qualify.
Even if your income is above these limits you may still qualify for benefits with a required spend down.
To Apply
Print and complete these three documents for each applicant.
Authorization to Release Information
Agreement to Reimburse
DOR Letter
Next complete the online application and upload all supporting documents at the end of the application.
Chapter 115 Application
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides an annuity in the amount of $2,000 to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and to the parents of men and women who die in service (Gold Star parents) and the unremarried spouses (Gold, Star wives or husbands) of veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country during wartime.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides a 1-time bonus to eligible veterans who served during wartime, from World War II through Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. For the Persian Gulf War Bonus call 617-210-5927. For all other bonuses contact the Office of the State Treasurer 617-367-3900, ext. 543, or for OEF/OIF ext. 539.
There are 3 veterans’ cemeteries in Massachusetts. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs operates the national cemetery in Bourne, on Cape Cod (508-563-7113). The state operates cemeteries in Agawam (413-821-9500) and Winchendon (978-297-9501). Eligible veterans can be buried in state and federal cemeteries for free and spouses for a nominal fee.
Veterans are eligible for tuition waivers at all state colleges and universities. Members of the Massachusetts National Guard receive a tuition and fee waiver at all state schools. Contact the Veterans’ Representative at the state college/university of your choice for eligibility requirements and to apply.
Veterans are given preference for employment on the eligibility list for civil service positions. Job search and assistance is also available for veterans at 32 One-Stop Career Centers across the state.
DVS contracts with a range of non-profit organizations, which provide housing services to eligible veterans. All require that residents maintain a sober and drug-free environment. Services are available to both male and female veterans.
Certain disabled veterans and former POWs are eligible for motor vehicle sales and excise tax exemptions. Contact the Department of Revenue at 617-887-6367. The Registry of Motor Vehicles provides a variety of veterans’ license plates and a registration exemption for certain veterans.
Outreach Centers are non-profit organizations that contract through DVS to assist veterans and their families with a range of services. Services vary by location and can include:
There are a number of exemptions available to certain disabled veterans and their survivors. Contact your local Veterans’ Service Officer or city/town assessor.
SAVE is a peer outreach program that helps veterans navigate the system of benefits and services through active outreach in the community. SAVE’s mission is suicide prevention and advocacy of veterans benefits and services. Outreach coordinators are mobile and meet with veterans in the field. The outreach team is comprised of veterans and family members of veterans. Call SAVE at 888-844-2838 or email.
The Soldiers’ Homes in Chelsea (617-884-5660) and Holyoke (413-532-9475) provide a variety of services to veterans, such as, acute hospital, domiciliary, and long-term care, physical and occupational therapy and more.
The mission of the Women Veterans’ Network is to provide women with information on benefits; expand awareness of the needs of women veterans; and identify available health and human resources to meet those needs. Call 617-210-5781.
Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. Chapter 115), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, housing supplies and medical care in accordance with a formula which takes into account the number of dependents and income from all sources. Eligible dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits as they would were the veteran still living.
Qualifications
A single veteran or an unmarried widow with the gross monthly income of $1,980 per month or less, with $5,000 or less in financial assets, not including a car and a house may qualify.
A veteran and spouse with no dependents with the gross monthly income of $2,670 or less, with combined assets of $9,800 or under, not including a house may qualify.
Even if your income is above these limits you may still qualify for benefits with a required spend down.
To Apply
Print and complete these three documents for each applicant.
Authorization to Release Information
Agreement to Reimburse
DOR Letter
Next complete the online application and upload all supporting documents at the end of the application.
Chapter 115 Application
Annuity
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides an annuity in the amount of $2,000 to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and to the parents of men and women who die in service (Gold Star parents) and the unremarried spouses (Gold, Star wives or husbands) of veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country during wartime.
Bonuses
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides a 1-time bonus to eligible veterans who served during wartime, from World War II through Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. For the Persian Gulf War Bonus call 617-210-5927. For all other bonuses contact the Office of the State Treasurer 617-367-3900, ext. 543, or for OEF/OIF ext. 539.
Cemeteries
There are 3 veterans’ cemeteries in Massachusetts. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs operates the national cemetery in Bourne, on Cape Cod (508-563-7113). The state operates cemeteries in Agawam (413-821-9500) and Winchendon (978-297-9501). Eligible veterans can be buried in state and federal cemeteries for free and spouses for a nominal fee.
Education Benefits
Veterans are eligible for tuition waivers at all state colleges and universities. Members of the Massachusetts National Guard receive a tuition and fee waiver at all state schools. Contact the Veterans’ Representative at the state college/university of your choice for eligibility requirements and to apply.
Employment
Veterans are given preference for employment on the eligibility list for civil service positions. Job search and assistance is also available for veterans at 32 One-Stop Career Centers across the state.
Housing Services
DVS contracts with a range of non-profit organizations, which provide housing services to eligible veterans. All require that residents maintain a sober and drug-free environment. Services are available to both male and female veterans.
Motor Vehicle Benefits
Certain disabled veterans and former POWs are eligible for motor vehicle sales and excise tax exemptions. Contact the Department of Revenue at 617-887-6367. The Registry of Motor Vehicles provides a variety of veterans’ license plates and a registration exemption for certain veterans.
Outreach Centers
Outreach Centers are non-profit organizations that contract through DVS to assist veterans and their families with a range of services. Services vary by location and can include:
- Assistance and referrals to obtain federal and state veterans’ benefits
- Community activities
- Counseling services
- Food pantry and clothing closets
- Transportation services
Property Tax
There are a number of exemptions available to certain disabled veterans and their survivors. Contact your local Veterans’ Service Officer or city/town assessor.
SAVE Program
SAVE is a peer outreach program that helps veterans navigate the system of benefits and services through active outreach in the community. SAVE’s mission is suicide prevention and advocacy of veterans benefits and services. Outreach coordinators are mobile and meet with veterans in the field. The outreach team is comprised of veterans and family members of veterans. Call SAVE at 888-844-2838 or email.
Soldiers’ Homes
The Soldiers’ Homes in Chelsea (617-884-5660) and Holyoke (413-532-9475) provide a variety of services to veterans, such as, acute hospital, domiciliary, and long-term care, physical and occupational therapy and more.
Women Veterans’ Network
The mission of the Women Veterans’ Network is to provide women with information on benefits; expand awareness of the needs of women veterans; and identify available health and human resources to meet those needs. Call 617-210-5781.
House Services
- Emergency shelters
- Homeless
- Permanent housing
- Transitional housing
- Veterans and their families are given preference for public housing through their local housing authority