A key role of the Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood, and Special Health Needs is to keep health care providers and consumers informed about the complex system that families rely on to finance health care for children with disabilities or chronic illnesses. The Public Benefits Specialist provides up-to-date training and information as federal and state laws and regulations change.

Key Activities

Telephone consultation, information and referral is available statewide on public benefit and health financing programs through a toll-free number, 1-800-882-1435.

  • Training programs of 1 to 3 hours are provided on request. Topics can include the eligibility criteria and the application and appeals processes for SSI, CommonHealth, and Kaileigh Mulligan programs.
  • Written materials on public benefits programs are available and updates are sent regularly to a mailing list of state and private agencies, early intervention programs, health care providers, and advocacy organizations.

Our target population consists of State or private child-serving agencies, health care providers, hospital staff, school personnel, early intervention staff, parent groups or organizations who serve or engage in advocacy on behalf of disabled, chronically ill or blind children; and parents or guardians of children with special health care needs.

Comment on Our Key Activities

Contact Information

Gail Havelick, Director, SSI and Public Benefits Training and Technical Assistance
Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: (617) 624-6060 or 1-800-882-1435
Fax: (617) 624-5990
TTY: (617)624-5992
Email: gail.havelick@state.ma.us

This information is provided by the Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood, and Special Health Needs within the Department of Public Health.