MassHealth MATCH Program Assistance

Eligible expenses and contact information for MassHealth members seeking MATCH assistance.

MATCH Eligible Items

UPDATE: New program changes in effect for all new applications. These changes include:

• Items must be submitted on the application in order of priority with the highest priority being added to the application first. The MATCH team will process requests in the order that they were inputted in the MATCH application with the following exceptions:
  • Requests for move-in costs (i.e., security deposits, first month’s rent, and moving costs) and beds, cribs, and mattresses/bedframes/boxsprings will be processed first regardless of where they appear in the list of prioritized items in the MATCH application.

In general, the MATCH program provides eligible individuals with up to $5,500 to help with the following types of costs:

• Moving Costs (security deposits, first month's rent, moving expenses)
• Utilities (set-up fees and deposits, including money owed that needs to be repaid to start a new service)
• Furniture
• Furnishings (sheets, pillows, towels)
• Food Pantry and Cleaning Supplies
• Toiletries 
• Clothing (if no other resource is available)
• Cleaning and Pest Control
• Durable or Special Medical Equipment not approved by insurance

Funds cannot be used for recurring costs such as monthly rent or ongoing utility costs.

Items Covered by the MATCH Program

Below is a complete list of items that may be eligible for purchase through the MATCH program. Only those items listed below are eligible under the MATCH program. No additional items are allowable.

MATCH eligible items can be any cost as long as the item cost is within the eligible member’s allowable $5,500 MATCH support limit. Applications for MATCH assistance will have a 25-item limit total, up to the eligible member’s allowable $5,500 MATCH support maximum for a transition.

Air conditioner Alarm clock Baby necessities (baby bathtub, potty training seats, baby proofing products, etc.) Bakeware, measuring cups, mixing bowls  Bath towels Bathroom cup, toothbrush holder, toilet paper holder Bathmat Bed frame Bedroom sets Bookcase/rack/shelving/storage bins Broker/realtor fees Bunk beds Chairs (recliner, living room, accent chair, kitchen stool, etc.) Chest of drawers Cleaning equipment (mops, brooms, dustpans, etc.) Cleaning fee (one-time) Clothes hangers Clothing: Outerwear (raincoat, winter coat, scarf, gloves, hat) Clothing: Pants, shirts, tops Clothing: Underwear, socks, pajamas Coffee maker Cribs/bassinets/baby-changing stations Curtains/Drapes Cutting board Deposits or one-time start-up payments of miscellaneous fees outlined in the lease (pet fees, garage fees, laundry fees, amenities fees, etc.) Dining table and chairs Dish cloths Dishware (glasses, bowls, plates, mugs) Durable Medical Equipment (DME)/Special Medical Equipment (SME): Door opener DME/SME: Grab bars DME/SME: Lifeline startup cost DME/SME: Commode/Raised toilet seat DME/SME: Environmental adaptations (assistive tech to control light switches, doorbells, etc.) DME/SME: In-shower chair, showerheads DME/SME: Rolling shopping cart, backpacks Emergency medical kit/First aid kit Fan First month's rent File cabinet Fire extinguisher Flatware, utensils, and serving utensils Food storage containers/canisters

Humidifier/Diffuser Ironing board/iron Knife set Lamps (desk, floor, reading, etc.) Laundry basket Linens (sheet sets, bedding, pillows, comforter, blankets) Living room sets Mass ID/birth certificate fees   Mattress/box spring Mattress pad, egg crate, or memory foam pad Microwave Mirror Moving costs (packing materials, movers, van rental fees, etc.) One-month supply of cleaning supplies One-month supply of pantry supplies (spices, condiments, etc.) One-month supply of toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) Oven mitts Pest control fee (one-time) Phone, answering machine Phone service deposit/arrears* Place mats/tablecloth Pots and pans, colander Refrigerator (if not provided by landlord) Rugs (area rugs, pads, tape) Security deposit Shoes/boots Shower curtain Small kitchen appliances (toaster, toaster oven, etc.) Small kitchen gadgets (can opener, garlic press, etc.) Sofa, sofa bed, or futon Space heater Tables (bedside table, coffee table, end table, side table, computer table, desk) Tool kits/sets Utilities deposit/arrears* Vacuum cleaner/Mop/Steam mop Wash basin and drying rack Wastebasket/trashcan Window shade

* Funds can only be used for arrears if needed arrears need to be repaid in order to start new service in the community-based housing.

Applying the 25-Item Limit

• EFT and check requests count toward the 20 allowed items. For example, an EFT request for payment of first month's rent and a payment for security deposit would count as two items of the 25 allowed. 
• Multiple items that are a set/pack will be counted as a single item. For example, a pack of 12 socks or an 8-setting dish set packaged together and at the same exact URL address would count as one item of the 25 allowed.

• Items that allow for a “one-month supply” of pantry supplies, toiletries, or cleaning supplies will continue to count as a single item of the 25 allowed, with a maximum of 15 items counting toward a “one month supply.”

Visit MATCH Frequently Asked Questions for more information about eligible costs.

Date published:	December 8, 2022
Last updated:	June 28, 2023