Information and Referrals (getting info on services and programs)
MassOptions offers a directory of different services available for elders and people living with disabilities in Massachusetts. You can also call them at (800) 243-4636 if you’re trying to find out what services might be available to help with a particular issue. It can be easier for these sorts of services to give you good answers if you have a specific question or need identified, but the website might be useful to browse if you want to see broadly what sorts of services are available.
Centers for Independent Living also provide information and referral services (see below). As Centers are regional, they may have more information about local programs in addition to state/federal programs.
Centers for Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) have a mission of ensuring people with disabilities can make their own choices and live as independently as possible, with the supports that they need. There are 10 regional CILs covering all of Massachusetts.
CILs can help an individual with a disability plan what supports they'll need to live independently and they can provide referrals, training, and support as the individual works through setting up their needed supports. It's important to understand that they are not there to do the work for you, but are more of a facilitator to help you make progress. Learn more about Centers for Independent Living.
Finding your way around different organizations
It can be quite challenging to figure out the roles of different organizations, particularly government organizations. This can become a roadblock for people with disabilities who are looking for information or support. On the Finding Your Way Around page we provide you with some basic concepts to help you get started in navigating the federal and state organizations that serve the disability community.
Financial Assistance
MOD does not administer any benefits, but we can point you to the appropriate agencies to contact.
Note: It is helpful to know and use the exact name of the benefit you are interested in. This helps avoid confusion and makes it easier to make sure you get correct answers to your questions. When people talk about “disability” as a benefit, they often mean SSDI from the federal Social Security Administration, long term disability insurance or PFML from the Massachusetts DFML.
There are several types of financial assistance at the state and federal level. Eligibility for these programs varies:
- Many are only for people or households below a certain income level
- Some also specify a maximum amount of assets (such as savings)
- Disability-related benefits are usually for people whose disability makes them unable to work or earn a significant income.
Learn more about financial assistance for people with disabilities.
Earning money: Employment
While many people with disabilities work, the employment rate of people with disabilities is lower than in the general population. Many people are keen to work and earn income if they can find a way to. A disability can sometimes make finding or keeping a job harder so there are free programs to help people with disabilities explore career options, build skills, ask for accommodations at work, and understand how income affects benefits.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If you're interested in employment and could use supports, explore the vocational rehabilitation (VR) services offered by MassAbility (formerly Mass Rehabilitation Commission, MRC).
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) also offers vocational rehabilitation services, tailored to individuals who are blind.
Our Client Assistance Program (CAP) provides confidential and neutral support for people who have questions and concerns about their VR services or their rights.
How working affects benefits
It is common for people on Social Security benefits to be scared of losing their benefits by earning too much. It is important to learn exactly how to report changes in income and what the effect on your benefits will be.
Social Security contracts with two agencies in Massachusetts to provide free benefit counseling: you can speak to a benefit counselor about the specifics of your situation. They may also be able to discuss the effect of earnings on state benefit programs, including MassHealth, but their main focus is Social Security.
There are also sources of information online:
- Social Security Work Incentive Seminar Events
- Work Without Limits provides useful information on public benefits and work incentives
Employment rights
Here at MOD we can help people understand their disability rights in employment and how to ask for a ‘reasonable accommodation’ such as an adjustment or support at work that would enable them to do their job.
Housing searches and other housing resources
People with disabilities often have questions about housing issues such as finding housing, tenant rights, poor conditions, eviction, resolving interpersonal disputes or home modifications. Often people should approach these issues the same way they would if they did not have a disability. Housing resources for people with disabilities gives an overview of what is available and where to find out more.
MOD does not provide direct assistance for housing matters that are not related to disability civil rights or accessibility regulations.
Health Insurance
Learn about healthcare options. There is a free multi-lingual helpline to help consumers with healthcare coverage at Health Care for All, (800) 272-4232.
You can get information on MassHealth eligibility and links to apply. MassHealth Customer Service: (800) 841-2900.
In home supports
Aging Service Access Points (ASAPs) can provide needs assessment, care management and in home services to seniors and people with disabilities over 60 who need help with activities of daily living (such as bathing, eating, dressing) in their home. The consumer's share of the cost for these services is based on their income. ASAPs can also refer you to other services that may be useful, and may offer caregiver support. Find your local ASAP.
People with disabilities under the age of 60 can potentially receive homemaker services from the Home Care Assistance Program, including housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, and meal supports. The Home Care Assistance Program is a program of MassAbility.
The MassHealth Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program is for people who are on MassHealth or CommonHealth and who need assistance with at least two activities of daily living. A person is evaluated by a personal care management agency to determine how much assistance they need performing various daily living tasks and they are subsequently allotted a specific number of hours per week of paid assistance. The individual then hires and trains PCAs and decides on their schedule based on the number of hours allotted. MassHealth pays the PCAs and all of the administrative pieces (taxes, payroll, unemployment) are taken care of by a third party. For more information on the program, read the PCA Consumer Handbook.
Transportation
Public transport and rides
Regional public transit authorities have obligations to provide paratransit alternatives to fixed-route public transit. To learn about the paratransit options in your area, contact your your regional transit authority.
MassMobility is a resource for finding transportation in Massachusetts.
MassOptions has links to various other transportation resources.
There are some programs to help with particular types of transport, such as:
- local Councils on Aging or Senior Centers may provide a weekly shuttle to a local grocery store
- programs to help with transport to medical appointments, especially through MassHealth.
Driving with a disability
The Mass Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) can issue disability plates and placards to allow people with mobility disabilities to park in accessible parking spots. There are programs to support drivers with disabilities. Learn more about disability rights in transportation.
For people who have limitations that may affect their driving safety the RMV publishes a booklet on how to evaluate your driving safety and there are laws regarding medical qualifications to operate a motor vehicle.
Funding sources for accessible vehicles
If an individual is working on employment goals with MassAbility, some support for vehicle modification may be possible if required for employment.
Otherwise some financial help may be available through:
- Easter Seals assistive technology loan program
- Rebates from the manufacturer of a new vehicle for people who are going to modify it after purchase
- Sales and excise tax exemptions for people with certain limitations:
Massachusetts Automobile Excise Tax Exemption
Vehicle excise tax exemption for a person who has suffered loss or permanent loss of use of both legs or both arms or loss of vision of both eyes to a certain degree. The exemption applies to one motor vehicle per person, owned and registered for their personal, noncommercial use. Applications for excise tax exemptions are available from the local town assessor’s office.
Massachusetts Automobile Sales Tax Exemption
Exemption from purchase and use tax of a vehicle for a disabled person who is the original registered owner of the motor vehicle and has lost two or more limbs or has permanent loss of use of at least 80% of two or more limbs. Parents and others who transport people with disabilities may also be entitled to this exemption. A wheelchair lift used to make a van accessible may also be exempt even if purchased separately from the vehicle. In cases where the lift is purchased after the van, a physician’s prescription may be needed to document this exemption. For more information contact:
- Department of Revenue, Customer Service Bureau: (800) 392-6089, TTY: (617) 887-6140, or
- Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles, Medical Affairs: (617) 351-9222, TTY: (877) 768-883
Advocating for local change
If you identify a systemic issue affecting people with disabilities in your local community and want to do something about it, here are a couple of avenues you can explore:
- Contact your local Center for Independent Living to find out if your issue fits with any systemic advocacy they are doing.
- If the issue is one under the control of local government, you can check whether there is a local Commission on Disability (COD). The COD's role is to advise municipal government on systemic disability-related issues within their programs and facilities. See Contact your local Commission on Disability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get help with assistive technology or disability medical equipment?
The Department of Developmental Services, MassAbility and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind all offer support to their consumers around identifying and addressing assistive and supportive technology needs.
Assistive technology available inventory and resources provides information and links including inventories of assistive technology equipment available for free, for sale or for loan.
Are there funding sources for home adaptations?
MassAbility provides a useful listing of resources for loans to perform modifications to make a home more accessible to a person with a disability.
| Last updated: | August 12, 2024 |
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