Citizens' Guide to State Services:
Welfare & Social Services

Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)

1 Ashburton Place, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-573-1600
www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-health-and-human-services

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services is responsible through its member agencies for the delivery of a wide range of services to people with financial, health, social, protective, rehabilitation, and correctional needs. Online information is available for consumers, providers, researchers, and social workers to find out what types of assistance are offered. Offices within its purview include the

• Board of Registration in Medicine
• Department of Public Health
• Department of Mental Health
• Division of Medical Assistance
• MassHealth
• Department of Developmental Services
• Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
• Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
• Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Office of Children, Youth and Families includes the:
• Department of Children and Families
• Department of Transitional Assistance
• Department of Youth Services
• Office for Refugees and Immigrants
• Department of Veterans Services
• The Soldiers' Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke

Division of Hearings

Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Transitional Assistance
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-348-5321
Toll Free: 1-800-882-2017 (within Massachusetts only)
Fax: 617-348-5311
www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance

If an applicant is unhappy with the action or payment of the Department of Transitional Assistance, the notice received should be filled out and mailed to the Division of Hearings. If no notice was received, the applicant should request a "General Client" appeals form from the Division of Hearings or any local transitional assistance office and should return the completed form to the division. Complaints against social workers should be made in writing to the division.

Fair Hearing Unit

Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Children and Families
600 Washington Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-748-2030
Email: DCFFairHearingUnit@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/Massachusetts-department-of-children-families

DCF provides every consumer with information and access to the appeal process through its' Fair Hearing Office. Whenever the agency reduces, curtails, or denies services, the consumer is assisted in making an appeal, should he/she choose to do so.

Department of Children and Families (DCF)

Executive Office of Health and Human Services
600 Washington Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-748-2000
Toll Free: 1-800-548-4802 (within Massachusetts only)
Adoption & Foster Care: 1-800-543-7508 (within Massachusetts only)
Child at Risk Hotline: Toll Free: 1-800-792-5200 (within Massachusetts only)
Ombudsman Office: 617-748-2444
Parental Stress Line Toll Free: 1-800-632-8188 (within Massachusetts only)
Teen Peer Line: 1-800-238-7868 (within Massachusetts only)
Fax: 617-261-7435
www.mass.gov/orgs/Massachusetts-department-of-children-families
Email: DCFCommissioner@state.ma.us

The Department of Children and Families, within the Executive Office of Human Services, was created by Chapter 552, Acts of 1978 and provides social services to children and families. It receives and responds to reports of child abuse. Services include adoption, counseling, day care, emergency shelter, family planning, foster care, homemaker and housekeeping (limited capacity), services to women-in-transition, and information and referral. They are provided either directly by DCF staff or through private agencies with DCF contracts. Sliding fee scale services are available for income-eligible individuals. All casework is handled and social services are provided in each of the area offices. Call DCF central office, or visit their website for referral to a local office. This office also serves as the point of contact for the Office of Children, Youth and Families.

Office of the Child Advocate

Department of Children and Families
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
1 Ashburton Place, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-979-8374
Complaint Line: 617-979-8360
Toll Free: 1-866-790-3690
Fax: 617-979-8379
www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-the-child-advocate
E-mail: childadvocate@state.ma.us

The goal of the Child Advocate Office is to ensure each child involved with welfare, juvenile justice, or a state service agency receives the services in a timely and respectful manner

Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)

Executive Office of Health and Human Services
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-348-8400
Food Stamps Toll Free: 1-877-382-2363
www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance

It is the responsibility of the Department of Transitional Assistance to determine eligibility for and provide financial assistance and services to people in need. The following are some of the programs available to those meeting the criteria for public assistance: AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), E.A.E.D.C. (Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children), homeless and refugee assistance, and food stamps. For telephone numbers and a description of services provided, see below. Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) is a federally subsidized assistance program for dependent children who are deprived of support from a parent for any of the following reasons: divorce, desertion, separation, incapacity, incarceration, or the unemployment of a parent. The program provides cash benefits, medical care, and social services. AFDC recipients may register with the Employment Services Program through which educational and employment opportunities are available, and benefits such as transportation and childcare are offered. Applications are processed by the local offices of the Department of Transitional Assistance. Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) is a state-funded program providing cash assistance and medical benefits to individuals over 65 awaiting SSI, disabled individuals and the caretakers of disabled individuals, and families who are ineligible for AFDC due to specific reasons. This program, enacted 10/13/91, replaced the General Relief program. For eligibility information contact a local office of the Department of Transitional Assistance. The food stamp program provides low-income households with coupons for the purchase of food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture establishes guidelines for the program, which is administered at the state level by the Department of Transitional Assistance. Recipients receive an allotment of food coupons each month, based on personal income of all members of the household, the family size, and other qualifying factors. Applications are supplied by and taken at the local transitional assistance office. Proof of income and Social Security number is required, as well as other necessary verification. Questions about food stamps can be answered by one's local Transitional Assistance office.

DTA Assistance Line

Department of Transitional Assistance
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
Toll Free: 1-877-382-2363
www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance

This office provides assistance guiding clients to services offered, enables callers to reach a case manager, reach the fraud hotline as well as speak to a person (8:15 am to 4:45 pm Monday through Friday) about domestic violence issues.

F.O.R. Families (Follow-Up, Outreach and Referral)

Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-624-5913
Fax: 617-624-5927
www.mass.gov/orgs/bureau-of-family-health-and-nutrition

To meet the needs of transitional assistance FDC recipients who are preparing to leave or who have already left, the Dept. of Public Health has teamed up with the Dept. of Transitional Assistance to work with many local, state and federal agencies and program. It will help applicants fill out forms required by government agencies, assist in solving problems recipients may face in getting services, and is a central place that can help find other programs and services available to recipients and their families. Services the program will assist with include fuel assistance, health insurance enrollment, health care, access to food, housing, employment, transportation and child care, as well as other programs in the applicant's area.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Social Security Administration
10 Causeway Street, Room 148
Boston, MA 02222
Toll Free: 1-877-863-1128
Toll Free: 1-800-772-1213
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-325-0778
www.ssa.gov/

This program is administered by the Social Security Administration. However, it is financed from general revenues, not from Social Security contributions. Under this program, the state supplements federal funds to provide aid to qualified individuals. Specific requirements for eligibility are as follows: categorical eligibility (aged over 65, blind, or disabled); residence; citizenship or lawful alien status; limited income; and limited resources. SSI recipients also receive medical assistance through the Medicaid program and may be eligible for federal Food Stamp benefits. For information on eligibility and level of benefits, contact a local Social Security office.

Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI)

State Auditors Office
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1103
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-8638
Fax: 617-727-6777
www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-state-auditor-suzanne-m-bump

Pursuant to FY 2003 state budget, the Bureau of Special Investigations has become a division within the Auditor's office. This criminal law enforcement division is charged with the responsibility of investigating fraud within any assistance program administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance, Department of Medical Assistance, and the Department of Social Services.

McKinney Shelter Plus Care Program

Department of Housing and Community Development
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-573-1150
www.mass.gov/orgs/housing-and-community-development

The McKinney Shelter Plus Care Program provides rental assistance to homeless individuals and families with disabilities, primarily those with mental illnesses, substance abuse issues and those with HIV/AIDS.

Community Living Division

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
Voice/TTY: 617-204-3600
Toll Free Voice/TTY: 1-800-245-6543 (within Massachusetts only)
Ombudsperson: 617-204-3603
Fax: 617-727-1354
E-Mail: Commissioner@mrc.state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/Massachusetts-rehabilitation-commission

This division provides services coordination, information, referral, and counseling services to people with severe physical and/or mental disabilities. These services are primarily intended for those not yet ready to enter the Vocational Rehabilitation Division programs. The goal of this division is to assist individuals with severe disabilities to live independently in the community. Programs include: Independent Living Centers/Programs, Homemaker/Chore Program, Personal Care Assistance, Statewide Head Injury Program, and the Consumer Involvement Program.

Home Care Assistance Program

Community Living Division
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
27-43 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210-1616
Voice/TTY Toll Free: 1-800-223-2559, ext. 3 (within Massachusetts only)
Fax: 617-727-2809
www.mass.gov/orgs/Massachusetts-rehabilitation-commission

The Home Care Assistance Program is part of the Independent Living Division. The program provides homemaker services for individuals with disabilities aged 18-59 in order to help them participate in the community and live as independently as possible. For disabled elders over age 60 or under 60 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. Chore services are contracted by the client through chore agencies and/or independent chore workers where no homemaker is available. Client may find a chore worker and MRC will pay the worker minimum wage.

Office of Medicaid/MassHealth

Executive Office of Health and Human Services
600 Washington Street, 5th floor
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-573-1770
Toll Free: 1-800-841-2900 (within Massachusetts only)
Toll Free TTY: 1-800-497-4648 (within Massachusetts only)
www.mass.gov/topics/masshealth

Statutorily known as the Division of Medical Assistance, the Office of Medicaid administers the MassHealth programs, which include Medicaid, the Children's Medical Security Plan, Healthy Start, the Special Kids/Special Care Pilot Program (along with the Department of Social Services), the Kaileigh Mulligan Home Care Program, and the Uncompensated Care Pool, and other medical assistance programs offered by the commonwealth. MassHealth covers a broad range of health-care services by paying for part or all of a MassHealth member's health insurance, or paying MassHealth providers for medical services given to members.  In some cases, MassHealth helps pay for long-term-care services in the community or in an institution, such as a chronic disease or rehabilitation hospital or a nursing facility Medicaid, their largest assistance program, is a federal-state partnership with the Office of Medicaid developing eligibility requirements and processing applications for needy and low-income people under 21 and over 65. Any person receiving AFDC or SSI is immediately covered by Medicaid. In addition, pregnant women, families, and certain people with severe disabilities may be eligible.  Also, all children under age 19 who cannot get MassHealth are eligible for limited health-care coverage from another state program called the Children's Medical Security Plan (CMSP).

S15 Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority
100 City Hall Plaza 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-933-3030
Toll Free: 1-877-623-6765
TTY Commonwealth Care: 1-877-623-7773
www.mahealthConnector.org/

The Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority created by Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006 and signed into law on April 12th, 2006 requires citizens on Massachusetts to have health insurance. Administratively placed under the Executive Office for Administration and Finance and overseen by a ten member board. This authority assists income qualified Massachusetts citizens with affordable insurance coverage options. By shopping through the Health Connector, individuals can find out if they qualify for one of these plans.

Walk-In Centers:

Boston 133 Portland Street, 1st Floor
Boston, MA 02114

Springfield 8 Industry Avenue
Springfield, MA 01104

Worcester 10 Mechanic Street, Suite 301
Worcester, MA 01608

Third Party Recovery Unit

P.O. Box 15205
Worcester, MA 01615-0205
Phone: 508-856-6381
Toll Free: 1-800-754-1864
www.mass.gov/topics/masshealth

MassHealth may get reimbursed from the estates of certain MassHealth members when they die. In general, the money that must be repaid is for services paid by MassHealth for a member after the member turned age 55. There are some circumstances under which MassHealth may delay requesting repayment (such as if the surviving spouse continues to live in the home) or decide that the estate does not need to repay MassHealth. Also, MassHealth will count any assets transferred within the preceding three years by an applicant (even if transferred to other family members or a trust) as still owned by the applicant. Call the Third Party Recovery Unit for further clarification about liens on homes, estate planning, assets, and will probating in regards to qualifying for MassHealth assistance

Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA)

501 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116-4704
Phone: 617-701-8100
www.chiamass.gov/

The Center for Health Information and Analysis is an independent agency created by Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012, “An Act Improving the Quality of Health Care and Reducing Costs through Increased Transparency, Efficiency and Innovation,” for the purposes of providing reliable information and meaningful analysis for those seeking to improve health care quality, affordability, access, and outcomes. CHIA’s duties include collecting, analyzing, and disseminating health care information to assist in the formulation of health care policy and in the provision and purchase of health care services; providing an analysis of health care spending trends as compared to the health care cost growth benchmark established by the Health Policy Commission; partnering with the General Court and other state agencies like the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Mental Health, the Health Policy Commission, the Office of Medicaid (MassHealth), and the Division of Insurance to collect and disseminate data concerning the cost, price, and functioning of the health care system in the Commonwealth and the health status of individuals; and reporting to consumers comparative health care cost and quality information through the consumer health information website.

Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (MORI)

Executive Office of Health and Human Services
600 Washington Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-727-7888
TTY: 617-727-8147
Fax: 617-727-1822
E-mail: ori.webmaster@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/office-for-refugees-and-immigrants

Under the jurisdiction of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Massachusetts Office for Refugee and Immigrants is a federally-funded program established to assist refugees in adjusting to life in America. It supports programs for refugees and immigrants, acts as their public advocate, coordinates state and federal services on their behalf, and works to make mainstream programs linguistically and culturally accessible. MORI runs a statewide information and referral program, a volunteer-based citizen education project, and provides self-help groups with technical assistance, grant information, and funding. The agency conducts outreach to ethnic communities and manages an education campaign on job discrimination based on national origin or citizenship status. Individuals should contact the office for referral to appropriate programs and service providers.

Refugee and Immigrant Health Program

Department of Public Health
305 South Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone: 617-983-6550
Fax: 617-983-6597
www.mass.gov/refugee-health

The Refugee and Immigrant Health Program's goal is to improve the health in refugee and immigrant persons across the Commonwealth by promoting equitable public health services provided by both the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and by community based organizations statewide.

Executive Office of Veterans’ Services

Executive Office of Health and Human Services
600 Washington Street, 7th Floor Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-210-5480
Veterans Crisis Line Toll Free: 1-800-273-8255
Toll Free: 1-888-844-2838 (within Massachusetts only)
Chelsea Soldier's Home: 617-884-5660
Holyoke Soldier's Home: 413-532-9475
Fax: 617-210-5755
E-mail: MDVS@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-veterans-services

The mission of the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services (EOVS) is to act as the primary advocate on behalf of all the Commonwealth’s veterans. EOVS provides our veterans and their families with quality support services and directs an emergency financial assistance program for those veterans and their dependents who are in need.