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Veteran Benefits to Add Income or Reduce Expenses
There are a variety of benefits available that may increase income or reduce expenses. As the years spent in military service do not always translate perfectly into civilian careers, or as we adapt to our specific disabilities acquired through service, it may take some time for some of us to catch up to our civilian counterparts. These benefits may help reduce the income disparity as we navigate civilian life...but only if we know what they are, what they do, and how to access them.
Watch the videos below to discover how these benefits may help you and your family add income and reduce expenses, or continue scrolling for more information on a variety of benefits available to Massachusetts Veterans.
Must Know Benefits Regardless of Income
VA Disability Compensation
VA Disability Compensation is a tax free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Compensation may also be paid for post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service. Find out more and how to apply for and manage the Veterans disability benefits you've earned.
MA Military Service Bonus
The Massachusetts Veterans' Bonus Division distributes bonuses for eligible active duty, discharged, and deceased Massachusetts veterans who served during various conflicts. There are also bonuses for various recent National Guard activations (watch the video above titled Massachusetts Military Service Bonus above) and click the link below to learn more or apply. Note: there are some bonuses that have not yet been listed on their website. Make sure to watch the video.
VA Education Benefits
VA education benefits help Veterans, service members, and their qualified family members with needs like paying college tuition, finding the right school or training program, and getting career counseling. In many cases, these benefits are accompanied by stipends while you're in school to supplement your income.
Note: cash payments to you for attending school are often based on the zip code of the school that you're attending. Be sure to check the benefit rate at each school you're interested in to ensure you have the correct information.
Must Know Benefits for Home Owners
VA Home Loans
VA direct and VA-backed Veterans home loans can help Veterans, service members, and their survivors to buy, build, improve, or refinance a home. You’ll still need to have the required credit and income for the loan amount you want to borrow. But a Veterans home loan may offer better terms than with a traditional loan from a private bank, mortgage company, or credit union. For example, nearly 90% of VA-backed loans are made with no down payment. Learn about our different loan programs—and how to apply.
Municipal Property Tax Exemption
A variety of property tax exemptions are available to Massachusetts veterans through the assessor's office at your city or town hall. For example, a veteran with a 10% VA disability rating may receive a $400 exemption, and surviving spouses (who do not remarry) of service members whose death occurred as a proximate result of an injury sustained or disease contracted in a combat zone, may receive a full exemption. Learn more by clicking below or by visiting your local assessor's office.
Massachusetts Chapter 115 Veteran & Dependent Financial Assistance
This income-based program is available to Massachusetts Veteran residents, and their dependents, through your local Veterans Services Officer (most often found at your town or city hall, or at your local senior center). This benefit may pay a monthly stipend, past due rent or mortgage, out-of-pocket medical costs, necessary home repairs, and more. Watch the video above for more information, or see if you may qualify via the link below.
Must Know Benefits for those with Lower Incomes
Massachusetts Chapter 115 Veteran & Dependent Financial Assistance
This income-based program is available to Massachusetts Veteran residents, and their dependents, through your local Veterans Services Officer (most often found at your town or city hall, or at your local senior center). This benefit may pay a monthly stipend, past due rent or mortgage, out-of-pocket medical costs, necessary home repairs, and more. Watch the video above for more information, or see if you may qualify via the link below.
VA Non-service Connected Pension
The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and who have income and net worth within certain limits.
VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you need help with daily activities, or you’re housebound, this may be added to your pension. Learn more and/or apply below.
Homeless Prevention
Each year, millions of dollars in federal funding is distributed to a small group of non-profits in Massachusetts to provide services to prevent and react to homelessness among veterans and those with prior military experience, which may include rent payments, hotel stays, shelters, utility payments and more.
Note: Many large veteran-focused homeless organizations define "Veteran" as an individual with ONE day of ACTIVE military service and an Other-Than-Honorable discharge or greater, and some programs will deem an individual a veteran who was dishonorably discharged or separated during basic training for reasons other than illness/injury. Be sure to clarify how the organization defines "veteran" if needed. Learn more about homeless prevention services in your area below.
Fuel Assistance/LIHEAP
This program provides a fixed benefit amount to lower income residents for the cost of the primary source of heat with includes, but is not limited to:
Oil
Electricity
Natural gas
Propane
Kerosene
Wood
Coal
Get more information below or call Call the DHCD Heatline at 1-800-632-8175.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides eligible households with full-scale home energy efficiency services. Households that are eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP or Fuel Assistance) are eligible for weatherization services. In addition, households with a member receiving TAFDC or SSI are categorically eligible. Eligibility is based on a maximum gross annual income not to exceed 60% of the Estimated State Median Income. Explore more below.
Contact Your Energy Service Provider
Nearly every energy service provider has a low-income discount for residents in their service area. Contact your energy provider today for information on eligibility and how to apply.
Apply for Unemployment Benefits
Most Massachusetts workers are covered by the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program, although workers in some jobs may not be eligible for benefits. When you apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI), your initial eligibility for benefits is based on your earnings and your reason for leaving your job. Ongoing eligibility requirements include being able to work, available for work, and actively searching for work. Learn more and apply at the link below.
WIC (Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program)
WIC is a nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services, free of charge, to Massachusetts families who qualify.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help you expand your healthy food budget and explore opportunities to support your wellbeing and education and employment goals.SNAP is administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA).
SNAP benefits include:
• Monthly funds on an EBT card to buy food
• $40, $60 or $80 a month put back on your EBT card when you use SNAP to buy local produce via the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
• SNAP Path to Work free education and training opportunities
• Free nutrition education classes and resources
Must Know Benefits for those with Disabilities
VA Adapted Housing Grants
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers housing grants for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so they can buy or change a home to meet their needs and live more independently. Changing a home might involve installing ramps or widening doorways. Find out if you’re eligible for a disability housing grant—and how to apply.
Easterseals Massachusetts Assistive Technology Services
Assistive Technology is one of the many ways that people with disabilities can maintain equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their daily lives. Assistive technology programs offered through Easterseals Massachusetts are available to children and adults of all ages in Massachusetts. These services are available to the general public, regardless of veteran status.
Massachusetts Annuity for 100% Disabled Veterans
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides an annuity in the amount of $2,000, which is payable biannually on August 1st and February 1st in two installments of $1,000 each. This annuity is paid to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and to Gold Star Parents and the unmarried Gold Star spouses. Learn more and apply below.