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Financial and Medical Assistance

Chapter 115 Public Assistance

Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (MGL c 115 and 108 CMR 5.00), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents. Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, housing supplies, and medical care in accordance with a formula that takes into account the number of dependents and income from all sources. Eligible dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits as they would were the veteran still living.
 
Veterans, spouses, and widows:
If your income is below $2,147 a month (individual) or $2,904 a month (couple) and If your liquid asset total, which include money in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and other property, is less than $8,400 (individual) or $16,600 (couple) you MAY be eligible for benefits from the Veterans Service Office. Please call or visit the Veterans Office to see if you are eligible.
 
To be eligible for veterans' benefits, one must be a "veteran" or a "dependent" of a veteran under M.G.L. c. 4, sec. 7, cl. 43rd as amended by the Acts of 2005, ch. 130.

Pensions

Low-income wartime veterans may be eligible to receive a pension from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility is income based, and veterans must be 65 years of age or older or be totally and permanently disabled.

VA Boston Health Care System

Veterans can receive health care services from a number of local VA Medical Facilities. Applications are filled out and sent to the desired facility’s eligibility office. Inpatient, outpatient, dental, pharmacy, prosthetic, women’s health services and many others can be received through the VA Health Care System.

Disability Compensation

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a tax free benefit to veterans who currently have a disability that is the result of an injury, disease, or an event in military service. Applications and guidance are offered in the Veterans’ Services Department for those who are eligible.

Aid and Attendance & Housebound Benefits

In some cases, a veteran or surviving spouse requires the aid of another person in order to perform his or hers activities of daily living, and/or are housebound due their medical condition. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs may issue an additional payment for those who meet set criteria. The benefit is contingent upon eligibility of the basic pension benefit.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may issue monetary benefits to survivors of service members who died on active duty, died from service-related disabilities, or certain veterans who were being paid 100% disability compensation at time of death.

Death Pension

Certain low-income surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans maybe entitled to receive a Death Pension from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Veteran Relief Fund

The Veteran Relief Fund is available to Wakefield Veterans, Veteran families, or spouses of surviving Veterans who face a financial challenge and need one-time support. Applicants will need to submit prior three-month bank statements, (savings statements included), information on any investment holdings that are redeemable, and the invoice or need for the assistance. The Veteran Advisory Board will vote on the disbursement to establish the release of funds. Please contact the Veteran Services Department with questions about the fund or to request assistance. The office can be reached at 781-246-6377.