FINANCIAL SUPPORTS

Supplemental Secuirty Disability Insurance (SSDI)

MassHealth/

Medicaid

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits

Savings Accounts & Trusts/

Other Resources

Anchor 1

Supplemental Security (Disability) Insurance (SSI/SSDI)

SSI/SSDI provides monthly cash payments to help meet the basic needs of adults who have a disability

Eligible adults have a disability that impacts their ability to do any substantial gainful activity (paid part-time and/or full-time work) resulting in a monthly income of LESS THAN $1,470
Learn more about this program and how to apply by visiting: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability.html
Individuals with SSDI have access to benefit counseling through Project IMPACT https://www.mass.gov/service-details/statewide-employment-services
Students who are 18 and older are eligible for SSI. Read more about this at:
- https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-student-earned-income.ht
- https://www.specialneedsalliance.org/the-voice/ssi-rules-for-students/
If you or your child has difficulty managing money and keeping track of payments, consider a Representative Payee. Read more at: A Guide for Representative Payees (ssa.gov)
- A Rep Payee uses SSI/SSDI benefits to pay for the beneficiary's current and future needs, save for future expenses, keeps records of expenses, reports how benefit payments were used to support the beneficiary
- Having a Power of Attorney, Guardianship, or Conservatorship is NOT the same thing as being a Rep Payee. A designated guardian/power of attorney will still need to apply to become a Rep Payee.
- The Rep Payee form must be completed in person at your local Social Security Office
  - Find your local Social Security Office at: Field Office Locator | SSA

Programs accessible to individuals who receive SSDI payments

State Supplemental Program (SSP)
- Additional supplemental income in addition to what is provided through SSDI
- Individuals must have SSDI in order to qualify for SSP
- Read more about eligibility and how to apply here: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-massachusetts-state-supplement-program-eligibility-and-payments
Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) - a work incentive program that allows individuals to set aside income to pay for education or training for the purpose of obtaining employment
Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) - this program allows individuals who are out of school and looking for employment to exclude certain costs from their gross income in order to maximize their SSI benefit payment amount
- https://www.ssa.gov/redbook/eng/ssdi-and-ssi-employments-supports.htm
- https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-plans-self-support.htm

Anchor 2

Individuals who apply and qualify for SSI will automatically receive MassHealth

MassHealth Commonwealth is for people with disabilities regardless of income, MassHealth Standard is based only off income
MassHealth/Medicaid insurance is secondary to any other insurance the individual has
Can fund Day Habilitation Programs, Personal Care Attendant (PCA), Adult Family Care (AFC)
You can apply for Premium Assistance to receive reimbursements on premiums you may pay through the primary insurance, if applicable
Learn more at https://www.mass.gov/information-for-masshealth-applicants

Anchor 3

SNAP Benefits help individuals expand their healthy food budget

Benefits: monthly funds on an EBT card to buy food, financial incentives to buy local product, free nutrition classes and resources, SNAP Path to Work education and training opportunities, and "Card to Culture" discounted admission to museums and cultural institutions in MA
Eligibility: an individual with a disability living with an income below the limit (as determined by family size and type of housing)
Apply online: https://dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov/

Anchor 4

Anchor 5

Anchor 6

1 / Planning Across the Spectrum

Offers a variety of financial planning services for families of children and young adults with developmental disabilities as well as working directly with neurodiverse young adults
Areas of staff expertise include ABLE accounts, insurance planning, financial wellness, government benefits, legal planning, and neurodiverse investing
https://planningacrossthespectrum.com/

Funding supports to help individuals afford the costs of buying and maintaining a car:
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/funding-for-community-transportation#funding-for-individuals-
Community Action Rides (CARs) Program
- Program for low-income residents of Berkshire County to acquire cars through low-interest loans and financial literacy coaching
- https://berkshirecap.wp.iescentral.com/lending-programs/
Good News Garage
- Partnership between MRC and Ascentria Care Alliance that provides refurbished, donates vehicles to MRC members who otherwise could not afford to purchase a car on their own
- https://goodnewsgarage.org/programs/all-programs/

Anchor 7