COMMONWEATH OF MASSACHUSETTS
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES

LOCAL BENEFITS

Since 1861, from its first commitments to Civil War veterans, their spouses and dependents, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has demonstrated solid concern for those men and women who have displayed sacrifice, valor, and duty when their state and nation called upon them. It supports a network of services and benefits to ensure that none of the 500,000 veterans in the state today who served honorably, or their dependents, will go hungry, homeless or be medically deprived.

Following World War II, the Legislature completely rewrote Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 115 establishing a uniform program of financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents. The Legislature charged the Secretary of Veterans' Services with oversight of the program which is administered locally by Veterans Service Officers.

Veterans Service Officers assist and accept applications from unemployed, indigent, disabled, ill, injured veterans, surviving spouses, or dependents who are in need. Service officers interview applicants, determine their eligibility, and file requests with the Secretary for assistance. Veterans or their surviving spouses whose monthly income is $1733 or less and have cash assets of $1600 or less (if single) may be eligible for cash assistance from the city.

If a veteran, surviving spouse or dependent qualifies, the service officer will provide him (or her) with necessary financial assistance for food, shelter, clothing, housing supplies, and medical care in accordance with a formula which takes into account the number of dependents, income, assets and expenses from all sources. These expenditures are paid to the veteran or surviving spouse by the city or town in which they reside. The department also provides assistance in filing for city tax exemptions and abatements earmarked for disabled veterans and/or their surviving spouses. In addition, the program helps defray burial expenses for indigent veterans.

It is a modest program, separate from public welfare, but it provides veterans the necessary support, with dignity, to which they are entitled. Spouses and dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits, as if the veteran was still living.

In addition to the benefits paid through the program described above, the Commonwealth pays an annual annuity of $2,000  to certain veterans who have suffered permanent disabilities due to enemy action, illness or accident that occurred while on active duty, and to the parents and un-remarried spouse of a deceased veteran, whose death occurred as a result of injury sustained or disease contracted during active service.

Veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who have served since 9/11/2001 are now eligible to receive a cash bonus from the Commonwealth for their service. Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq will receive a $1,000 cash bonus and all other veterans who have served since 9/11/2001 will receive $500.

Effective July 1, 2006, members of the Massachusetts National Guard are now eligible for both tuition and fee waivers at any state school. This includes community colleges, state colleges and universities in addition to  the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. 

It is to be noted that the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services has no formal affiliation with the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA). Local service officers do however, provide assistance to all veterans and their families in applying for federal VA benefits, such as disability compensation, pensions, home loans, education and medical services. There are numerous other benefits and entitlements to which veterans or their families may be entitled to, please contact Cambridge Veterans' Services for further information.

You have a right to:

• File a written application for veterans' benefits at any time. You can insist upon this right, even if told that you are ineligible. 108 CMR 4:02 (1)
• Receive assistance from you local veterans' agent in completing your application. (M.G.L. c. 115, s. 3)
• Receive a full explanation of the services and benefits available under M.G.L.,Ch. 115, as well as other available benefits.
• Receive a written notice and explanation of the approval or denial of your application for benefits. 108 CMR 8:02
• Be treated with dignity and respect and to receive accurate, courteous and timely service.
• Appeal and request a hearing if you disagree with any action taken in your case. 108 CMR 8:07(1)
• Expect confidentiality; personal information will not be collected or used except for the purpose of determining your eligibility for benefits. (M.G.L. c. 40. s.51)
• Receive fair and equal treatment without regard to sex, race, religion, handicap, ethnicity or national origin. (M.G.L. c. 151B, s3)
• Preference in public employment (M.G.L. c. 31, s.25 and c. 41, sl12)

For addition information on your rights, call Cambridge Veterans' Services at (617) 349-4761, or call the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' State Office of Veterans' Services at (617) 727-3578.