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Financial Assistance - Other
 

Sections:

  • Funds for Medical Expenses

    • Program is closed- The Caring Voice Coalition Financial Assistance Program may pay a portion or all of a patient's share of cost under the patient's health insurance plan. A patient can receive financial support through one of these grant programs

    • Dollar For - national nonprofit that "crushes" hospital bills by empowering patients and advocating on their behalf. They educate patients about hospital charity care programs, help patients navigate the application process, and call out hospitals that don’t follow regulations. Services are completely free.

      Our online eligibility screener helps patients quickly see if they are likely to qualify for financial assistance.

      For eligible people, Dollar For offers self advocacy and full service options to help submit financial assistance applications:

      • Our online manual and automated self-service system walk patients through the step-by-step process of applying for financial assistance.
      • Our dedicated staff of patient advocates prepare and submit applications, then help patients follow up on cases. Dollar for has already helped patients submit over 3,200 charity care applications.

    • Good Days - Co-Pay assistance for patients with chronic disease, cancers or life-altering conditions.

      See list of qualifying conditions (note: status of each fund may change throughout the year depending on funding).

      Co-pays and premium assistance - In some cases, they not only cover the co-pay, but can also help with insurance premiums.

      Travel Concierge Program- helps those eligible with everything from air travel to overnight stays to parking, when medically necessary as determined by the prescribing physician. An appointment with your healthcare provider must already be scheduled.

      To ensure they can accommodate specific travel needs, please enroll in the Travel Concierge Program at least two (2) business days in advance of your appointment.

      Transportation can include travel by ground and air to pre-approved medical appointments. If a treatment or appointment requires an overnight stay, they’ll even cover the expense and help arrange lodging. Secondary expenses such as parking, fuel and meals are covered, too.

      Patient Care Navigators 877-968-7233

      How to Apply and Apply

    • Healthwell Foundation
      --Reduces barriers to medical care for patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases. Offers financial assistance to eligible patients to cover certain out-of-pocket health care costs, including:
      • Prescription drug coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles
      • Health insurance premiums
      • Other selected out-of-pocket health care costs

    • The National Marrow Donor Program offers financial assistance to those seeking help for the cost of searching the registry www.marrow.org ("Be the Match"). These Search Assistance Funds can help pay the costs not covered by insurance for searching Be The Match Registry of unrelated adult donors and cord blood units.
      Transplant Support Assistance Fund may help pay for some costs during the first twelve months after transplant that are not covered by insurance. Such as
      • Secondary (temporary) housing, including utility bills if you and your family or caregiver need to relocate
      • Food for you and your family or caregiver
      • Parking or mileage for ground transportation
      • Uncovered post-transplant prescriptions and clinic visits and copays
      • Insurance premiums (to continue your insurance coverage)
      Site also has links to other sources of financial assistance: Financial services page.
      For more information or to apply contact a patient services coordinator:

    • National Organization of Rare Diseases 800-999-6673
      --Has co-pay assistance programs for medications for rare diseases and also administers Early Access Programs for investigational new drugs (INDs).

    • NeedyMeds 800-503-6897
      --Needymeds.org is a non-profit organization with the mission of helping people who cannot afford medicine or health care costs. Their website provides information about government run programs (federal and state), pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs, discount cards and coupons. They also have their own discount card, profits from which strengthen and support their services.

    • Patient Access Network Foundation (PANF) 866-316-7263
      --Provides assistance to patients who cannot access the treatments they need due to out-of-pocket health care costs (deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance).

    • Patient Advocate Foundation 866-512-3861
      --Provides mediation and professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses. PAF case managers serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters as they relate to their diagnosis, also assisted by doctors and healthcare attorneys.  Patient Advocate Foundation seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability. (Also have co-pay relief program at www.copays.org).

    • Patient Services, Incorporated (PSI) 800-366-7741
      -- PSI may subsidize the cost of health insurance premiums for patients with specific chronic illnesses who meet medical and financial eligibility criteria. PSI also offers copayment assistance, ancilliary assistance, infusion and nursing services, and travel assistance.

    • Prosthetics- Private Foundations

    • The Assistance Fund (TAF)
      --Patient assistance organization that helps patients and families facing high medical out-of-pocket costs by providing financial assistance for their copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other health-related expenses. We currently manage nearly 80 disease programs, each of which covers all FDA-approved treatment for the disease named in the program. Enroll: https://enroll.tafcares.org/ - includes list of qualifying diseases and waitlist status.

    • The United Healthcare Children's Foundation - Grants provide financial relief for families who have children with medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health benefit plan. For more information, see UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation- MGH Community News, November 2018

    • Related: Bridge Loans to help seniors’ families with the cost of assisted living, home care or skilled nursing on a short term basis, while awaiting the sale of a home or the receipt of Veteran’s benefits. Learn more: Assisted Living and Home Care Bridge Loans- MGH Community News, August 2015

    • Also see:  

  • Household Goods- See Homelessness Prevention

  • Individual Development Accounts - An individual development account (IDA) is a special matched savings account to help low-income people put money aside for homeownership, education, or a small business. "Individual Development Accounts: Cash for Savings" - MGH Community News, September, 2009.

  • Long-Term Care - Veterans (and spouses) see Veterans' Aid & Attendance Benefit on our Veterans page

  • Taxes

    • The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

      • The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a “refundable tax credit” for working, low-income individuals and families. Even workers whose earnings are too small to owe income tax can get the EITC! To get it, one must file a federal tax return with the IRS.

      Massachusetts also has an Earned Income tax credit (EIC). To get the credit, you need to file a state tax return and send it to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. The amount of the credit is based on the amount received on the federal EITC.

      The EITC lifts more low-income families out of poverty than any other benefit program.

      Plea for outreach 

      Many families will need to rely on these credits to help them keep up with household bills and even to help stave off more dire situations, such as mortgage foreclosure. They may not realize they could qualify for the credits. Millions of eligible individuals do not file for the credits and ended up forgoing millions of dollars for which they qualify.  Now, when the stakes are so high for struggling families, your involvement in outreach can help ensure that these vital benefits do not go unclaimed.

      More information is on our EITC page.

    • MA Child and Dependent Tax Credit - Including for Undocumented Kids and Those Who Don't Owe Taxes

      As of April 2024, the Department of Revenue (DOR) will now issue temporary tax identification numbers for undocumented children who cannot obtain Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) but are eligible for the Massachusetts Child and Family Tax Credit.

      What this means:

      • Every child under 13, and some disabled dependents/spouses*, who were residents of Massachusetts in the most recent tax year are eligible for this credit of $310 per person (for 2023).
      • There is no income requirement, and a Social Security number is not necessary.

      *A disabled dependent or spouse or a dependent age 65 or over - A dependent or spouse with a disability is an individual who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself and who principally lives with the taxpayer for more than one-half of the taxable year. A dependent 65 or over must be someone other than the taxpayer or spouse. (Source and for more info: mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-child-and-family-tax-credit)

      A dependent or spouse with a disability is an individual who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself and who principally lives with the taxpayer for more than one-half of the taxable year.

      Why this is important:

      Previously, undocumented children faced challenges receiving the credit because the IRS wouldn't issue ITINs solely for state benefits. Thanks to DOR's decision, these children can now access the financial support they deserve.

      How to take advantage of this credit:

      Parents/guardians of eligible children must file a Massachusetts tax return to claim the credit. There is no deadline to claim the Child Tax Credit for 2023 on your tax return. You can still file and claim the credit even if it's past the standard filing deadline of April 15th, 2024.

      Whether/how one would receive the credit depends on their tax situation:

      • If they filed a tax return and are due a refund: The credit will be included in their tax refund (MA Tax Return will ask for it).
      • If they didn't file a tax return but are not due any taxes: They can still file and claim the credit.
      • If they owe taxes: The IRS may use the credit to offset what they owe, so they may not receive a refund, but it will reduce their tax liability.

      The IRS doesn't check your immigration status when you apply for the Child Tax Credit. If you meet the eligibility requirements and file an accurate tax return, you can claim the credit regardless of your income source.

      For More Information

      For more details on the Child and Family Tax Credit, please visit the Mass.gov website.

       

    • Free Tax Preparation

      Those with low to moderate income, or who are age 60 or older, or have a disability or have limited English proficiency, may be able to get free one-on-one tax preparation assistance for federal and state returns at a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site or TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) AARP Tax-Aide site. Volunteer tax preparers at these sites are certified by the IRS. Most sites can e-file tax returns for free.

      VITA and TCE sites are located in community centers, libraries, churches, shopping malls, retirement homes, and similar locations. Sites are open during the tax season, usually from January through April. 

      To find a free VITA or TCE tax preparation site:

      Some sites require an appointment, while others have walk-in hours. See also What to bring with you to the site from the DTA, or Important documents to bring from the AARP.

      Other tax assistance options include free file software and free file fillable forms.

      (See related newsletter articles 2/19, 1/16, and 2/15).

      (Free Tax Prep section rev 2/16)

    • Tax Breaks for Boston Seniors

      There are some ways older residents in Boston can save money on their taxes or receive free tax assistance, which is available to people with low to moderate income, those age 60 or over or who have a disability or have limited English proficiency. For more information, see Tax Breaks for Seniors and Boston Residents, MGH Community News, March 2018.

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    • File an extension for filing and paying Massachusetts income tax

      You may be able to apply for an extension if you're not ready to file your Massachusetts income tax by the due date. The extension must be filed on or before Massachusetts Tax Day and will not be accepted after midnight on that date. Electronic extensions can be filed on MassTaxConnect or paper extensions are filed on:

      For more information, see mass.gov or call Massachusetts Department of Revenue's Tax Departmentat 617-887-6367.

      •  

    • Non-Citizens: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

      Important note: IRS Agrees to Use Tax Data to Locate Immigrants

      In April 2025 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem signed an agreement allowing IRS cooperation with ICE to locate immigrants suspected of being in the United States unlawfully by accessing what had previously been considered confidential IRS tax data. Under the terms of the agreement, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials must provide the targeted person’s name and address, and the specific reason the disclosure could be relevant to a non-tax-related criminal investigation. The possibility of such an agreement had raised alarms among current and former IRS officials, who said it was a privacy breach. The IRS had previously, for years, reassured undocumented workers that their tax information is confidential and that it is safe for them to file income tax returns without fear of being deported. (More information.)

      Background and General ITIN information:

      Even those without a Social Security Number May be Required to File Taxes. Those required to file income taxes can apply for an ITIN. An ITIN is a tax processing number issued by the IRS regardless of immigration status. In the past, ITIN applicants and holders were protected by privacy requirements that limit the information the IRS could share with other agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

      • MA undocumented children and certain dependents/spouses with disabilities may qualify for a tax credit, even if they don't owe taxes. The Commonwealth will issue temporary tax identification numbers for undocumented children who cannot obtain Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. Learn more above.
      • Newsletter articles: MGH Community News April, 2014

      (additional details here: MGH Community News article, January 2017). MGH Community News article, January 2017- Includes information on how ITINs can be useful in immigration advocacy and in other situations.

       

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