Massachusetts Assistance Programs: Cash, Food, RAFT Housing Help, HEAP, and MassHealth

Massachusetts assistance programs at a glance

SNAP and the Healthy Incentives Program

From Oct. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2027, one person can receive up to $306 a month and a family of three up to $808. Massachusetts uses broader income rules than the federal minimum for many households, so apply even if you are a little over $1,729 a month for one. Estimate your amount with our SNAP calculator.

The state’s Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) puts money back on your EBT card when you buy fruits and vegetables from farmers markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and CSA farm shares that take part. The monthly cap depends on household size: $40, $60, or $80. HIP has had funding shortfalls; the cap was cut to $40 for everyone in July 2025, and DTA restored the three tiers on September 1, 2025. If a farmer’s machine says your HIP is used up, the rest of your SNAP still works.

TAFDC and EAEDC cash rules

TAFDC (Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children) is the state’s TANF program. The FY25 state budget raised grants 10% starting April 2025, lifting the maximum for a family of three from $783 to $861 a month, according to the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. Advocates pushed for another raise in the FY27 budget; we found no new increase in effect, so treat $861 as current until DTA says otherwise.

The National Center for Children in Poverty’s 2025–26 Massachusetts profile describes rules that differ from most states:

• Time limit: 24 months of cash in any five-year period for many families, with extensions allowed, rather than the federal 60 months.
• Job search before approval: parents who must meet work rules contact three employers within 30 days of applying, and three more in the next 30 days.
• Income test: a family of three can have countable income up to $901 a month ($861 in subsidized housing), after a $200 earnings deduction.
• No asset limit and no family cap; pregnant people can qualify once the pregnancy is verified.
• Exemptions: parents of children under 24 months, and some parents with a disability or caring for a disabled family member.

EAEDC (Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children) is a state-funded program for people who don’t qualify for TAFDC or SSI: adults 65 and older, adults with a disability, and some caretakers of unrelated children. The individual grant rose from $401 to about $441 in April 2025. Many people receive EAEDC while an SSI claim is pending.

RAFT help with rent and housing costs

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) is one of the few state rent programs still taking applications. According to mass.gov, it pays up to $7,000 per household in a 12-month period toward back rent, utility arrears, moving costs, first and last month’s rent, security deposits, or mortgage arrears for owner-occupants. Income must be under 50% of area median income (under 60% for households at risk of domestic violence), and you need a housing crisis such as a notice to quit.

Payments go to the landlord or utility, not to you. After you apply on the Housing Help Hub, your landlord must complete a landlord application within 21 days or your application times out. Most applicants hear back in under 30 days. Families who lose housing may qualify for Emergency Assistance shelter and HomeBASE, which can pay up to $30,000 over two years. Our Massachusetts rent relief guide covers the eviction timeline and voucher programs.

Fuel assistance and utility discounts

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps renters and homeowners with heating costs for any fuel, through local agencies such as Boston’s ABCD. For 2026–27, applications opened October 1, 2026, and coverage runs November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. Household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income, per mass.gov’s HEAP page:

The one-person limit rose from $51,777 last season. Past recipients get a recertification form by mail. HEAP approval also enrolls you in your electric or gas company’s low-income discount rate and makes you eligible for its arrearage management program, which can forgive old balances as you pay. The Massachusetts Heat Line, 1-800-632-8175, can tell you which agency serves your town. See our Massachusetts utility relief guide.

MassHealth and ConnectorCare coverage

MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, covers adults with income up to 138% of the poverty line and children and pregnant people at higher incomes. ConnectorCare plans offer low-cost private coverage with state help above that. A state pilot extended ConnectorCare toward 500% of poverty, but because the larger federal premium tax credits ended after 2025, ConnectorCare in 2026 generally stops at 400% of poverty. Apply once through the Massachusetts Health Connector, which screens you for both. See our Medicaid guide for the national rules.

Tax credits and child care help

Two state tax credits are worth filing for even if you owe no tax:

• Child and Family Tax Credit: $440 for each child under 13, dependent 65 or older, or disabled dependent, with no cap on the number of dependents. You don’t need income or a Social Security number to claim it, but you must file a Massachusetts return.
• Massachusetts EITC: 40% of your federal earned income tax credit, for tax years starting in 2023.

For child care, the Department of Early Education and Care runs income-eligible Child Care Financial Assistance. Regulations now allow families up to 85% of state median income, but access depends on funding and a waitlist. Since May 6, 2026, families apply through EEC’s MyChildCareMA portal. Families on TAFDC or involved with DCF usually get child care through a referral from those agencies instead of the waitlist.

A worked example for a family of three

These are estimates; DTA, the RAFT agency, your fuel assistance agency, and MassHealth make the real decisions.

The family: a mother in Worcester with two children, ages 4 and 9. She earns $2,200 a month. She is $3,000 behind on rent and has a 14-day notice to quit.

• RAFT: her $3,000 balance fits under the $7,000 cap. Her income of $26,400 a year is very likely under 50% of Worcester’s area median income, but she should confirm with the RAFT eligibility checker. She should apply right away and ask her landlord to complete the landlord form within 21 days.
• SNAP: 20% comes off earnings ($1,760 left), then the $217 standard deduction, leaving about $1,543 before the shelter deduction. A rough estimate is $808 minus 30% of $1,543 ($463), or about $345 a month, and more once rent counts.
• TAFDC: her earnings are well above the $901 limit for three, so she likely won’t qualify for cash.
• HEAP: $26,400 is far under the $86,561 limit for three. Approval also gets her the utility discount rate.
• MassHealth: her income is under 138% of poverty for three, so she and both children should qualify.
• Tax credits: two children under 13 mean $880 from the Child and Family Tax Credit, plus a state EITC equal to 40% of her federal EITC.

Massachusetts documents to have ready

For RAFT, have your lease or tenancy proof, the notice to quit or court papers, your landlord’s contact details, and a ledger or letter showing what you owe; the online application takes about 20 to 30 minutes. For HEAP, have your heating bill or fuel dealer’s name and, if heat is included in rent, your lease showing that. DTA lets you upload verifications through DTA Connect after you apply. Our document checklist covers ID, income, and address proof in general.

How to apply, step by step

1. Apply at DTA Connect (online or app) for SNAP, TAFDC, or EAEDC. Ask for expedited SNAP if you have little or no money.
2. Apply for RAFT on the Housing Help Hub as soon as you get a notice, and tell your landlord to watch for the landlord form.
3. Apply for HEAP at your local fuel assistance agency; the 2026–27 season has started.
4. Apply for MassHealth or ConnectorCare through the Health Connector.
5. File a state tax return to claim the Child and Family Tax Credit and state EITC.
6. Dial 211 or (877) 211-6277 for food pantries, charities, and legal aid.

Related guides

• Massachusetts hardship relief
• Massachusetts mortgage relief
• Benefits for low-income families
• How to apply for unemployment insurance

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice, and not an application. Amounts change with each state budget; confirm with the agency that runs each program. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency.