State & Federal Agencies and Resources

Mass Home Care - Are you looking for eldercare information, or services for a family member or friend? Is care in the community your first choice? Mass Home Care can help you find what you need.

We want to help you and your family age well. Instead of spending hours searching for the right service, let us put the pieces together for you.

Benefits Check-Up - See if you qualify for benefit programs to help pay for medications, health care, food, utilities and more.

Government Benefits - This website is a database of all the government benefit programs available. There is a 54-question questionnaire you can take to try to identify programs that will be beneficial for you. The website also offers quick search to browse a list of benefit programs.

Medicare - This is the official U.S. Government site for Medicare.

The website provides information on Medicare eligibility, plan choices, getting a replacement card, billing, and other questions and concerns you may have about your Medicare coverage.

Below is a link that will take you directly to where you can find information coverage for specific services and supplies. Coverage Information.

PACE Fuel Assistance - The PACE Fuel Assistance Program assists moderate and low income households with their heating needs. The Program helps pay heating bills from November 1st through April 30th every year. Fuel Assistance is an income-based program and it does not matter what source of heat the client uses. Some clients whose heat is included in their rent may also be eligible.

In addition to paying client heating bills, eligible clients are put on a low income rate for their gas, electric and telephone bills.

When a household is eligible for Fuel Assistance they may also be eligible for weatherization of their home or apartments and heating system repair or replacement if they are homeowners. With an energy audit of their residence the program has the ability to replace refrigerators if the existing one is insufficient.

PACE, Inc.  |  166 William St.  |  New Bedford, MA 02740  |  508-999-9920

Mattapoisett Residents 60+  -  PACE APPLICATION and assistance  |  508-758-4110  |  outreachcoa@mattapoisett.net

Food Assistance:

Eligibility - Eligibility Check    

Many different people are eligible for food assistance. Eligibility is determined on your monthly income and how many people live in your home.

For more information on eligibility you can click the link below to do a quick online eligibility check.

How Do I Apply? - Online Application

The online application process is new, so consequently, it is only offered to residents that live in the following towns: Assonet, East Freetown, Fall River, Somerset, Westport or Westport Point.

All other residents must apply at your local Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Office.

The local office for our area is the New Bedford DTA office.

Address: 160 West Rodney French Boulevard           Phone: (508) 961-2000
                New Bedford, MA 02744                             Fax: (508) 961-2100
                
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs - This is the official Commonwealth of Massachusetts website for aging related human services. The website seeks to help elders and their families and provides information on caring for an elderly parent, getting nutritious meals, help with prescription drugs, housing, along with many other links to helpful programs.

Massachusetts Commission For The Blind - The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) provides the highest quality rehabilitation and social services to blind individuals, leading to independence and full community participation. MCB accomplishes this critical mission by working in partnership with legally blind consumers, families, community agencies, health care providers, and employers.

MCB is committed to the following principles:

  • Providing responsive, high quality, individualized services.
  • Promoting full access to community resources.
  • Offering individuals choices among services tailored to meet their unique needs.
  • Eliminating barriers to employment and community integration.
  • Exploring and applying new technologies to enhance opportunities.
  • Valuing the partnership of the agency Rehabilitation Council as well as input from a wide public audience and recognizing that community advocacy and advisory groups are an essential component of system planning.
  • Maintaining a confidential register of legally blind individuals to ensure that these individuals receive services and benefits for which they are eligible and to collect important information on the causes of blindness.

Alzheimer’s AssociationAlzheimer's Disease is a  progressive neurologic disease of the brain that leads to the irreversible loss of neurons and  dementia. The clinical hallmarks of  Alzheimer's disease are progressive impairment in memory, judgment, decision making, orientation to physical surroundings, and language. A working diagnosis of Alzheimer disease is usually made on the basis of the neurologic examination.

National Osteoporosis Foundation - Osteoporosis is a disease of  bone that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis thebone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone microarchite cture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of non-collagenous proteins in bone is altered.

NOF's Vision is to make bone health a reality and a lifelong priority for all individuals.

Federal and State Nursing Home and Assisted Living Regulations - COVID-19 exposed many vulnerabilities in assisted living and nursing homes, causing some seniors to reconsider moving in. This guide explores the federal and state regulations in place for these communities, especially regarding cost, health and safety. It also discusses enforcement and how to get data on how closely a facility follows regulations.