Resources
Help beyond what we do
Most families who call us need something we don't sell. A ride to an appointment. Help with a heating bill. Meals when cooking got hard. These are the programs we point people to, with the actual phone numbers. None of them pay us anything, and several of them do some of what we do — we'd still rather you get help from the right place than the nearest one.
Start here
Start here if you're not sure who to call
MassOptions
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Interpreters available in more than 100 languages.
A free state service that connects older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to the right local programs. If you only make one call, make it this one — they will route you.
Your local agency
Your local aging services agency
Massachusetts divides the state into regional agencies called ASAPs. Yours depends on your town. They handle Meals on Wheels, benefits counseling, care management and state-funded home care — and they are free to call.
Minuteman Senior Services
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Serves Arlington, Bedford, Burlington, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Wilmington, Winchester and Woburn.
Meals on Wheels, care management, caregiver support, and SHINE Medicare counseling.
Springwell
Serves Belmont, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley and Weston.
Meals on Wheels, care management, caregiver support and benefits help.
For Cambridge residents: call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636 and they will connect you with the agency serving Cambridge.
Food
Food
SNAP Senior Assistance Office
A dedicated line at the Department of Transitional Assistance for people aged 60 and older applying for SNAP food benefits. There is a shorter application for seniors, and rent, utility and medical costs can increase the benefit amount — report them.
Meals on Wheels
Hot meals delivered to people 60 and older who have trouble preparing their own.
Call your local agency above — Minuteman at (888) 222-6171 or Springwell at 617-926-4100.
Heating and utility bills
Heating and utility bills
Cold Relief Heatline (Fuel Assistance / LIHEAP)
Helps pay part of winter heating costs. Applications are generally taken from November through April, and help with the paperwork is available. There are also programs for emergency heating system repair and weatherization.
Utility discount rates
Discounted electricity and gas rates for households that qualify for certain public assistance programs or fall under the income limit.
Getting around
Getting around
Transportation Access Pass (TAP)
A reduced-fare CharlieCard for MBTA riders who hold a Medicare card or have a qualifying disability. It gives roughly half off most MBTA services — bus, subway, commuter rail and ferry. Ask about it at an MBTA CharlieCard Store, or call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636 and they will walk you through it.
Rides to medical appointments
If you have MassHealth, ask about PT-1 non-emergency medical transportation, which provides curb-to-curb rides to covered appointments. Your local agency above can also tell you what town-run senior transportation exists — most towns in our service area run something, and it is usually free or close to it.
Your town's Council on Aging
Every town has one, and most run local rides, meals and programs. Call MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636 for your town's number.
Medicare and prescription costs
Medicare and prescription costs
SHINE — free Medicare counseling
Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone. Trained counselors help you compare Medicare plans, understand what is covered, and apply for programs that lower costs. It is free, it is unbiased, and nobody is selling you a plan. In our service area, SHINE is run through Minuteman Senior Services at (888) 222-6171.
Prescription Advantage
TTY 877-610-0241
A Massachusetts program that can lower prescription drug costs for residents 65 and older, and for some younger people with disabilities. Worth checking even if you already have Medicare Part D.
MassHealth
TTY 1-800-497-4648
Massachusetts Medicaid. Many older adults qualify for MassHealth alongside Medicare, which can cover costs Medicare does not.
If someone is being harmed
If someone is being harmed
Elder Abuse and Protective Services Hotline
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you believe an older adult is being abused, neglected, or financially exploited, call. Reports can be made anonymously.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
These programs are run by state agencies and non-profits, not by Kinstead Home Care. We don't receive anything for listing them. Phone numbers and eligibility rules change — if something here is out of date, please tell us and we'll fix it. Last checked: August 2026.