Our Resources section provides information about other community supports to bereaved family members of our local fallen heroes. This entire section is downloadable as our Community Resource Guide.
Crisis Hotline & Counseling
Crisis Hotlines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK
800-273-TALK (8255)
- A 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis
Massachusetts 24/7 Social Service Hotline 2-1-1 (in MA) / 877-211-MASS877-211-MASS (6277)
Counseling
MA Veterans Centers
Bereavement counseling Phone: 617-210-5480617-210-5480 or 202-273-5480202-273-5480
Family outreach counselor comes to the home of vets and their families for free.
Boston Vet Center Phone: 617-424-0665617-424-0665 Fax: (617) 424-0254
665 Beacon Street
Suite 100, Boston, MA 02215
Brockton Vet Center Phone: (508) 580-2730 Fax: (508) 586-8414
1041L Pearl Street
Brockton, MA 02301
Hyannis Vet Center Phone: (508) 778-0124 Fax: (508) 775-3014
474 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Lowell Vet Center Phone: (978) 453-1151 Fax: (978) 441-1271
73 East Merrimack St.
Lowell, MA 08152
New Bedford Vet Center Phone: (508) 999-6920 Fax: (508) 997-3348
468 North St.
New Bedford, MA 02740
Springfield Vet Center Phone: (508) 999-6920 Fax: (508) 997-3348
1985 Main St. Northgate Plaza
Springfield, MA 01103
Worcester Vet Center Phone: (508) 753-7902 Fax: (508) 753-4296
691 Grafton Street
Worcester, MA 01604
Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment (SAVE) Phone: (888) 844-2838
- SAVE acts as a liaison between veterans and their families and the various agencies within the federal and state governments. The program’s primary mission is prevention of suicide and mental health distress when the veterans return from service and proactively providing them with access to benefits and service.
- The SAVE team’s mission is expanding to include grief counseling and support both to military and gold star family members.
- SAVE Team – 600 Washington Street, suite 1100, Boston, MA 02111 Save@massmail.state.ma.us
Operation Comfort 866-NEAR TO U (866-632-7868)
Give an Hour www.giveanhour.org
- Free mental health counseling for military families
Alternative Therapies
Yoga is for everyone – 40 min free clinics· Contact Ann Breslauer at yoga_for_us@yahoo.com· Mary Peak in the volunteers office (857) 364-4112· These classes are offered free to all Veterans and their spouses
Writing Workshop for Veterans
Meets Tuesday from 6-8. If interested please call Cynthia Peters 857-928-3048 or email at cyn.peters@gmail.com
Educational & Recreational
Massachusetts Public Service Grant 617-727-9420, x1310
- Tuition assistance for dependent qualified military family members for Massachusetts public college education
- www.osfa.mass.edu/default.asp?page=publicServiceGrant
Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund 866-856-5533
- Grants for qualified children of fallen Massachusetts service members
- http://www.mslfund.org/
Tillman Military Scholarship
- Scholarships available to service members or dependents.
- http://www.pattillmanfoundation.org/
Recreational
Camp Tapawingo 207-647-3351
- The Circle Program of Camp Tapawingo is a free, one week camp in Maine for girls aged 8-12 who have lost a parent in military service.
- Referrals for military families are being coordinated by Cathy Spear at 781-431-1177, ext. 215
- www.camptapawingo.com
Comfort Zone Camp 866-488-5679
- A free, weekend Massachusetts camp for children aged 7-17 who have lost a direct family member (parent, guardian, sibling)
- Licensed professionals facilitate sessions to provide supportive atmosphere
- www.comfortzonecamp.org
Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund 888-909-HERO (4376)
- Serves families of Massachusetts service members fallen in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom
- Provides free or low cost community building events
- Access is limited to registered members – to register call number above
Financial
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Phone: 800-827-1000800-827-1000
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Benefits Phone: 617-210-5927
Your local Veterans’ Agent is the best person to assist you through the many types of Massachusetts benefits available to you. We have tried to compile a list of the benefits most commonly inquired about by military families, but you should discuss this list with your Veterans’ Agent in more detail. You can find your local Veterans’ Agent by calling the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services at 617-210-5927 or by visiting this web site: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=veteransutilities&L=1&sid=Eveterans&U=veteransagents_A
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Annuity Phone: 617-210-5927
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Department of Veterans’ Services provide an annuity in the amount of $2,000 to 100% service-connected disabled veterans. This annuity is payable bi-annually on August 1st and February 1st in two installments of $1000 each. It is granted to 100% service-connected disabled veterans, to the surviving parents (Gold Star Parents) and the un-remarried spouses (Gold Star Wives or Husbands) of certain deceased veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country during wartime. For more information, contact the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services at (617) 210-5927 or see this web site: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=veteranstopic&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Benefits&sid=Eveterans
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bonus Phone: 617-367-9333 x539
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also provides a bonus to veterans of certain designated campaigns (including Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle) who were domiciled in Massachusetts immediately prior to entry into the armed forces. In the event of the death of a veteran, the spouse and children, mother or father, brother or sister or other dependents of the deceased veteran (in that order) are eligible for a bonus. For more information, contact the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Treasurer at (617) 367-9333, ext. 539 (OEF/OIF/ONE veterans only), email veteransbonus@tre.state.ma.us or see this web site: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=veteranstopic&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Benefits&sid=Eveterans
Public Assistance (Ch. 115)
Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. ch. 115), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of financial and medical assistance for indigent veterans and their dependents (Gold Star family members are also included). Qualifying veterans and their dependents receive 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 and income from all sources. Eligible dependents of deceased veterans are provided with the same benefits as they would was the veteran still living.
How to apply for Public Assistance:
Applications for Chapter 115 Public Assistance benefits can be filed with the veteran’s local Veterans Agent who works out of your city or town hall. To find your Agent:
- See the complete listing of Veterans Agents in Massachusetts.
- Call your local city/town hall and ask for Veterans’ Services.
Or, call the Department of Veterans’ Services, 617-210-5480 and ask for your Veterans’ Agent name and contact information.
Massachusetts Real Estate Tax Relief Phone: 617-626-2400
The Massachusetts Legislature allows certain categories of surviving spouses of veterans and Gold Star parents exemptions from real estate tax. For more information, please see contact your local Board of Assessors, call the MA Department of Revenue, Division of Local Services at 617-626-2400, or see this guide: http://www.mass.gov/Ador/docs/dls/publ/brochures/veterans.pdf