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MassResources.org
A free online resource for Massachusetts residents in need of housing, food, health care, and other basic services.

• New: American Opportunity Education Tax Credit (Hope Credit)
  The American Opportunity Tax Credit is a federal tax credit for low and moderate income families and individuals who paid for tuition, fees, books, and supplies during the tax year. The credit applies to the first four years of post-secondary education.
  
  The American Opportunity Tax Credit replaces the Hope Credit for tax years 2009 and 2010. The credit equals 100% of the first $2000, and 25% of the next $2000 paid, up to a maximum of $2500 per year per student. Forty percent of the credit is refundable, allowing families with little or no tax liability to get a refund payment of up to $1000 per student.
  
• Added: Lifetime Learning Credit
  The Lifetime Learning Credit is a federal tax credit for low and moderate income families and individuals who paid tuition and related educational expenses during the tax year. The credit applies to full-time or part-time post-secondary education, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional study.
  
  The credit equals 20% of the first $10,000 paid for all family members, up to a maximum of $2000 per year per family. The credit is not refundable.
  
• Update: Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension and Expansion
  The federal homebuyer tax credit has been extended and expanded through June 30, 2010. First-time homebuyers and non-first-time homebuyers are now eligible for the credit. Income limits have increased to $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married taxpayers for the full credit; and $145,000 single and $245,000 married for the partial credit.
• Added: Tracking devices for wanderers
  Several types of tracking devices are available to help find people who wander due to Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, or other cognitive disorders. Some devices use GPS satellite tracking, while others use radio frequency signals. You can get information about tracking devices from your local Elder Services agency, the AgeInfo line, the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Association, or Project Lifesaver.
• New: MedlinePlus Go Local: Massachusetts Health Services
  MedlinePlus Go Local Massachusetts is a free online directory of clinics, screening programs, referral services, physicians, hospitals, support groups, clinical trials, advocacy groups, education programs, and other health-related resources for Massachusetts residents. The directory is sorted by geographic area to help residents find resources in their local communities. MedlinePlus Go Local is a service of the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine.
  
• Added: Free Health Clinics
  Free clinics are community-based health care programs that provide medical, dental, vision, mental health, and other health-related services to uninsured or underinsured low income residents. Free clinics do not turn people away for inability to pay.
• Added: Commonwealth Care Bridge
  Commonwealth Care Bridge is a state-subsidized health insurance program for special status legal immigrants who lost their Commonwealth Care coverage on August 31, 2009 because of changes in state law. Commonwealth Care Bridge offers most of the benefits of Commonwealth Care. Members get health care services from CeltiCare, a statewide health plan.
  
• Update: Prescription Advantage Monthly Premium Subsidies
  Beginning January 1, 2010, Prescription Advantage will stop paying any portion of Medicare prescription drug plan monthly premiums. Medicare drug plans will bill Prescription Advantage members directly for their full premium costs. Members who are eligible for Extra Help from Social Security will continue to get those subsidies.
• Added: Senior Property Tax Work-Off Program
  The Senior Property Tax Work-Off Program allows seniors to do volunteer work for their local governments in exchange for a reduction in their property taxes. Senior volunteers earn credits for the hours they work, up to $1000 maximum in most communities. The credits lower their property tax bills.
• Update: WIC Approved Foods
  The list of Massachusetts WIC-approved foods now includes more nutritious food items with less fat, more fiber, less sugar, and fewer calories. Some of the additions are fresh fruits and vegetables, brown rice, whole grains, tofu, soy milk, low-fat / non-fat milk, and baby foods.
• Added: Job Programs for Youth
  Job programs for youth help teen and young adult Massachusetts residents find and keep jobs. Programs include:
  • Job Corps
    a free federal residential career technical training and education program for income-eligible young adults age 16 through 24
  • YouthBuild
    an education, job training, and community service program for low-income at-risk youth that helps students get their high school diploma or GED while also learning carpentry and other construction skills.
• Added: Job Training Programs
  Massachusetts residents who need job training to find work, advance in their jobs, or change careers may be eligible for job training assistance programs. Programs include:
  • Adult and Dislocated Worker Program
    for economically disadvantaged and dislocated workers
  • Apprenticeship Training
    for workers who want to earn wages while learning a skilled trade
  • Senior Aide Community Service Employment Program
    for low-income workers age 55 or older who face barriers to employment
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance Program
    for workers who lost their jobs because of foreign trade
• Added: Adult Basic Education / ESOL
  Adult learners who want to improve their education or English language skills can get free instruction from Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs. The Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline helps students find:
  • basic reading, writing, math, and problem-solving classes
  • ESOL/ESL English language lessons
  • GED preparation and test centers
  • other basic educational services for adults with academic skills below the 12th grade level
• Added: Special Education Programs
  Massachusetts public school districts provide special education programs for children and youth with disabilities, 3 to 21 years of age, at no cost to parents. Special education services are provided in the classroom, at home, at other community sites, or in hospitals or institutions.
• Added: Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
  Massachusetts homeowners and renters who get LIHEAP fuel assistance, SSI, or TAFDC can have their homes weatherized for free through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). After weatherization, homes are easier to heat, and fuel bills are lower.
• Added: MassHealth Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Program
  The Personal Care Attendant Program (PCA) helps people with long-term disabilities live independently at home. MassHealth gives funds to eligible Standard and CommonHealth members to hire their own PCAs to provide personal care services.
   
  MassHealth PCA participants can use the Massachusetts PCA Directory to find PCA