Program Mission
The Massachusetts Money Management Program promotes and prolongs independent living for income eligible individuals over 60 who are at risk because of their inability to manage their own finances.
In order to achieve this mission, the Massachusetts Money Management Program:
- Provides money management assistance that enables people to live as independently as possible.
- Helps in the least intrusive way so that a person’s dignity and privacy are preserved.
- Provides program safeguards to protect the consumer, the volunteer, and the local ASAP.
The Massachusetts Money Management Program (MMMP) began in September 1991. Today, the MMMP is overseen by the EOEA and Mass Home Care. It is sponsored by the EOEA and local Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs). The statewide MMMP Program Coordinator is housed at Tri-Valley, Inc, and the program is run by 21 ASAPs across the state.
The MMMP provides bill payer and representative payee services. Both services rely on the commitment of trained, insured, supervised volunteers and are free to income eligible older adults.
Bill Payer
This service is for income eligible individuals over 60 who need help but are capable of making decisions regarding their finances. Consumers in the Bill Payer program are matched with trained and supervised volunteers, who provide functional assistance on the routine tasks of money management. Volunteers meet with individuals on a monthly basis to:
- Develop a budget.
- Balance the checkbook and reconcile the bank statement.
- Write checks.
- Assist to identify financial scams and fraud and avoid financial exploitation
Representative Payee
This service is for those who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. A payee is assigned, either the ASAP or a volunteer, to manage the federal benefits for the consumer. By having a qualified, trained person making financial decisions, the client is better able to maintain independence in other areas of their lives.
To learn more about the representative payee program, go to ssa.gov/payee .
What the MMMP cannot do
- Assist with tax preparation or filing.
- Provide investment advice.
- Run errands or drive individuals to appointments.
- Provide money or loans to individuals.
- Complete public benefits or housing applications.
- Act as intermediary in family financial conflicts.
If you or someone you know needs services outside the scope of the MMMP, please contact your local ASAP for more information or go to https://masshomecare.info/wp/
Who needs the MMMP?
The following circumstances suggest someone might benefit from MMMP assistance.
- Unpaid bills and other mail sit unopened or piled up around the house.
- The individual has a disability that makes check writing and/or understanding financial communications a challenge.
- Utilities have been shut off in the past year.
- The individual forgets to pay bills.
- The individual’s checking account is frequently overdrawn.
- The individual has lost the person who usually pays the bills.
Who is Eligible for the MMMP?
To be eligible for free service from the MMMP individuals need to
- Be over 60. In some cases, the individual can be under 60 if they are experiencing a disability.
- Meet the HUD low-income guidelines.
- Be willing and able to work with a volunteer (for bill payer service).
- Already have or be able to open a checking account.
If you want to refer an individual to the MMMP, or you think someone needs the services of the MMMP but are not sure, please contact your local ASAP for more information. To find your local ASAP, please visit our ASAP Search page and select the city or town where the individual lives.