• Massachusetts has a number of assistance programs for low income families.state house massachusetts image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com
  
  Even for working families, making ends meet can be difficult. Fortunately, for low income families in Massachusetts, there are a variety of programs to help. Whether you need help putting food on the table or keeping your utilities turned on, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a program that might be able to assist you during hard times.
  
  

Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program

• The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program to help low income families get the food that they need to stay nourished. The level of assistance varies by income, and qualifications vary depending on the number of people living in your household. Applicants must also have low levels of personal savings to receive benefits.
  
  

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

• The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers benefits designed to help residents of the Commonwealth keep their heat on when the weather is cold. Benefits are fixed and are calculated using a household's total income. LIHEAP benefits are administered by local agencies. Help is available for applicants who have heating bills as part of their rent as well as people who live in subsidized housing.
  
  

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

• The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (known popularly as "WIC") helps pregnant, postpartum and nursing women as well as children under the age of five. Benefits include food items, health care referrals and nutritional education. To qualify you must see a health care provider who determines that you are at nutritional risk and meet income qualifications. People receiving certain government benefits (Medicaid, food stamps or Temporary Aid for Needy Families) automatically pass the income qualification.
  
  

MassHealth

• MassHealth is a program designed to help everyone in Massachusetts get proper health care. Low to medium income families who already have health insurance may qualify, as will those with dependents below the age of 19, people under the age of 19 (regardless of whether or not they live at home), pregnant women, long-term unemployed workers and people whose HIV status is positive. Income level depending, premiums may be required to receive this service.
  
  

Weatherization Assistance Program

• The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low income families prepare their homes for the cold Massachusetts winter. Assistance is available for weather stripping and caulking as well as the installation of insulation and storm windows. Minor repairs are also included in this program. Benefits are calculated by the number of people living in a household and their combined income.