MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

The Massachusetts Money Management Program was started in 1991 to help low-income older or disabled people who have difficulty budgeting, paying routine bills and keeping track of financial matters.

In 1994, funds from the Older Americans’ Act were used to provide statewide coordination of the program. There is now a network of 25 local programs covering the entire state.

Money Management Programs in MetroWest:

Each of the ASAPs serving communities in MetroWest offers a Money Management Program. The Money Management Program is collaboratively sponsored by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Mass Home Care and AARP Massachusetts.

Springwell
307 Waverley Oaks Road
Suite 205
Waltham, MA 02452
617-926-4100
MetroWest communities served:

Ashland, Canton, Dedham, Dover, Foxborough, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medfield, Millis, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, Northborough, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Walpole, Wayland, Wellesley, Westborough, Westwood, and Wrentham

Springwell’s Money Management Program is a financial services program that assists individuals who have difficulty managing their personal household budgets, paying bills, keeping track of banking records, intervening with creditors and handling other issues related to personal finances.

The Money Management Program offers two levels of financial assistance:

• Bill Payer Service, in which a trained volunteer assists an older adult or individual with a disability by writing checks, balancing a checkbook, sorting bills, developing a budget, monitoring income and expenses, or developing a repayment plan. The elder makes all the decisions and retains check-signing capacity.
• Representative payee services, in which volunteers are appointed by the Social Security Administration with the consent of a physician, for individuals who are deemed incapable of managing their own government checks. These volunteers have legal authority to sign checks on behalf of the client.

The Money Management Program at Springwell is available to older or disabled individuals with an income of less than $50,350 per individual or $57,350 per couple and whose liquid assets are equal or less than their annual income levels.

All Money Management volunteers are trained, insured, and supervised. For information about these services or to become a volunteer, call the Money Management Program Coordinator at (617) 926-4100.

Tri-Valley, Inc.
10 Mill St.
Dudley, MA 01571
1-800-286-6640
MetroWest communities served: Bellingham, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford

Tri-Valley, Inc.’s Money Management Program, is a free service that assists low income elders who are at risk of losing their independence due to an inability to manage their own finances.

Trained, insured and supervised volunteers are matched with older adults who need help with bill paying and other routine financial tasks such as balancing the checking account, setting up a budget, writing checks and sorting mail.

Eligibility:

• Age 60 years and older
• At risk, due to unpaid bills
• Homebound, visually impaired, disabled or confused
• Within program income and asset guidelines

How To Know If Someone Needs Assistance:

• Does the person know how many bank accounts he or she has and where they are?
• Are unpaid bills scattered around the elder’s home?
• Have any utilities been shut off in the last 12 months?
• Is the person newly widowed or recently discharged from hospital or nursing home?
• Does the person have limited mobility that makes banking difficult?
• Does the person complain about not having enough to make ends meet?

Fee for Service Money Managers

For seniors or caregivers assisting seniors who do not meet the income qualifications for the free money management programs offered by their local ASAP but are in need of help organizing their finances, paid money management services are an option. Consult your local ASAP`s information and referral department for some of the options available in your area.