Funeral Payment Assistance
DTA Assistance - Based on an individual’s financial need, we will work with you to determine the best way to maximize and guarantee aid, helping to reduce your family’s financial burden. We accept Mass Health – MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) payments for funeral or cremation services. We will complete the necessary paperwork for this assistance, submit it to DTA and wait for approval, then payment. The benefit provided by the state for eligible decedents is $1,100 provided that the total funeral expenses do not exceed $3,500. More information can be found here.
Massachusetts Veterans who are receiving assistance under M.G.L. Chapter 115 may be eligible for state funds of $4,000, provided that the total funeral expenses do not exceed $5,000. Rice Funeral Home will complete and submit state Form V.S.9 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Commissioner of Veterans’ Services on behalf of the family of those veterans who qualify for and wish to apply for this benefit.
Burial Fund - A burial fund (of up to $1,500) is money set aside by a family to pay for future funeral expenses. For example, this money can be in a bank account or other financial instrument. This money is exempt from the $2,000 maximum ($3,000 for a couple) resource limit allowed by Mass Health. It is also separate from pre-paid funeral expenses with a funeral home. For more information visit https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-burial-funds.htm
Social Security Death Payment
- Benefits- $255 one-time death payment and possibly ongoing survivor benefits
- Eligibility- A surviving spouse who was living in the same household with the worker at the time of death may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255. In certain circumstances other family members may be eligible.
- Survivors may also be eligible for ongoing survivor benefits.
- How to Access- We will call Social Security (800-772-1213) and inform them of the recipient's death. Social Security will determine if the family is eligible for the death benefit as well as arrange for any ongoing survivor benefits. Survivors must apply for the death payment within two years of the date of death.
- For more information - ssa.gov
- Benefit- Funeral and burial costs up to $6,500 for crime victims. May also cover counseling for a victim’s family members and for children who witness violence against a family member.
- Eligibility- The crime must be reported to the police within five days, unless there is good cause for delay. Applications accepted within three years of the crime. The family must cooperate with the law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the crime.
- How to Access- Victim Compensation Division, MA Office for Victim Assistance, 617-586-1340, email VCCorrespondence@mass.gov or see www.mass.gov/massachusetts-victims-of-violent-crime-compensation. The application process may take 4-6 months.
CrowdFunding - You can also get help from family and friends to help with burial, cremation, or other end-of-life costs. During one of life’s most difficult times, you can turn to GoFundMe for help in paying for the final expenses for a loved one. We can provide a link to your GoFundMe page from the obituary on our website.
Please NOTE: When you establish a crowdfunding account such as GoFundMe it removes your eligibility to apply for DTA assistance based on the state guidelines.
