Guidelines for Applying for DTA Funeral Benefits
- Based on an individual’s financial need, we will work with a 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 maximum benefit provided by the state for eligible decedents is $1,100 provided that the total funeral expenses do not exceed $3,500.
- DTA will check the value of the decedent's bank account(s) and other assets as of the DATE OF DEATH. Any assets will reduce the benefit by that amount
- Other assets include cash, life insurance policies, and nursing home personal needs accounts
- Any cemetery charges paid out after the date of death are factored into the $3,500 total
- DTA requires us to send a Statement of Funeral Goods and Services showing the costs for the funeral, payments made, and a balance of $1,100 (or less if the decedent had other assets)
- If the next of kin had no access to the decedent's bank account, DTA often requires that we send a letter signed by the next of kin stating that
- If anyone establishes a crowd-funding account in the decedent's name, such as GoFundMe, it removes your eligibility to apply for DTA assistance based on the state guidelines
- The state is very thorough in their investigation of applicant eligibility
- Please call us at 1-508-754-1673 if you have further questions
- Click here to connect to the MA website explaining this benefit
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