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Last updated: October 28, 2026. Checked against official sources; reviewed when they change.
Short answer: Massachusetts runs its own veterans benefits through the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS). The best first stop is your local Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO); state law puts one in every city and town, according to Mass.gov. These are state benefits, separate from federal VA benefits.
Chapter 115 financial aid
Chapter 115 is a means-tested program that gives eligible veterans and their families financial support for food, shelter, clothing, fuel and medical care, according to the state’s MASSVETS benefits page. A Chapter 115 Benefit Estimator gives a starting estimate based on veteran status, family status, income and housing costs.
What the 2024 HERO Act changed
Chapter 115 benefits can now pay for outpatient behavioral health care, including psychiatric, substance use and other mental health care and prescriptions, though not inpatient hospital stays. A cost-of-living increase in federal or state benefits that pushes a veteran over the income limit no longer ends benefits for that same year.
Annuity, bonuses and tax relief
| Benefit | Who it serves | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Annuity | Certain disabled veterans, parents of deceased veterans and unmarried spouses of deceased veterans | Raised from $2,000 to $2,500 under the HERO Act; one $2,500 payment a year starting August 2025 |
| Veterans’ bonus | Veterans of designated campaigns who lived in Massachusetts right before entering service | Family members may claim it after a veteran’s death |
| Property tax exemption | Eligible veterans, depending on circumstances | Your city or town must accept it; some doubled the amount or tied it to inflation |
| Active-duty service buyback | Commonwealth employees | Buy up to 4 years of active-duty service toward a state pension |
Ask local officials for your community’s current property tax exemption. For the buyback, the HERO Act extended enrollment to 10 years after starting state service, with a one-year grace period for those who missed it.
Your local Veterans’ Service Officer
- Find your VSO. Use the state’s Find My VSO tool.
- Apply through the VSO. VSOs take applications for state benefits, including Chapter 115 and the annuity, and make referrals to other programs and job help.
- Call EOVS if you are stuck. The state office is listed in the phone box below.
Living elsewhere? Mass.gov notes that every state has a veterans services office. Federal benefits still apply; start with our VA disability and health care guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chapter 115 in Massachusetts?
It is a means-tested state program that gives eligible veterans and dependents financial help with food, shelter, clothing, fuel and medical care.
How much is the Massachusetts veterans annuity?
Under the HERO Act, the annuity rose from $2,000 to $2,500. Starting in August 2025, eligible recipients get one $2,500 payment a year.
Where do I apply for Massachusetts veterans benefits?
Through your local Veterans’ Service Officer. State law requires one in every city and town.
Do Massachusetts veterans get a property tax break?
Eligible veterans can get an exemption if their municipality has accepted it. Some towns doubled the amount or tied it to inflation under the HERO Act.
Related on Peter’s World
Sources
Additional sources
Not affiliated with VA or any government agency. Peter’s World is an independent information site. This page is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Benefits depend on your own records, so confirm details with VA, your state veterans office or an accredited representative such as a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative, attorney or claims agent.
By Peter. Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the official sources listed above.
