Financial & Consumer Assistance

This page brings together resources to help you as a consumer—whether you need to file a complaint with a business or need help paying your utility bills.

These resources are not provided directly by the Executive Office of Aging & Independence, but they are trusted services from across the Commonwealth.

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) helps low-income people and families in Massachusetts by giving them money and food help (like SNAP benefits) and job training. Their goal is to help people meet their basic needs and eventually become able to support themselves.

Get help if you are having trouble paying your utility bill.

Mass211 gets you connected to resources that can help you with your utility bill.

MA Community Action Agencies (CAAs) provide a range of programs to help Massachusetts individuals and families across the state.

The Pension Action Center, part of UMass Boston's Gerontology Institute, provides free legal counseling for workers and retirees who live or worked in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Illinois, and helps people navigate the maze of policies and laws to secure their retirement income.

A list of approved programs where Massachusetts residents can get required counseling before getting a reverse mortgage. The bank or lender must make sure you complete one of these approved programs as the law requires.

The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) helps protect consumers in Massachusetts. If you have a problem with a business, OCABR can help you file a complaint and work to resolve the issue. They also provide helpful information about avoiding scams and knowing your rights as a consumer.

The Division of Banks (DOB) oversees banks and other financial companies in Massachusetts. If you have a problem with your bank, credit union, or loan company, the DOB can look into it and help resolve the issue. They can help with things like unfair fees, loan problems, or trouble getting into your account.

The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program teaches people with Medicare and Medicaid, their families, and caregivers how to watch their medical bills and services to stop healthcare mistakes, fraud, and abuse that can cost a lot of money and can be dangerous.

The Consumer Division in Massachusetts makes sure that companies giving people phone and cable services follow the rules. It works to protect customers from unfair actions and checks that they are getting good service, and this group can also help you get assistance with paying your utility bills.