A primary intent of the web site is to make the often complex service and benefits system more understandable and accessible to consumers and service providers; to provide clear answers to commonly asked questions; and to help direct web site users to relevant and available sources of support in Massachusetts. In developing this web site we have tried to gather and assemble the collective knowledge of experts in Massachusetts regarding critical information relevant to the needs of low and moderate income individuals and families. It can be thought of as a shared, centralized file cabinet that is well-organized and routinely updated. In addition to storing basic information about community resources, it provides the ability to check online one's eligibility status for various benefits, to download application forms, and to provide feedback to the web site's administrators regarding the site.

Intended audience

The content of the web site has been written with consumers of services and benefits the intended primary audience. Service providers in Massachusetts are another key audience and help to promote use of the web site by consumers.

Topics this web site currently covers

Presently this web site covers benefits and programs in the following areas: Housing and homelessness; food assistance; cash assistance; child care and preschools; tax credits; health care programs; energy assistance; employment and job training; and transportation services. For each benefit or program that is described on the web site we cover the following: 1) what the benefit/program entails; 2) eligibility criteria; 3) practical information on how and where to apply; 4) benefit levels; and 5) consumer rights and responsibilities. Information on the web site is routinely updated to stay current with changes in programs and benefits as well as their availability.

Milestones in the development of MassResources.org

March 2003 - MassResources.org beta site created
May 1, 2003 - MassResources.org went live

Features of this web site

The web site has several important technological features:

Application forms for benefit programs that can be downloaded and printed out.
Eligibility checks for various benefit programs (e.g., food stamps, TAFDC, Section 8 housing). This feature enables a user to enter information that is relevant to determining eligibility for a particular benefit. The eligibility check evaluates the information provided and makes an unofficial determination, either indicating the individual/family appears to be eligible or stating the person does not appear eligible and listing the reason(s) why. A "meta" Eligibility Check, which we call the Benefit Screener, can provide users with a general sense of whether they are eligible for a broad range of programs.

Tips on how to best use this web site

It is useful to first examine the areas of assistance that this web site covers and the programs within each section. Use the drop down box on the top left corner to view the various types of assistance (e.g., housing/homeless programs, cash assistance, food programs).
Read the overview page for each section and the overview page of programs within a section to see what may be relevant to you.
Complete the Benefit Screener to get a general sense of the range of benefits and programs for which you may be eligible. After receiving the results online, you may want to read more about the various programs that interest you and complete a specific eligibility check to get a more definite sense of whether or not you meet the eligibility criteria.
You should read the written content of a program in some detail to understand what the program is about and to have some idea about eligibility requirements. If a particular program has an Eligibility Check, you may want to complete the necessary questions, but only after reading the written content. This will help you to spend your time wisely. Also, should you complete an Eligibility Check, it will make it easier to understand why the questions in the Eligibility Check are being asked of you.
If you are a potential consumer of services on this web site and have access to service providers, advocates, or case managers who may able to aid you in securing needed benefits, you should take advantage of the assistance they may be able to provide. This web site is not intended to replace the useful help that service providers can offer. At the same time, becoming familiar with the types of benefits and services that are potentially available may allow you to communicate more effectively with any professional who might assist you.
Clicking on the MassResources.org banner at the top of any page will return you to the home page of the web site.

Accessibility

Our goal is to make the Mass Resources web site accessible to all users, including those using various forms of assistive technology. Accordingly, to the extent possible, we have followed the accessibility guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act.

If you experience a problem when visiting our web site, we would like to know about it. Please send an e-mail to:

The following information will help us correct the problem:

the web site address (URL) of the page you were trying to view.
the type of adaptive equipment you are using, if any.
a description of the problem, including any error messages you may have received.

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