Massachusetts Residence Requirements

(1) Applicants in Institutions and Transitional Residences. The city or town in which an applicant resided immediately prior to entering an institution or transitional residence is the place of residence for the purpose of an application for benefits. That same city or town shall be liable for all benefits granted to the applicant or recipient, including the costs of his or her care in the institution or transitional residence. The city or town in which the institution or transitional residence is located shall not be liable for the recipient’s benefits unless it also qualifies as the last place of residence of the recipient, or the recipient declares residency in that municipality. However, a person who resides for a year or more in an institution or transitional residence shall be deemed to be a resident of the city or town in which such institution or transitional residence is located. (2) Veterans Attending Educational Institutions. A veteran attending an educational institution shall be considered a resident ofthe municipalitywhere he or she resides permanently, unless it is the same municipality. (3) Children. An application for benefits by or on behalf of the eligible child of a veteran shall be filed in the city or town where the child resides. (4) Separated Persons. An applicant or recipient who is legally or consensually separated shall file a separate application for benefits in his or her respective city or town.