For Patients and Families
Federal Government Programs
This section includes federal entitlement programs (government programs that provide individuals with personal financial benefits, goods or services whenever they meet eligibility conditions that are specified by the standing law that authorizes the program) such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and laws such as Family Medical Leave Act and COBRA. See individual states for state government and local programs.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Federal agency within Department of Health and Human Services providing information about Medicare, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
Information about act which allows, in some cases, for continuation of health coverage at group rates
DisabilityInfo.gov
Comprehensive federal website of disability-related government resources
Family and Medical Leave Act
Eligible employees receive up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for birth/adoption of child or being seriously ill or having to care for an ill family member
Federal Food Stamp Program
Federal assistance for food purchase for low income families
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Used to determine financial eligibility for certain federal programs, posted each year by the Department of Health and Human Services
Firstgov
United States government's official web portal
Govbenefits
Official government benefits website, locate federal and state benefits and programs
Medicaid
Official United States government site for Medicaid-federal health insurance program for people with low income, managed by state; can search by state
Medicare
Official U.S. Government site for Medicare-federal health insurance program for people 65 or older or those with End Stage Renal Disease
Project Bread
Information on food stamps in Massachusetts with links to other states
Social Security
Official Social Security Administration website; information on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves
WIC-Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
Federal program providing counseling and assistance with food costs to women and young children at nutritional risk
