Become a Money Management Volunteer

See Also: Volunteer Opportunities in Massachusetts

Jointly sponsored by the AARP Foundation, Mass Home Care and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Massachusetts Money Management Program
deploys trained volunteers to help low-income older adults and people with disabilities manage their daily finances and remain at home, in their communities. Some may have had their electricity turned off or are facing eviction, even with enough money in their bank account to make the necessary payments. Sadly, most have no family, relatives or friends to help them manage their finances.

Do I need special skills to be a Money Management volunteer?

Since 1991, the Massachusetts Money Management Program has enabled thousands of clients to remain independent in their own home. More than 1,250 volunteers across the state help reconcile checkbooks, write checks and develop a balanced budget for individuals that need assistance.

• Are you open-minded, compassionate, and patient?
  
• Do you have good budgeting, organizational, and support skills?
  
• Can you spare a few hours each month?
  

If yes, then volunteering with the Massachusetts Money Management Program may be right for you.

"You need to have a lot of patience, but if you're balancing your own checkbook, you can help someone with theirs," says Dennis Johnson, volunteer, Massachusetts Money Management Program.

Volunteer positions include:

• Bill Payer is primarily responsible for organizing bills, developing a household budget and preparing checks for the client's signature; he/she has no authority to sign checks because the client is still in charge of his or her financial affairs.
  
• Representative Payee is appointed by a government agency to manage the government benefits of a person incapable of managing his/her own financial affairs. The Representative Payee spends the money in the beneficiary's best interest by writing and signing checks for the beneficiary's expenditures.
  
• Monitor reviews the client bank statements monthly to make certain that the money has been spent appropriately.
  

As a volunteer you’ll be supported every step of the way with training, ongoing support and financial protection for the funds that you manage. And we’ll take into consideration your preferences and the client's needs as we match you with someone who needs help to manage their everyday finances.

Learn more

To find out more about the many volunteer opportunities available with the Massachusetts Money Management Program, email ma@aarp.org or call 1-866-448-3621.