MVCS receives grant award from Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation

OAK BLUFFS, MA. (January 26, 2021) – Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) announces the return of the Transportation Access Program (TAP) to assist residents of Martha’s Vineyard with travel expenses for medical and/or behavioral health appointments off sland.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation, TAP funds will assist individuals and families with excessive costs of off‐island travel due to long‐ term illness; health or mental health needs requiring services not available on the islands; chronic illness requiring regular off‐island appointments; or acute health or mental health emergencies.

Funding from the program is intended to offer assistance when all other alternative means of assistance (i.e. health insurance coverage) have been exhausted or if other available modes of transportation or assistance are not adequate or appropriate.

All Martha’s Vineyard residents are eligible to apply for up to $750.00 annually in off‐island travel assistance to medical/mental health appointments. Requests over $750.00 will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Allowable expenses that qualify under this program include: ferry tickets, bus transportation and hotel accommodations. This is not an inclusive list, and if individuals have other unique needs (i.e. payment for a car service) please note that on the application. Travel tickets and cards for upcoming off island travel are limited to a three month in the future time frame. Applications require proof of upcoming appointments.

TAP applications for Martha’s Vineyard residents will be available the week of January 25th on the MVCS website at www.mvcommunityservices.org/tap. Applications can be submitted requesting reimbursement for expenses dating back to December 1, 2020. When requesting reimbursement the following is required; documentation of the appointment and receipts for allowable expenses.  

Applications are available English and Portuguese and should be completed online if possible. When necessary, applications may be submitted via mail or paperwork dropped off. Due to COVID restrictions, there is no walk in service at this time. If paperwork must be dropped off, an appointment is required to do so.

Questions regarding the application may be directed to 508-693-7900 x 406. Messages left will be returned within two business days. Questions can also be sent to: tap.info@mvcommunityservices.org.

Applications will be processed on a first come basis. Applicants may be contacted if additional information is needed.

Requests for gift cards are typically accommodated within 1 – 3 business days. Requests for reimbursement typically are processed within 20 business days. Applications that involve unique needs not covered by gift cards will be processed on a case by case basis.

TAP began as a program of MVCS in 2016 and to date has helped an average of 128 Islanders a year with off-Island travel expenses. Original TAP funds were earmarked within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services budget. With state funding for this program cut in 2020, MVCS applied for and received funding from the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation.

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About MV Community Services:
We are clinicians and social workers, psychiatrists, counselors, case workers, teachers and volunteers. Embracing community in collaboration with police and primary care physicians, the hospital and Island schools. People who share our belief in the worth and dignity of all. Every day we commit our unique experience, expertise and compassion to help our entire community be as vibrant, strong and healthy as it can be. When together we answer the call our community thrives. Learn more at www.mvcommunityservices.org