Metro Credit Union to Roll Out Starlight in New England After Matching +$2M During Successful Pilot
Metro Credit Union, the largest state-chartered credit union in Massachusetts, is rolling out Starlight to all members across New England following a pilot that proved Starlight’s ability to connect members with critical benefits at scale — even in crisis.
The partnership started small with an employee pilot in August 2025 that connected 13% of staff members to almost $400,000 in benefits. Then, when the federal government shutdown hit in October, Metro moved fast, deploying Starlight, branded as the Metro Assistance Portal (M.A.P.), to help members navigate sudden benefit loss, including SNAP funding cuts and loan hardship. By expanding to a pilot member group, Metro connected its members to $1.7 million in potential annual benefits. Now, after connecting both members and staff to over $2 million in potential support, Metro is bringing M.A.P. powered by Starlight to all members in Q1 2026.
Member Outcomes
- $2M+ Total Benefits Unlocked: Annual financial relief identified for Metro members through employee pilot, government shutdown response, and member pilot
- 13% of Staff: found critical benefits and support programs
- +45% Crisis Engagement Rate: Members actively engaged with Starlight during the federal government shutdown, seeking help when they needed it most
Responding to crisis in real time
Metro's pilot was already underway when the federal government shutdown began in October. The credit union moved quickly to expand its reach, deploying M.A.P. powered by Starlight to help members navigate sudden benefit loss at scale, including SNAP funding cuts and hardship assistance for affected borrowers.
Metro saw a 45.3% open rate on outreach during the shutdown with members actively engaging with support immediately. The platform allowed Metro to deliver personalized outreach overnight without overwhelming staff or requiring members to navigate multiple agency websites on their own.
“Starlight allows us to step in for our members exactly when they need us most. When the government shutdown last fall created sudden uncertainty for so many, Starlight helped us respond quickly. With the resources they provide, we can identify members who may benefit from support and guide them through the process with ease. That rapid response helps us meet members where they are and connect them to meaningful solutions.” —Traci Michel, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, Metro Credit Union
Real impact for members
Starlight's value shows up in individual member stories. Here are three examples from Metro's pilot:
- SNAP Reconsideration Success: $3,600–$6,000/year:
A member missed their SNAP application deadline and used M.A.P. powered by Starlight to discover a 30-day reconsideration window and connections to their local food bank. The result: a 15-day extension that restored $300–$500 in monthly food support. - SNAP & RAFT Dual Support: $12,300+/year:
A member struggling with housing costs checked SNAP eligibility (approximately $4,800/year) and found local food banks. They discovered eligibility for RAFT, Massachusetts' rental assistance program offering up to $7,000 annually, and automatically queued a follow-up for utility benefits in winter (around $500/year). - Family Support Package: $21,000/year:
A household of four applied for SNAP (approximately $6,000/year), checked Medicaid eligibility (coverage worth roughly $3,000/year), and accessed childcare assistance (up to $12,000+/year). They connected with their local job center and scheduled follow-up notifications for utility assistance.
These stories represent the kind of outcomes that become possible when benefits navigation is embedded directly where members already bank.
Building for what is to come
Economic uncertainty isn't going away. The government shutdown showed how quickly financial stability can be disrupted for members who depend on federal programs. Metro demonstrated that credit unions can respond at scale without adding operational burden, delivering personalized support overnight when crisis hits.
Metro's full rollout to all members begins in Q1 2026. The credit union is integrating Starlight with its financial coaching program, embedding the platform within existing member support workflows to make support truly turnkey, and rolling out targeted campaigns with nonprofit and employer partners. Starlight is also expanding its support programs for members, including reducing hospital bills through partners like Dollar For.
Interested in bringing Starlight to your credit union? Book a demo at get-starlight.com or reach out at hello@get-starlight.com.
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Published February 10, 2026