Community Resources

Disability Benefits in MA

Visit the link below to apply for SSDI or SSI benefits, or learn about who is eligible for disability benefits in MA/how to apply.

Autism Resources

The Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) offers a range of programs and services for parents of autistic children/teens, and for autistic adults.

How to Advocate for Your Child

Click the link below for information on how to advocate for your child's special education needs.

Help with Special Education Supports and Services

The Massachusetts Advocates for Children Helpline provides help for children who are facing barriers to receiving educational supports and services to which they are legally entitled, focusing on children with disabilities, children who have been expelled or suspended from school, and children traumatized by exposure to family violence or other adverse experiences.

Federation for Children with Special Needs

The Federation for Children with Special Needs works with families with children from birth to adulthood, focusing on education, early intervention, health care, transitions, children in foster care and group homes, and building strong family engagement to support all children.

Accessing legal help

Use the site below to seek legal help for issues related to domestic abuse, criminal records, debt, education, family issues, healthcare, insurance, housing, immigration, government benefits, wills, and more.

De Novo Center for Justice and Healing

The De Novo Center for Justice and Healing provides high-quality, free civil legal assistance to low-income people living in Greater Boston, and to immigrants and refugees statewide. De Novo offers legal assistance in the areas of housing and homelessness prevention, family law/domestic violence, immigrant and refugee rights, and disability benefits.

Affordable Legal Representation

Justice Bridge connects low-income and moderate-income Massachusetts residents who don't qualify for free legal aid with affordable legal representation from a recent graduate of UMass Law.

Down Payment Assistance

Find out about down payment assistance programs at My Mass Home.

Get help with child support

To apply for free services provided by the Massachusetts Child Support Enforcement Division, visit the website below.

Access mental health care in MA

To access mental/behavioral health care in Massachusetts, call or text the Behavioral Health Help Line 24/7, or call the nearest Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC). The Behavioral Health Help Line is a 24/7 clinical hotline staffed by trained behavioral health providers who offer clinical assessment, treatment referrals, and crisis triage services. When appropriate, Help Line staff directly connect callers with their nearest CBHC.

Emergency Housing Payment Help

To apply for emergency rent assistance, residents of the City of Boston can visit: https://www.boston.gov/departments/housing/office-housing-stability/rental-relief-fund All other Massachusetts residents can apply by visiting the website below.

Grants to cover children's medical costs

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides medical grants to help children gain access to health-related services not covered, or not fully covered, by their parents’ commercial health insurance plan. Families can receive up to $5,000 annually per child ($10,000 lifetime maximum per child), and DO NOT need to have insurance through UnitedHealthcare to be eligible. Info on eligibility requirements, required documents, and grant exclusions can be found at the link below.

Guide to low-income internet options

This website links out to a variety of low-income internet plans, organized by internet provider. It also explains the government subsidy programs for internet access, including eligibility requirements.

Free Household Items

Welcome Home provides families experiencing hardship with household items including air conditioners & fans, small kitchen appliances such as microwave ovens and toaster ovens, pots & pans, cooking tools, dishes, silverware, bed sheets & blankets, pillows, lamps, towels, rugs, mirrors and decorative items.

Free Lyfts for Job Access

You may be eligible for free Lyft ride credits to help you find work. If you need rides to job trainings, job interviews, or a job itself, visit the link below (only available in Boston, not other cities in MA).

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program

Some local Housing Authorities and regional housing assistance agencies provide households who have a Section 8 voucher (and in some cases residents of public housing) with the opportunity to participate in FSS. Under FSS, as your household’s earned income increases, the resulting increase in your share of the rent will get deposited in an "escrow" account. When you finish the FSS program, you can use the money in the escrow account for any purpose - examples include purchasing a home, paying down debt, enrolling in job training/education, starting or growing a small business, and purchasing or repairing a car. In some cases, you can use the funds towards your own career or education goals even before finishing FSS. To find out if FSS is an option for you, contact the local Housing Authority or agency that administers your Section 8 voucher, or the local Housing Authority that operates your public housing.

Apply for Emergency Housing Payment Assistance

To apply for emergency rent assistance, residents of the City of Boston can visit: https://www.boston.gov/departments/housing/office-housing-stability/rental-relief-fund All other Massachusetts residents can apply by visiting the website below.

Mass 2-1-1

Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 any day or time to speak with someone who can connect you with a wide range of resources in your community, government benefits, service providers and support groups. The online directory below is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families.

Housing Help, Shelter, and Protection from Eviction

Click the link below to get help with housing including: - protection from eviction - rental assistance and mortgage assistance programs - entering a family homeless shelter - HomeBASE, an alternative to shelter - and more.

Find an affordable rental home/apartment

The online resource linked below - Housing Navigator Massachusetts - lists affordable rental homes/apartments throughout Massachusetts.

Help for first-time homebuyers

MyMassHome is a one-stop resource for helping Massachusetts homebuyers navigate their path to becoming a homeowner.

Find a subsidized home to buy

The MyMassHome website includes listings for below-market-rate homes available for purchase by low- and moderate-income first time homebuyers.

Women, Infant, & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

WIC is a nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services, free of charge to Massachusetts families who qualify. WIC provides services to pregnant, post-partum, or breastfeeding people and children under 5 years old. WIC welcomes all families regardless of immigration or citizenship status. Visit www.mass.gov/wic for more information or contact us at 1-800-942-1007. Interested families can start the application process for WIC at the link below.

Tips for Moving with Kids

The link below is a comprehensive guide for moving with kids made by MyMove that could be useful for parents shifting to a new environment. It includes: - Printable Moving Checklists and Activity Book for Kids - Tips for Preparing Kids to Move - Helping Kids Adjust to Moving, and more.

Free Debt Relief Help

The MA Debt Relief Foundation is a non-profit law firm offering FREE legal advice on all debt matters. They also provide free legal representation in chapter 7 bankruptcy and other debt matters when appropriate.

Local city/town homebuyer assistance programs

Click the link below, and scroll down to "Programs by City/Town" for links to local homebuyer assistance programs.

Free cash for first-generation homebuyers

First generation homebuyers in Massachusetts who are below the Area Median Income can get $2,000 - $5,000 for a down payment from the STASH program.

CORI Sealing Clinic - Greater Boston Legal Services

Join the Boston Bar Association and Greater Boston Legal Services in our Virtual CORI Sealing Clinic, serving low-income communities in the area. A criminal record can make it harder to get a job or find housing. However, a CORI record may contain charges that can be “sealed” or expunged so that employers, housing providers, and others cannot see those charges. By signing up for the CORI Sealing Clinic, you will be provided with FREE legal information about your rights, and will be screened for eligibility to be matched with a FREE (pro bono) lawyer to assist you with obtaining, reviewing, and, if advised, sealing or expunging your records.

CORI Sealing Clinic - Lawyers Clearinghouse

Use the form below to complete the Lawyers Clearinghouse CORI Sealing Clinic Sign Up Form. Someone will follow up with you soon after you fill it out to discuss your eligibility for this service.

Recognizing Signs of Domestic Abuse

The webpage below provides information on how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse for yourself or your loved ones. It also tells you what steps to take if you suspect domestic abuse has occurred.

GoodRX Prescription Discounts

Search for your prescription's discount code on GoodRX to get a cheaper price at common pharmacies & retailers.

Housing discrimination

In Massachusetts it is illegal for a landlord, broker, real estate agent or seller to refuse to rent or sell an apartment or house to someone on the basis of their race, religion, skin color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ancestry, marital status or military status, or because the renter or buyer has a child, has a housing voucher, or is on public assistance. If you believe that you are or may be the victim of illegal discrimination on the part of a landlord, rental agent, real estate agent or seller, please contact the Suffolk University School of Law Housing Discrimination Testing Program intake line at 617-884-7568.

Landlord-Tenant Legal Issues

If you are a tenant in Massachusetts seeking legal advice regarding an issue involving your landlord, please contact the Suffolk University School of Law Housing Discrimination Testing Program intake line at 617-884-7568.

Foreclosure Assistance

If you are a homeowner facing foreclosure within the next 7 days, please call the Massachusetts Division of Banks (DOB) Consumer Assistance Unit at 617-956-1501. The DOB may be able to arrange a 60-day pause to give you extra time to work things out with the bank.

Mortgage Assistance

If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, please visit the website below to apply for help through the Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund. For further information, call the HAF Call Center at (833) 270-2953, Monday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Student Loan Payments & Forgiveness

On August 24, 2022, President Biden announced that the federal government would cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers with individual income less than $250,000 for married couples or heads of household (or less than $125,000 for all other individuals), with an additional $10,000 ($20,000 total) in student loan debt cancelled if those borrowers received a Pell Grant. The new loan forgiveness program applies to federal loans owned by the U.S. Department of Education (not owned by a bank) that were disbursed before June of 2022, including Stafford loans, consolidation loans, Graduate Stafford and Plus loans, and Parent Plus loans. For some individuals, loan forgiveness will be automatic, but to be on the safe side, those with loans eligible for forgiveness should apply online at the link below.

More help with Student Loans

If you are experiencing difficulty with a student loan, please visit the website below.

Axuda Interest-Free Loans

Axuda is a crowdlending platform to help those who are financially struggling, living paycheck-to-paycheck, with unforeseen expenses. One Family program participants can email ameyer@onefamilyinc.org to get more information and apply for a loan!

Fuel Assistance/Home Heating Assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of their heating bills from November 1st through April 30th - even if heat is included in your rent. Even if your income is too high for other benefits, you may still qualify for fuel/heating assistance - copy & paste this link into your browser to see the income criteria: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-home-energy-assistance-liheap\

Mass 2-1-1

Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 any day or time to speak with someone who can connect you with a wide range of resources in your community, government benefits, service providers and support groups. The online directory below is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families.

Network of Care Massachusetts

Find mental health care resources in your community at the link below.

Find a therapist in MA

Mental Health Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741, or visit https://www.crisistextline.org/

Mass 2-1-1

Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 any day or time to speak with someone who can connect you with a wide range of resources in your community, government benefits, service providers and support groups. The online directory below is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families.

Mass 2-1-1

Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 any day or time to speak with someone who can connect you with a wide range of resources in your community, government benefits, service providers and support groups. The online directory below is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families.

Mass 2-1-1

Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 any day or time to speak with someone who can connect you with a wide range of resources in your community, government benefits, service providers and support groups. The online directory below is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families.

Mass 2-1-1

Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 any day or time to speak with someone who can connect you with a wide range of resources in your community, government benefits, service providers and support groups. The online directory below is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families.

Free Smartphone/Phone Service/Internet Access

Assurance Wireless offers a free smartphone with free unlimited data/texts/minutes, and 10 GB of free mobile hotspot Internet access to a) families who participate in MassHealth, SNAP (food stamps), free or reduced school lunch, Pell Grants, federal public housing, or Section 8 housing, and b) to families earning up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Good Neighbor Energy Fund

Before reading this item, first read the item called "Fuel Assistance/Home Heating Assistance. If your income is too high for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, you may qualify for assistance from the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund. You may be eligible if you are a two-person household earning no more than $71,401, a three-person household earning no more than $88,201, a four-person household earning no more than $105,001, or a five-person household earning no more than $121,801.

Help Paying Past-Due Utility Bills

To apply, visit the website listed below.

MA Domestic Violence Hotline

SafeLink statewide domestic violence hotline

Food Pantries

Use foodfinder.us to find food assistance near you. Enter your zip code at the top of the site, then move the map by left-clicking. Click on a red “pin” near you, then click “Details.” Do not hesitate to look up and use your local food pantry - this is what they are here for! Do not second guess whether you are eligible - just go, no questions asked! All food pantries have taken precautions to support social distancing measures.

Apply for SNAP Benefits (food stamps)

If you are not already receiving SNAP benefits, you can apply online & do not need to go into the DTA office! Once you have submitted your online application, call 877-382-2363, tell them you submitted an application, and ask for an interview. You DO NOT need to wait for DTA to call you!

Getting Your Landlord to Fix Sanitary and Safety Violations

For help with getting your landlord to fix sanitary and safety violations, visit the Up to Code website listed below.

New Hope

New Hope works throughout South-Central and Southeastern Massachusetts with those affected by domestic and sexual violence. Their services include a confidential hotline, rehousing support, counseling, supervised visitation, and more.

Black Female Therapist Directory

A resource to locate Black female therapists in your area and gain some tips on better mental health.

Landlord-Tenant Legal Issues

If you are a tenant in Massachusetts seeking legal advice regarding an issue involving your landlord, please contact the Suffolk University School of Law Housing Discrimination Testing Program intake line at 617-884-7568.

Boston COVID-Tutoring

Boston COVID-Tutoring is a non-profit that provides free, virtual peer tutoring to elementary, middle, and high school students. Our tutors come from a variety of high-performing schools from around the Greater Boston area and are eager to help. Any questions can be directed to Graham Bateman at gbateman@bbns.org.

Financial Security for Women

WISER (Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement) has put together a number of financial security fact sheets for women, on topics including retirement planning, managing income, homeownership, taxes, and much more.

Discounted Internet Service

Access the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a discount of $30/month for internet access, at the link below.

Free tax help

Visit the site below for free tax prep help, including help accessing FREE money through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC), and accessing any missing stimulus payments.

Postpartum Depression

Visit the site below for support, resources, and treatment options related to postpartum depression.

Fair Shake Resource Center

Searchable database of national, state, and local resources for people coming out of prisons, alcohol and drug treatment centers, and mental health facilities.

National Reentry Resource Center

The National Reentry Resource Center provides support to people looking to reenter their community after incarceration. This is a great resource for yourself or to help family/friends.

Resources for Understanding Racism

The Shriver Center has compiled a non-comprehensive collection of readings, research, and tools to help guide an understanding of the history of racism and structural racism, as well as the ways to dismantle systems and become an anti-racist individual and institution.

Getting a free interpreter

You have a right to an interpreter. Click the link for more info.

Citizenship & Naturalization Resources

You can become a United States citizen if you were born in the United States, if your parents are U.S. citizens, or if you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and apply for citizenship. Visit the link for more info.

Immigrants: Know Your Rights

Every person in the United States has rights. If you are a citizen or an immigrant, or if you are undocumented – you have rights. The constitution protects everyone. Some of your most important rights are the ones you have when you talk to anyone from law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This link summarizes those rights.

Anti-Racism Resources for Asian Americans

This document is intended to serve as a resource to Asian people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work.

Therapy for Black Girls

So often the stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy prevents Black women from taking the step of seeing a therapist. Therapy for Black Girls was developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant.

Free transportation to medical appointments

MassHealth members are eligible for free transportation to and from medical appointments when public transportation isn't an option. To request a ride, when scheduling the appointment, ask your doctor's office to submit at Prescription for Transportation (PT-1) form to the MassHealth Customer Service Center on your behalf.

Protection Against Eviction

For information about free and reduced-cost legal assistance and other legal resources, click the link below.

SNAP benefits calculator

Use the website below to see whether you're eligible for SNAP, and estimate your monthly SNAP benefit amount.

Apply for a free computer

Visit the Computers for Causes website to apply for a "gifted" free computer. You will hear back within 30 days of when you apply.

Low-Cost Refurbished Laptops

Connect All sells low-cost refurbished laptops. See link to browse computers.

Free food delivery with SNAP

For information about free food delivery for families who use SNAP (food stamps), visit the link below.

Basic legal info overview

This site from MasssLegalHelp.org provides an overview of basic legal information related to family issues, debt, criminal records, domestic violence, employment/unemployment, health, housing, immigration, school, court, interpreters, and more.

Establishing paternity/parentage

Information on what paternity/parentage is, why it is important, and how to establish it at the link below.

Request child support change

Learn how to request a change to your child support court order at the link below.

Information about Child Support

For general information about child support please see the link below

Greater Boston Food Bank

70 South Bay Avenue Boston, Massachusetts, 02118 Mostly has referrals to meal programs, soup kitchens.

Free/reduced-cost health insurance

Depending on your income, you may qualify for free or reduced-cost health insurance for yourself and your family. Click the link to learn more.

Virtual Babysitting for Student-Parents

Sitters for Scholars (formerly "Sitters Without Borders") provides free evening babysitting sessions in the Greater Boston Area to low-income parents enrolled in an evening college or certificate program.

Apply for Unemployment Benefits

If your employer laid you off or reduced your hours, apply for Unemployment Insurance at the link below.

Low-Cost Laptops & Hot Spots

Verizon Lifeline Discount Internet

Verizon provides a discount on internet for low income households.

Affordable Internet through RCN

RCN has an internet plan option for $9.95/month for qualified households. (See link for details)

HousingMatch.org

HousingMatch.org is a new Boston-based private shared housing network for families, the elderly, and people with disabilities - helps families who can't afford their own apartment find shared housing situations.

Free produce for SNAP participants

SNAP participants can use their EBT card at a participating farmers market, farm, farm stand or mobile food market that participates in the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). Each month, for each dollar you spend on fruits and vegetables at HIP produce sellers using your EBT card, $1 will be put back on your card. Households of 1 or 2 people get up to $40 in free produce each month. Households of 3 to 5 people, up to $60/mo. For households larger than that, up to $80/mo.

SNAP benefits for online grocery shopping

SNAP EBT cards can be used to purchase groceries online for pickup or delivery at ALDI, Amazon, Hannaford, Price Chopper, Stop and Shop, and Walmart. ALDI - http://shop.aldi.us/store Amazon (delivery only - no delivery charge) - http://amazon.com/snap Hannaford - http://instacart.com/store/hannaford Price Chopper - http://instacart.com/price-chopper Stop and Shop - http://stopandshop.com/pages/snap-ebt-overview Walmart - http://walmart.com/cp/snap-online/1465096 For more general information, please visit the link below.

Project Bread Food Resources

Project Bread's website has information on SNAP, P-EBT, free meals for kids and teens, WIC, and food pantries:

Pre-K – Grade 9 Learn at Home

Scholastic Learn at Home resources (for Pre-K - Grade 9)

Breakfast & Lunch from Women’s Lunch Place

Women's Lunch Place (Boston) are giving out one take-out package containing breakfast and lunch per day, Monday through Saturday 8AM - 1PM at 67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116

City of Boston food resources

The City of Boston has a new website summarizing all food resources!

Unemployment if you quit your job

According to the Mass. Law Reform Institute and Greater Boston Legal Services, individuals who quit their job for one of the following reasons may be eligible for unemployment benefits: - Domestic violence made it unsafe to continue working - Your declining health prevented you from working - You left work to care for a sick family member - Unsafe or unhealthy working conditions - A transfer to unsuitable work that was not your choice (a different kind of job that is not right for you) - A permanent reduction in pay or hours that wasn't your choice - Unlawful discrimination or harassment, including sexual harrassment, race-related harrassment, or other harassment - You quit in order to take care of unexpected and urgent problems with the child care arrangements you have been using (Limited circumstances only) - You had to quit your job due to loss of transportation access For further information, please click the link below.

Domestic Violence Legal Helpline

Casa Myrna's Legal Advocacy Program seeks to address the unmet legal needs of victims of domestic violence and commercial sexual exploitation. For no charge, attorneys and advocates work with survivors who, due to linguistic, cultural, and economic barriers, would not be able to access representation through normal channels. Available to Massachusetts residients.

Domestic Violence Community Advocacy Hotline

Casa Myrna's community advocacy hotline for survivors of domestic violence in Boston. Community Advocacy Specialists are bilingual (Spanish/English).

Prescription Discount Cards

Sometimes a prescription discount card can be used to get a discounted price on a medicine that is even less than your co-pay for that medicine. For example, search for the discounted price for any medicine that your doctor prescribes on this website. If you see that medicine priced less than your usual co-pay for that medicine at a pharmacy near you, click "Get Free Card" under the pharmacy name, and then click "Text" or "Email" to have a virtual discount card sent to you by text or email. When you go to the pharmacy to pick up the medicine, show the card to pharmacy staff using your smartphone.

Discounted internet service from Comcast

To apply for assistance from the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, call the phone number for your area appearing on the website listed below, or call (800) 334-3047.

Childcare Financial Assistance

Click the link to see if you are eligible for financial assistance for childcare from the state of Massachusetts. To apply for child care financial assistance, call Mass 211 or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency.

Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline

Contact Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline for information on resources available. They will provide updated information on SNAP (including any expanded benefits that may become available) and offer screening and application assistance over the phone. The FoodSource Hotline will maintain its usual hours with access to Language Line translators. The hotline at 1-800-645-8333 is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Managing Stress/Anxiety for Children & Teens

This site provides 25 fun mindfulness activities for children and teens

Domestic Violence Support

Connect with the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7/365 to obtain help by chat at the website below, or by calling 1-800-799-7233.