Assistance Programs for Massachusetts Citizens Where to find help, information and referrals The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and partner organizations provide a wide range of services to help citizens who have exhausted or may soon exhaust their unemployment insurance claim. Unemployed individuals may be eligible for assistance to meet basic needs as well as other services such as health care, counseling, employment and training assistance, and more. You can either call 2-1-1 to learn about a broad range of resources or contact these agencies and organizations directly to inquire about their programs. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by counselors that can get you the help you need. All calls are free and confidential. Trained counselors can assist you with almost any challenge such as child care options, workforce retraining, mental health issues, or housing and rental assistance. www.mass211help.org HEALTHCARE COVERAGE MassHealth Pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people living in Massachusetts. www.mass.gov/masshealth 800-841-2900 FOOD AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE Food Assistance Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps) benefits help low-income families buy nutritious food at most grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies. www.mass.gov/snap 866-950-3663 Direct Assistance Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) Cash assistance to families with children and pregnant women in the last 120 days of pregnancy, with little or no assets or income. Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) is a state funded program which provides cash assistance to those in need to stabilize their lives. Application Information Hotline (for TAFDC and EAEDC). For additional information go to Department of Transitional Assistance. www.mass.gov/dta 800-249-2007 Foodsource Hotline - Project Bread To locate food pantries and other nutrition resources in your community. www.projectbread.org 800-645-8333 HOUSING RESOURCES Mass Housing Consumer Education Centers Nine Centers across Massachusetts provide Housing Information and Referrals. Connect to resources on foreclosure prevention, rental assistance and subsidies, housing search, transitional and support housing for the homeless, and more. www.masshousinginfo.org 800-224-5124 Department of Housing and Community Development For housing, shelter and fuel assistance. Division of Housing Stabilization 877-418-3308 Fuel Assistance and Weatherization 800-632-8175 Division of Public Housing and Rental Assistance 617-573-1150 www.mass.gov/dhcd Foreclosure Assistance Foreclosure counseling and assistance for homeowners. www.mass.gov/ocabr 888-995-4673 VETERANS’ BENEFITS Department of Veterans’ Services Benefits and resources for veterans and their families may be available through your local Veterans’ Service Officer. www.mass.gov/veterans 617-210-5480 CHILD SUPPORT ASSISTANCE Department of Revenue For assistance with child support orders. www.mass.gov/cse 800-332-2733 ELDER SERVICES Assist elders and their families to identify services and opportunities. www.mass.gov/elder 800-243-4636 COMMUNITY-BASED RESOURCES Massachusetts Association For Community Action (MASSCAP) Services including fuel and weatherization assistance, homelessness prevention, emergency food assistance, and job training. www.masscap.org 617-357-1086 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE For food and nutritional assistance, cash assistance, and employment support. www.mass.gov/dta Application Information Hotline 1-800-249-2007 DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT For housing, shelter and fuel assistance. www.mass.gov/dhcd Foreclosure Assistance 1-888-995-HOPE Division of Housing Stabilization 1-877-418-3308 Fuel Assistance and Weatherization 1-800-632-8175 PROJECT BREAD FOODSOURCE HOTLINE To locate food pantries and other nutrition resources in your community. www.projectbread.org 1-800-645-8333 MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH INSURANCE CONNECTOR For assistance with finding a health insurance plan. www.mahealthconnector.org 1-877-623-6765 DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT For assistance with child support orders. www.mass.gov/cse 1-800-332-2733 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES Benefits and resources for veterans and their families may be available through your local Veterans’ Service Officer. www.mass.gov/veterans DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS Assist elders and their families to identify services and opportunities 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636) ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE For residents facing challenges in the area of consumer protection, fraud, civil rights violations, health care, and insurance issues. www.mass.gov/ago Public Inquiry & Assistance Center Hotline 1-617-727-8400 MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES (MASSCAP) Services including fuel and weatherization assistance, homelessness prevention, emergency food assistance, and job training. www.masscap.org 1-617-357-6086 Jobs, Careers, Training One-Stop Career Centers – a cooperative effort between numerous state and local agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations-provide job seekers with an easily accessible and extensive menu of information and quality services -at no cost. Job seekers can: • Get assistance to find jobs • Work with experienced career counselors • Learn about job search strategies including interviewing, networking, and resume writing • Attend workshops and short-term training, including basic computer training • Network with other job seekers • Access up-to-date local, statewide and national job listings • Locate vocational training/educational opportunities • Access resource room services including computers, newspapers, professional journals, business directories, fax machines and copiers, publications on job search activities and careers. One-Stop Career Centers are located across the state. One-Stop Career Centers are located across the state. To find the most convenient career center, along with a list of its services, hours of operation, and directions, go to www.mass.gov/careercenters or call 877-872-5627. To access the latest job postings, go to www.mass.gov/jobquest or call 888-578-6599. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a nutrition program for families and individuals that meet certain income and resource guidelines. SNAP benefits help low-income families buy nutritious food at most grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies. SNAP recipients can be working and still qualify for SNAP benefits. SNAP Hotline (formerly known as Food Stamps) 1-866-950-FOOD (3663) Commonwealth of Massachusetts Deval L. Patrick, Governor Timothy P. Murray, Lt. Governor Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Joanne F. Goldstein, Secretary Equal Opportunity Employer • Auxiliary Aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.