Background
The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s goal is to make sure that homelessness is brief, rare, and non-recurring, while making the best use of funds and operations for the long term. The Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter Program Bridge Shelter time limits are intended to support the goal of rapid rehousing. See the published report from the EA Commission that details these goals.
Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter will continue to be an program for unhoused families in Massachusetts. The Administration wants every family in EA Family Shelter to have long-term success and independence.
Where can I read the Program Guidance about the Six Month Length of Stay?
- Read the Emergency Assistance (“EA”) Program Guidance on Six Month Length of Stay. This guidance was written by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). It explains how the 6-month limit applies to families. It includes how families are notified of their 6-month limit. Also, it discusses eligibility for hardship waivers and lease bridges (extra time if you have found housing and signed a lease).
How will I know what my shelter stay limit is?
Your family’s length of stay will be based on when your family entered EA Family Shelter.
Families who have been in the Bridge Shelter Track BEFORE April 11, 2025:
- If you received a notice that told you when to leave shelter: You should continue working on leaving shelter by the date on your notice.
- If you have not yet received a notice that told you when to leave shelter: You will receive a notice soon. You will have 180 days, approximately 6 months, to leave shelter after you get the notice.
Families who enter shelter in the Bridge Shelter Track on or AFTER April 11, 2025:
- Your placement letter will tell you when you need to leave shelter. You will have 180 days, approximately 6 months, from when you were placed in shelter.
How will my family receive notices about the shelter time limit?
- If you entered shelter before April 11,2025, you will be emailed a notice. Shelter providers will also give your family a paper copy.
- If you entered shelter on or after April 11,2025, your placement letter will tell you the date you need to leave shelter.
- Families who have an email address on file will get email reminder notices as they approach the end of their shelter stay.
- Please make sure your provider has an active email address for you and be sure to check your emails regularly for new information from EOHLC.
How can I request the changes or services I need while staying in shelter?
While you are in EA Family Shelter, you may need to request services like:
- a transfer to another shelter location,
- an inspection of your shelter unit,
- a Reasonable Accommodation for a disability, etc.
If you applied online for EA Family Shelter, you can ask for these services here.
In the Housing Help Hub, you can view your requests for services here:
If you did not apply for EA Family Shelter online, you can also talk to your Case Manager about how you can request these services.
Hardship Waivers: Can my family stay longer than 6 months?
If your family meets certain criteria written in the law (see below), you could be eligible for a hardship waiver. If your family is approved for a hardship waiver, you will be allowed to stay in shelter for an additional 30 days. You can only get one hardship waiver.
You may need to provide documents or be assessed by a medical professional in order to confirm your eligibility.
You can get a hardship waiver if:
- You are up to date with all program requirements.
- AND
- One of the following situations applies to your family:
- A family member will be younger than 6 years old on your original shelter stay end date.
- A family member is a veteran and is not enrolled in services specifically tailored to veterans.
- A family member has a high-risk pregnancy.
- A family member has an Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD) or is a recipient of disability benefits (SSI/SSDI), or has a disability verified by DTA.
- Your family is at imminent risk of harm due to domestic violence concerns.
How do I apply for a Hardship Waiver?
When to Apply
Families who have an email address on file will get email reminder notices right before the Hardship Waiver Application Window opens, and right before the Hardship Waiver Application Window closes. It is important that you give your EA Shelter Provider your most up-to-date email address and that you check your account regularly for updates from EOHLC.
You can only apply for a hardship waiver between 30 and 60 days before your shelter end date. Early or late applications will rarely be accepted, and only if you have a good reason.
Good reasons for a late application include but are not limited to:
- a family member was diagnosed with a condition that qualifies for a hardship waiver after the application deadline.
- a family member was hospitalized, or;
- a family member passed away
How to Submit
You must submit your hardship waiver application online. You can ask your EA Family Shelter for help with these instructions.
Step 1: Fill out the form below to tell us how your family/s circumstances and eligibility for a Hardship Waiver.
| Hardship Waiver Application (click to download fillable pdf) |
|---|
Step 2: Gather any documents you want us to consider with your application. This may include, but is not limited to:
- A letter from a doctor confirming that you are pregnant, including your due date.
- Documents relating to domestic violence, such as restraining order against your abuser or a letter from an organization supporting you with domestic violence concerns.
- Confirmation of your veteran status, such as a Veteran’s ID card.
You should not send us medical documents, other than confirmation of pregnancy. We are unable to process these documents. This is to protect your sensitive medical information.
Step 3: Submit the form and any supporting documents online, using the instructions below. Your shelter provider can support you in submitting these documents.
- Go to the Self-Service Document Upload Tool at https://applyhousinghelp.mass.gov/s/hardshipcasesearch
- Provide your Last Name and Family Case Number.
- Click the "Next" option.
- Click “Upload Documents" or drag and drop documents to upload your application form and any other supporting documents.
- Click "Done".
Step 4: We will consider your application.
First, we will check if your family has a child younger than 6 years old in your EA Household. If you do, we will approve your request without checking the other criteria.
If you do not have a child younger than 6 years old, we will review your application to see if you meet any other criteria. We may reach out to you for more documents or to arrange an assessment by a specialist.
Step 5: We will let you know if you are eligible for a hardship waiver. We will send you the decision by email.
Lease Bridges: What can I do if I have found a housing unit and need a few weeks to move in?
If you have found housing and have a signed lease (or promissory note if you are moving into a public housing unit or a unit funded by a project-based voucher), you may be able to stay in shelter for 30 days while you prepare to move in. This type of extension is called a lease bridge. You can only get one lease bridge.
If you think you might be eligible for a lease bridge, you should talk to your provider.
Reconsideration Requests: What can I do if I am denied a hardship waiver or lease bridge?
If you are denied a hardship waiver or lease bridge and you disagree with the decision, you can file a request for reconsideration. EOHLC must receive your reconsideration request within 7 days of the denial, so make you submit the request in plenty of time.
Reconsideration requests should be submitted using the form below. You can upload your request at https://applyhousinghelp.mass.gov/s/hardshipcasesearch. Your shelter provider can support you with uploading your request.
| Length of Stay Reconsideration Request Form (click to download fillable pdf) |
|---|
Can my family reapply to EA Family Shelter after exiting due to the 6-month time limit?
- Families can re-apply for the EA Family Shelter program if they have reached their 6-month time limit, and they leave shelter on time. How quickly they can return to shelter depends on the priority process, which is based on factors such as health and safety, and the family's place on the EA Family Shelter Contact List.
- Families who do not leave shelter by their termination date cannot re-apply for EA Emergency Family Shelter for 12 months.
- If a family is reapplying for shelter, they should ask their EA Bridge Shelter provider to fill out the Length of Departure Notice to help with the family’s reapplication.
What should I do to get ready to leave shelter?
We have created this page that compiles resources your family can access.