Job Search and Job Training Programs
If you are looking for jobs or job training programs in your area, there are local organizations that can help.
Approved and Authorized Training Programs
If you already live in an Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter, enrolling in an “Approved” or “Authorized” Training Program can help you get a 90-day extension to your time in shelter. Learn more about the EA Emergency Family Shelter 9 Month Length of Stay Policy.
Approved and Authorized Training Programs are programs that provide skills to help you get a job. MassHire Career Centers can help you find training programs in your area. Additional training opportunities are being developed in response to this policy.
Examples of some types of programs that might be included are:
- Work-readiness English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Trainings designed for high-demand industries such as:
- Healthcare
- Early childhood education
- Advanced manufacturing
- Construction
- Hospitality
- Other specified industries.
MassHire Career Centers
You can go to a MassHire Career Center for help searching for a job or finding a job training program to suit your career goals.
Visit a MassHire Career Center for:
- Job search assistance;
- Career planning information;
- Workshops on job search techniques including interviewing, networking, and resume writing;
- Data on the current statewide and local job market;
- Resources to help you find the right training opportunities; and
- Tools to help you conduct an effective job search.
- For more information, visit the MassHire Career Center website.
Immigration Legal Support
The MA Office of Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) is committed to promoting the full participation of refugees and immigrants in our communities.
ORI has a list of organizations that might be able to help with issues related to immigration, work permits, or citizenship.
NOTE: Be careful of organizations not shared in this list, who are claiming to offer immigration help, as they could be fraudulent. You can use this page to find trusted organizations.
Food Resources
If it is hard to afford food, there is help available. Below you will find options to help you pay for food, as well as places where you can get food for your family at low or no cost.
Food Assistance (SNAP)
What is SNAP?
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal food health program by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) for Massachusetts residents.
SNAP benefits include:
- Money to buy healthy food.
- It is fast and easy to apply.
- Money is added monthly to a debit-like Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy food
Other Benefits:
- An additional $40, $60 or $80 a month put back on your EBT card when you use SNAP to buy local produce via the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
- SNAP Path to Work free education and training opportunities – families who participate may be able to get free child care
- Free nutrition education classes and resources
- Connections to other kinds of help, such as:
- utility discounts,
- free school meals,
- direct eligibility for Head Start child care,
- discounted internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program, and
- discounted admissions to many Commonwealth museums and cultural institutions via EBT Card to Culture
Am I eligible for SNAP?
SNAP eligibility is based who is in the household, income and certain expenses. “Eligibility” means who can and can’t get the benefit. Check your eligibility in 30 seconds using the SNAP confidential screener.
What if I'm not a U.S. Citizen?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you might still be eligible for SNAP. Contact DTA to find out if you are eligible.
Even if you are not eligible, it is safe for you to apply and get SNAP for an eligible family member (like a U.S. citizen child). SNAP is not part of a public charge test. This means that taking SNAP benefits will not impact your ability to gain permanent resident status.
How can I apply for SNAP?
- Online: www.DTAConnect.com
Language: You can select your language on the page: Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Chinese and Haitian Creole - Phone: Call 877-382-2363 Mon – Fri 8:15 am-4:45 pm
- In Person: Find DTA office locations
Housing Resources
If you are in an emergency housing situation
- You can contact 211 to see if there are any non-EA shelter resources in your area. Mass 211: www.mass211.org; 877-211-6277.
Housing Search
- Housing Navigator Massachusetts offers a listing of available affordable housing
Massachusetts Housing Programs
Massachusetts has a variety of housing assistance programs.
The majority of these programs have long waitlists. We highly recommend joining these lists as a long-term housing strategy, but these programs most often do not offer immediate housing solutions.
HomeBASE
The newly redesigned HomeBASE program helps families who have been found eligible for EA Family Shelter by providing up to $30,000 over a 2-year period, with the possibility of a 3rd year of up to $15,000 of help (totaling $45,000 over three years).
Of the state housing resources available to homeless families, HomeBASE is the most immediately available way to secure housing for most.
- How it works: You pay at least 30% of your gross monthly income toward rent. You don’t need to have income now to get started using HomeBASE. You can work with your case manager on increasing your income once you are safely housed.
- What can it pay for? You can use HomeBASE to rent an apartment, share an apartment with another family or pay a host to live with them. You can also use it to move to another state. When moving out of state it will pay your first month and last month of rent and the security deposit, as well as bus or air travel costs. It will only provide ongoing rental assistance in that state of Massachusetts.
- Will I maintain my Homeless Status if I take HomeBASE? When you accept HomeBASE, you maintain your homeless status for state public housing and vouchers (MRVP). You do not maintain your homeless status for federally funded units.
- How can I explain HomeBASE to Landlords: There is a HomeBASE webpage for landlords, if you have a landlord who wants to know more about the program.
Housing Vouchers
All families can apply for housing vouchers directly through the MRVP or Section 8 programs. Like public housing, these programs have long waiting lists, but the only way to be considered to receive a voucher is to be on the waitlist, so it is important to join.
You may have heard from other families living in shelter that they have received a housing voucher (Section 8 or MRVP). The EA shelter system did receive a group of 1,200 Housing Vouchers to distribute to families. This was an emergency allocation to support making room in shelter for families on the EA Shelter waitlist. The majority of those vouchers have already been distributed. You should not count on receiving a voucher from this grouping given extremely limited availability.
Re-ticketing Program
The Re-ticketing program helps families pay for travel tickets. These travel tickets can help get you to family, friends, or other resources where you can stay. If you want to buy travel tickets, talk to your Homeless Coordinator or Case Manager at a Temporary Respite Center or Clinical and Safety Risk Assessment Site.
Meeting Basic Needs
Family Resource Centers are funded by the Commonwealth across Massachusetts to support families in accessing basic needs and resources.
Charities in Your Area
Massachusetts has charities and organizations that can often provide support to people who need it. Please visit www.mass211.org or call 211 at 877-211-6277 to find possible resources in your area. You will be able to find resources from childcare to food, to transportation in your new area.
Resources for Family Members with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
- The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) funds family and autism support programs and services across the state to provide information and help to families with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, who are living at home.
For the most up to date resources, visit the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Family Support Center resource page - scroll down to the “Family Support Directory.” You can download the directory to find support in your area.
Cultural Communities
Finding cultural communities may help you and your family feel more at home and integrated in your area. Identifying people to connect with in a new area requires effort and time. Find a cultural community in your area, through your Local Cultural Council (LCC).
- Research and Explore Online: Look for local community centers in your area. Look online for events, gatherings, or groups that interest you.
- Visit Cultural Centers and Events: Attend cultural festivals or events in your new area. It's a great way to meet people from all backgrounds.
- Attend Language or Cultural Exchange Programs: Many communities offer English learning classes. You can meet new people from all backgrounds.
- Be Open and Respectful: Approach new cultures with an open mind and respect for diversity.
Resource List Translated into Spanish, Portuguese, CV Creole and Haitian Creole
You can access the resources on this page in PDF format here:
English | Cape Verdean Creole | Spanish | Haitian Creole| Portuguese