Financial Assistance Resources

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1	Updated: April/May 2024
2	Financial Assistance Resources
3	Note: Below is a range of programs that provide financial assistance (within a certain capacity) to individuals seeking support in areas such as food and grocery benefits, specific heating/seasonal bills, rent, medical equipment, phone bills, gas, and internet services.
4	Name	Contact Info	Description	Website

5	Cambridge/Boston
6	Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee	11 Inman Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 868-2900 Email: info@ceoccambridge.org Hours: Mon.–Fri., 9am–5pm	Helps people apply for and resolve problems with Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, TAFDC, SNAP, etc. Also provides financial education services, tax assistance and helping individuals and families apply for and renew health insurance. Areas of Support: • College and FAFSA Assistance • Financial Education and Coaching • Food Pantry • Health Insurance Assistance • Housing Assistance • Public Benefits Assistance • SNAP/Food Stamps • Tax Preparation Eligibility Requirement: Cambridge Residency	https://ceoccambridge.org/
7	City of Cambridge Department of Human Services – Fuel Assistance	51 Inman St. Cambridge, MA 02139 (Basement level) Main Line: 617-349-6252 Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 671-492-0235 Check Status of Application/Speak with Fuel Assistance Staff/Report a No-Heat Situation: 617-665-6234 Email: dhspfuel@cambridgema.gov Hours: Mon., 8:30am–8pm; Tues.–Thurs., 8:30am–5pm Fri., 8:30am - Noon	The Fuel Assistance Program helps low-income households pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Renters and homeowners in Cambridge and Somerville are eligible to apply if they meet federal income guidelines. Notes: • Applications for filing begin October 1. • Residents can apply for fuel assistance in four ways (refer to website, at right, for details).	https://www.cambridgema.gov/DHSP/programsforadults/fuelassistance
8	City of Cambridge Housing Stabilization Program	795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 617-349-9797 Hours: Mon., 8:30am–8pm; Tues.–Thurs., 8:30am–5pm; Fri., 8:30am–Noon	The City of Cambridge COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program serves to provide short term financial assistance to individuals and families in Cambridge who are experiencing housing instability due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will subsidize eligible households whose rent, mortgage, condominium fees, or cooperative carrying charges are more than 35% of their gross household income at time of application. How to Apply: • Online Application • Application Assistance: 617-349-9797 Eligibility Requirements for Applicants: • Must be Cambridge residents • Must be Cambridge Tenants, Owners of a Limited Equity Co-op or Owners of a home purchased subject to long term affordability restrictions administered by the City or other public agency • Must demonstrate that their housing costs (condo fee, cooperative carrying charge, mortgage or rent) are more than 35% of their gross household income, at the time of application • Must not have more than $75,000 in liquid assets • Must not have received funding from this program already • Their total household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) at the time of application (see chart on webpage at right for more information)	https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/housingfund
9	Department of Human Service Programs (Multi-Service Center)	362 Green Street, 3rd floor Cambridge, MA 02139 Main Line: 617-349-6340 Intake Coordinator: 617-349-6347 Email: bpaige@cambridgema.gov (Intake Coordinator) Hours: Monday, 9:00 am - 7:30 pm; Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm; Friday, 9:00 am - 11:30 am	The Multi-Service Center (MSC), a division of the Department of Human Service Programs, is a collaboration of case managers who help people with their housing challenges. They serve members of the Cambridge community who are low-income, experiencing housing instability, or experiencing homelessness. Areas of Support: • Advocacy • Budget Counseling • Financial Assistance • Housing Search Assistance • Mediation • Referrals Notes: • The Multi-Service Center can provide housing-related financial assistance towards eviction prevention funds and move-in costs, especially for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness. • Walk-in hours are open during hours of operation, but please call for specific intake appointments.	https://www.cambridgema.gov/Services/HomelessandEvictionPreventionServices
10	Salvation Army in Eastern Massachusetts	402 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4132 Main Line and Emergency Assistance: 617-547-3400 Hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm	A wide variety of assistance is offered to individuals and families in need and is available on an as-needed basis. Each person is given individual attention during the process of intake, evaluation, and case management. After an assessment of need, family qualifications and program requirements, assistance may be given. Areas of Support: Clothing Assistance, Counseling, Food and Grocery Store Vouchers, Referrals and Case Management, Rental and Mortgage Assistance, Utility Assistance (Good Neighbor Energy Fund) Notes: • Can help those across Boston/Cambridge/Eastern Massachusetts meet and pay for their basic needs. • Please call number provided to schedule an appointment for resources. • When appropriate, referrals are given to other agencies that may better serve the client's needs (such as food stamps, employment resources, and housing services).	General Information: https://massachusetts.salvationarmy.org/MA/Cambridge?openDocument&charset=utf-8
11	Lend A Hand Society	89 South Street, Suite 203 Boston, MA 02111 617-338-5301 Email: lendahandsociety@mac.com Days and Hours: N/A (please contact for more information)	Provides financial assistance to low-income families and individuals. Also assists with rent, utility bills, and financing for certain medical equipment and eyeglasses and dental care.	https://lend-a-hand-society.org
12	Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)	100 Cambridge St, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114 Main line: 617-573-1100 Deaf and hard of hearing: 617-573-1140 Days and Hours: N/A (please contact for more information)	Offers a free resource to help eligible households pay a portion of winter heating bills. Notes: • All Massachusetts residents are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program and apply for assistance. • No matter what type of heating source residents have, LIHEAP may be able to help them pay your winter heating bills. • The program is 100% free for those who qualify. • Beware of scams by people charging an “application fee” to help submit an application. • The program provides assistance through a fixed benefit amount for the cost of the primary source of heat with includes, but is not limited to: oil, electricity, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood, coal. • If eligible, discounts are automatically given on: electric bills for investor-owned electric utilities, gas bills for investor-owned gas utilities and telephone bills.	https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-home-energy-assistance-liheap
13	Supplemental Cash Assistance (Department of Transitional Assistance)	Full Service Office: 2201 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 Self Service Kiosk: 167 Holland Street, Somerville, MA 02144 DTA Assistance Line: 877-382-2363 Days and Hours (DTA Assistance): Mon–Fri, 8:15 am–4:45 pm	Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) are economic assistance (cash benefit) programs. They help individuals and families explore opportunities, improve their finances, and reach their goals—administered through the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). Areas of Support: • Case Management • Education/Training/Employment Opportunities • Health Insurance • Monthly Cash Payments for Necessities (i.e., housing, utilities, and clothing)	About Cash Benefits: https://www.mass.gov/economic-assistance-cash-benefits About Food & Cash Assistance: https://www.mass.gov/topics/food-cash-assistance Apply for TAFDC: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-tafdc
14	REACH \| Relief and Emergency Assistance for Community Hope (Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition)	Address: N/A (Mailing Address: P.O. Box 960784, Boston, MA 02196) Phone: 617-778-0519 Email: info@masstpc.org Contact Page: https://www.masstpc.org/contact-us/ Days and Hours: N/A (please contact for more information)	REACH works to provide transgender and nonbinary people in Massachusetts with emergency funds for a variety of expenses. Areas of Support: • Additional Urgent Needs • Disaster Recovery • Health Support • Medical Expenses	Home Page: https://www.masstpc.org/ REACH: https://www.masstpc.org/resources/reach/ Resources: https://www.masstpc.org/resources/
15	Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts	Address: N/A (Mailing Address: Transgender Emergency Fund of MA, Inc. P.O. Box 220270 Boston, MA 02122-0013) Phones: Member Services: 774-243-4647 Transitional Housing Program: 617-506-8631 Email: info@transemergencyfund.org Contact Page: https://transemergencyfund.org/contact/ Days and Hours: N/A (please contact for more information)	Assists with homelessness prevention, shelter assistance, nutrition assistance, prescription co-pay assistance, transportation and escort to medical appointments, among providing other basic needs and modes of support. Areas of Support: • Homelessness Prevention (Rental Assistance) • HRT Prescription Co-Pays • Money for New/Replacement State ID with Gender Marker Change • Personal Supplies to Meet Basic Needs • Transportation to Medical Appointments • Utilities • Winter Clothing	https://transemergencyfund.org/services/
16	Statewide (Massachusetts)
17	Mass Save	Contact Page: https://www.masssave.com/en/contact Days and Hours: N/A (please contact for more information)	Mass Save empowers residents, businesses, and communities to make energy efficient upgrades by offering a wide range of services, rebates, incentives, trainings, and information. Serves Customers Of: • Berkshire Gas • Cape Light Compact • Eversource • Liberty Utilities • National Grid • Unitil	https://www.masssave.com/en/about-us
18	National
19	Lifeline Support (Universal Service Administrative Company/FCC)	Address: N/A (Mailing Address: PO Box 1000, Horseheads, NY 14845 **this will be their new mailing address as of 6/1/2024.) Support Center Phone: (800) 234-9473 Support Center Email: LifelineSupport@usac.org Support Center Hours: 7 days a week, 9am–9pm Contact information: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/get-help/	Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service for low-income households. Area of Support: Affordable Internet/Phone Services Notes: • The benefit provides eligible consumers with a discount of up to $9.25 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $34.25 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. • You can get one Lifeline benefit per household (not per person). • You can have a Lifeline benefit for phone service or internet service, but not both. The two steps to get Lifeline are (1) Apply (to confirm you qualify) and (2) Sign up by choosing a phone/internet company near you that offers the Lifeline benefit. When first applying to see if you qualify, there are three methods to do so: • Online - use Apply link listed at right • Contact phone or internet company • Mail - Lifeline Support Center, PO Box 1000, Horseheads, NY 14845 **this will be their new mailing address as of 6/1/2024.	Main page: https://www.lifelinesupport.org Get started: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/get-started/ Apply: https://getinternet.gov/apply?id=nv_home&ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D
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