COVID-19 Resources

MASSACHUSETTS RESOURCES AS OF MAY 1, 2020

 

General Assistance Updates: For general public assistance questions call 211

 

Unemployment Updates: 

To apply for unemployment go here: https://www.mass.gov/guides/what-to-do-if-youve-become-unemployed-in-massachusetts and if you need help here is a handbook: https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-unemployment-handbook-initial-claims-filed-on-or-after-march-15-2020/download New regulations loosen the 1 week waiting period and “work search” requirements. If you have questions about these or other changes, call 617-626-6422

Spanish language unemployment website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/informacion-de-desempleo-de-massachusetts-sobre-el-virus-covid-19

 

FOOD ASSISTANCE:

  1. Apply for SNAP/Food stamps. (877) 382-2363 or go online https://www.mass.gov/snap-benefits-food-stamps
  2. Look for a food resource in your neighborhood at the City of Boston Food Map: City food https://www.boston.gov/departments/food-access#food-resources-maps
    1. Healthy Incentives Program earn money when buying healthy food
    2.  WIC: https://www.mass.gov/wic-information-for-participants
    3. Find a food bank: https://www.gbfb.org/need-food

Boston residents of any age can now get free food at these times and locations. Residents should go to the location closest to where they live:

  • East Boston YMCA, 215 Breman St., 8 a.m. to noon.
  • Leahy Holloran Community Center, 1 Worrell St., 9 a.m. to noon.
  • Mary Ellen McCormack, Sterling Square, 10 a.m. to noon.
  • YMCA at Egleston Square, 3134 Washington St., 8 a.m. to noon.
  • BCYF Mattahunt, 100 Hebron St., 9 a.m. to noon.
  • Oak Square YMCA, 615 Washington St., 8 a.m. to noon.

 

HEAT ASSISTANCE

NATIONAL GRID IS SUSPENDING ALL COLLECTIONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE EVERSOURCE IS SUSPENDING ALL DISCONNECTIONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

  1. Apply for Fuel Assistance. (800) 632-8175https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-home-heating-and-energy-assistance
  2. City of Boston resources:https://www.boston.gov/departments/311/home-heating-help-tenants
  3. Other cities and towns: Service Providers by Town
P-EBT – This May, Massachusetts will be launching the federal Pandemic EBT program, providing food support to all families with children who were receiving free or reduced-price meals in school. Since schools have now been closed for the remainder of the school year, P-EBT will allocate extra resources for families to feed their children. DTA will be mailing all eligible families a letter in May to begin the process. For more information, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/pandemic-ebt-p-ebt
Frontline Worker Resources – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey launched a new site for Frontline workers (meaning all our members who are currently working). Many of these resources are already out there but there is a link for free emergency child care if a member cannot find child care anywhere else: https://www.frontlinema.org/

 

United Way Fund: 

If members need immediate money, call 211 and ask for the United Way Fund.  They are offering cash assistance to Massachusetts residents. For more info go to: https://unitedwaymassbay.org/get-involved/covid-19-family-fund/

 

UNION CAPITAL Fund:

is offering gift cards, to apply click here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoIROjCAZrjNOxacVg0CBAfKSMpQ7wY2eVZsA9QmB8__zTlg/viewform

 

The RAFT Program
The RAFT program can be of help in paying rent, moving costs or utilities and just got a $5 million infusion from the state. To see if you are eligible, click here. To access it call 1-800-224-5124.
Here is more info:

RAFT offers flexible financial assistance designed to meet each family’s particular needs. Eligible uses include:

  • moving cost assistance
  • rent and utility arrears
  • rental stipends
  • utility bills
  • helps families who must move but do not have enough money to pay a security deposit, utility startup costs, or first/last month’s rent, and furniture (no more than $1000 of the family’s can be paid for furniture).
  • Families cannot get more than $4000 within a 12-month period.

 

Grant and Hardship Fund:

CJP Warmline: https://www.cjpwarmline.org/

Modest Needs Grant: https://www.modestneeds.org/for-applicants/

Bartenders hardship fund: https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap

Cambridge residents: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CambridgeCommunityFoundation/CambridgeCOVID19EmergencyFund2

 

OFW Fund: https://ofwemergencyfund.org/help

Boston Helps: Fill out form which will connect people to providers: https://www.boston.com/boston-helps/coronavirus-im-looking-for-help

 

Reducing internet/cable costs for members:

  • Comcast is offering 60 days of free service to new Internet Essentials customers and free remote installation. It’s also increasing service speeds for new and existing customers. 1-855-846-8376 or Apply for service.
  • Starry is offering free service until the end of May to all current Starry Connect subscribers and anyone who signs up for Starry Connect before the end of May. You must live in a building that is currently served by the Starry Connect program.
  • PCs for People offers low-cost Wi-Fi hotspots and computers to qualifying households

     

Health Care:  Insurers must cover COVID-19 related treatment and testing without requiring cost-sharing of any kind – such as co-pays and coinsurance – for testing and treatment. Additionally, insurers cannot require prior authorization for these services.

 

Free meals: The City of Boston and other regional partners will be providing free meals at various locations and times. Call Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline at (800) 645-8333 to find the best location for the member

 

 

RHODE ISLAND RESOURCES AS OF MARCH 18, 2020

 

Unemployment

File an Unemployment claim: https://dltweb.dlt.ri.gov/UIClaims2013/intro/index.aspx?AC=yes

 

General Questions & Cash Assistance

For General Questions call: 211

To see what public assistance you qualify for go to:

https://healthyrhode.ri.gov/access/am-i-eligible?PAGE_ACTION=LoadWelcome&language=EN

For a full listing of public assistance programs go to:

http://www.economicprogressri.org/index.php/guide-to-assistance-full-listing-all-programs/

 

Paying mortgage or rent

Hardest hit fund for homeowners: hhfri.org or call (401) 277-1500

Rhode Island Housing HelpCenter – rent, mortgage, and foreclosure help: 401-457-1130 or https://www.rihousing.com/homeowner-assistance/

Housing Mediation, counseling, and other resources by bank: Read more.

 

Other housing assistance by location:

BLACKSTONE VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
401-723-4520-238
32 Goff Avenue
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860-2928

THE HOUSING NETWORK OF RHODE ISLAND
401-521-1461
1070 Main Street
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860

COMMUNITYWORKSRI
401-273-2330-109
693 Broad Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02907

OLNEYVILLE HOUSING CORPORATION
401-351-8719
66 Chaffee Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02909

PROVIDENCE HOUSING AUTHORITY
401-709-6400
100 Broad Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903-4129

RHODE ISLAND HOUSING
401-457-1130
44 Washington St
Providence, Rhode Island 02903-1721

 

Healthcare

RIte Care Assistance Program: (401) 462-5300

Prescription Drug Assistance Program from RIRx: https://rirx.com/

Child Care Assistance Program: (401) 462-5300RIte Share – Healthcare assistance program for families: (401) 462-0311or http://www.eohhs.ri.gov/Consumer/FamilieswithChildren/RIteShare.aspx

  

Food

Food pantries near Providence

SNAP, R.I. Works Program, Cash assistance, other programs: https://healthyrhode.ri.gov/access/am-i-eligible?PAGE_ACTION=LoadWelcome&language=EN

RI Food Banks: Read more.

 

Energy and Heating Assistance

RISEO Emergency Fuel Program
This Rhode Island program is a separate program from LIHEAP and it offers emergency assistance to households that are experiencing an energy-related crisis, and will help families pay utility and heating bills.

Good Neighbor Energy Fund: www.rhodeislandgoodneighbor.org.

UniBank assistance program: 508-754-1176

Heating assistance: https://www.ricommunityaction.org/member-services/default.aspx

 

County Specific assistance:

Kent County

Newport County

Providence County

Washington County