Are you or someone you know a member of the Jewish community who is having trouble covering even basic expenses?
Yad Chessed’s experienced staff can help you navigate available options, match resources to your personal needs, and help you achieve financial stability. Call us at 781-487-2693.
If you’d like to explore community programs and services on your own, we’ve created this online guide. Remember that your best resources may be close to home:
- Call or visit your town hall or look at your town’s website. There may be special funds or services unique to your area, and they may have guides to organizations and agencies that provide help to people who are struggling financially.
- If you have children, the school social worker or guidance counselor may be helpful.
- If you’re over 62 or disabled, your town’s senior center or Council on Aging may be an excellent resource.
- Food
- Utilities
- Housing
- Mental Health
- Health & Dental Care
- Employment Assistance
- Legal
- Older Adults
- Domestic Violence
| Need | Organization / Program | Website | Phone | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh food | Fair Foods | FairFoods.org | 617-282-6185 | $2 bags of fresh foods distributed in various area locations (see website). NO ID or signup required |
| Food — nonprofit grocery store | Daily Table Grocery Store | DailyTable.org | 617-506-0219 | low-priced groceries, including fresh food; free parking. 450 Washington Street, Dorchester 02124 |
| Find food pantries and food other resources near you | Project Bread Hotline | ProjectBread.org | 1-800-645-8333 | |
| Boston-area Jewish community food pantry | Family Table | n/a | 781-647-5327 | Call for information on eligibility and locations |
| Find out about eligibility and applying for SNAP (“food stamps”) benefits | Project Bread / Getting SNAP | GettingFoodStamps.org | 1-800-645-8333 | Online chat also available |
| Low-priced meals for older adults and people with disabilities | Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs | n/a | 1-800-882-2003 | Find local meals-on-wheels and congregate meal programs |
| School-based meals for kids (including summers) | n/a | meals4kids.org | n/a |
| Need | Organization / Program | Website | Phone | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility and application information for government utility assistance | Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Cold Relief Heatline | n/a | 1-800-632-8175 | |
| Eligibility and application information for privately funded utility assistance | Citizens Energy Corp | CitizensEnergy.com | 1-877-563-4645 | |
| Eligibility and application information for privately funded utility assistance | Mass. Good Neighbor Energy Fund | MaGoodNeighbor.org | 1-800-334-3047 | |
| Information on resources in your area | Your local Regional Community Action Agency (CAA) | MassCap.org | n/a | Click on “agencies and services” to find the CAA near you |
| Help if your utility company is uncooperative in creating a payment plan | Mass. Department of Public Utilities | n/a | 1-877-886-5066 |
| Need | Organization / Program | Website | Phone | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information on immediate shelter | Mass. Coalition for the Homeless | MAhomeless.org | n/a | On website, click on the “Get Help” tab for contact information of shelter options |
| Housing-related assistance in your area | Mass. Housing Consumer Education Centers | RegionalHousing.net | 1-800-244-5124 | Education & assistance, including for those at risk of losing their homes |
| People in Boston or Cambridge who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless | Homestart, Inc. | Homestart.org | Boston: 617-542-0338; Cambridge: 617-234-5340 | On website, click on “Contact” for locations and walk-in hours |
| Domestic violence: emergency housing & other assistance | Safelink (at Casa Myrna) | CasaMyrna.org | 24-hour hotline: 1-877-785-2020 | |
| Older adults: housing options | CJP Senior Direct | cjpSeniorDirect.com | 1-800-980-1982 | Education & assistance with housing — from independent living to assisting living & skilled nursing facilities |
| Older adults: foreclosure prevention for those in low to moderate-income range | H.O.M.E. | ElderHomeowners.org | 1-800-583-5337 | See website for age and income requirements |
| Older adults: affordable and subsidized non-sectarian supportive housing | Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE) | jche.org | 617-912-8400 | Note: waiting lists for most units; on the website, click on the “Living at JCHE” tab |
| Need | Organization / Program | Website | Phone | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suicide prevention | Mass. Samaritans Suicide Prevention 24-Hour Hotline | SamaritansHope.org | 877-870-4673 | From 3-11 PM, a texting option is available; see website for special options for teens and college students |
| Find a therapist | SWTR Therapy Referral Service | TherapyMatcher.org | n/a | Find a therapist who matches your needs and takes your insurance |
| Online mental health info for men | Mass Men | MassMen.org | n/a | Mental health information and resources for men |
| Countrywide 24-hour mental health helpline and referral service | SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) | samhsa.gov | 1-800-662-4357 | Info and referrals related to mental health and addiction |
| Info on navigating the mental healthcare system in Mass. | NAMI’s (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Mass. Helpline | namimass.org | 1-800-370-9085 | For caregivers, family members, and those experiencing mental health issues |
| Need | Organization / Program | Website | Phone | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistance finding affordable insurance in Mass. | Healthcare for All’s Insurance Helpline | phone only | 1-800-272-4232 | |
| Healthcare hotline | State of Massachusetts | mahealthconnector.org | 1-877-623-6765 | Mass Health Connector includes info on walk-in centers |
| Low-cost or free health & dental care in your area | NeedyMeds | needymeds.org | n/a | Click on the “Patient Savings” tab, choose Free/Low Cost/Sliding Scale Clinics; they also have info on prescription discounts available through medication manufacturers: use the “Patient Savings” tab and choose “Prescription Assistance.” |
| Research fair price for medical & dental procedures | Healthcare Blue Book | HealthcareBlueBook.com | n/a |
| Need | Organization / Program | Website | Phone | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment help and job training in and near Boston | JVS Career Solutions | careersolution.org | 617-399-3131, Press 5 | |
| Find employment help in your area | Massachusetts Career Centers | mass.gov/portal | n/a | Type “one stop” in the Search field and then choose “find a career center near you” |
| Need | Organization / Program | Website | Phone | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Resource Finder | Mass Legal Services | MassLegalServices.org | online only | Finds legal resources and services that are free or low-cost |
| Legal information and referral service | Legal Resource Finder at Mass Legal Help | masslegalhelp.org | n/a | Click on “Find Legal Aid” & choose “Lawyer Referral Services” |
| Low-income legal help (non-criminal) | Greater Boston Legal Services | gbls.org | 1-800-323-3205 | Choose “Get Legal Help” and then “Can GBLS Help Me?” |
| Online legal help | State of Massachusetts | mass.gov | online onlyl | Online chat or email a law librarian |
| Low-income legal help (non-criminal) in Metrowest | Metrowest Legal Services | mwlegal.org | 1-800-696-1501 | Choose the “Get Legal Help” tab |
| Need | Organization / Program | Website | Phone | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resources & information | CJP Senior Direct | cjpseniordirect.com | 1-800-980-1982 | Guidance on issues including (but not limited to) affordable housing, transportation, health care, food & home care services |
| Elder service agency in your area | Mass. gov’t. info on aging | 800ageinfo.com | 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) | Click on “find your regional elder care agency” |
| Community-based services for older adults and those with disabilities | Mass Options | massoptions.org | 1-844-422-6277 | Options for info via online chat or email |
| Find local meals-on-wheels and congregate meals for older adults | Mass. gov’t. senior nutrition programs information | n/a | 1-800-882-2003 | |
| Help choosing Medicare & Medicaid insurance | Mass. SHINE Program | n/a | 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) and press 3 | You can make an appointment for in-person help |
| Affordable non-sectarian supportive housing | Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE) | jche.org | 617-912-8400 | Note: waiting lists for most units; on the website, click on the “Living at JCHE” tab |
| Need | Organization / Program | Website | Phone | Other Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence hotline: emergency & other assistance | Safelink at Casa Myrna | casamyrna.org | 24 hour hotline: 1-877-785-2020 | Including (but not limited to) help with safety planning & emergency housing |
| Domestic violence: non-emergency services | Journey to Safety at Jewish Family & Children’s Services | n/a | 781-693-1213 (NOT a hotline; open business hours) | Including (but not limited to) counseling, safety planning, and support groups |