Additional Resources
In this time of uncertainty we know how important it is to be able to access everything you need in one location. Use these links to find valuable resources online and in your community to help you through this difficult time.
- Unemployment Services
- Have you lost your job? You may qualify for temporary income to support you while you look for a new one. The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may now pay unemployment benefits if a worker is quarantined due to an order by a civil authority or medical professional or leaves employment due to reasonable risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member and does not intend to or is not allowed to return to work. For more information on how to apply for unemployment benefits online, please visit www.mass.gov
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is available to individuals who are unable to work because of a COVID-19-related reason but are not eligible for regular or extended unemployment benefits.
- Housing
- Families applying for Emergency Assistance shelter through the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) can only apply by calling this phone number: 1-866-584-0653. It is best to call on a weekday before 5:00 P.M. Calls made after 5:00 P.M. during the week or on the weekends may have a delayed response. For more information visit www.mahomeless.org/advocacy/item/coronavirus
- Food Assistance
- Food Assistance Handout - English: Print the handout for easy access to resources
- Food Assistance Handout -Spanish
- Food Drop Locations: Grab-and-Go food locations for children
- Mass Thrive: Search for free or reduced cost food (and other resources) in your area
- DTA Connect: Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333
- Greater Boston Food Bank, including food resource maps
- Food Bank of Western MA: Food locator from agencies throughout western Massachusetts
- Map of COVID-19 Food Resources in Boston
- Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program
- Women, Infants, & Children (WIC): apply online for WIC services or call 1-800-942-1007 or 617-721-6601
- Prescription Delivery Services
- MassHealth & BMC Health Plan are now allowing 90 days’ supplies to be filled. They are also allowing emergency supplies and early refills at the pharmacist’s discretion. You can get your prescription mailed to you by contacting Cornerstone Health Solutions mail order pharmacy at 1-844-319-7588 option #1 to enroll. Learn more about the Mail Order Pharmacy Program
- Phone/Internet Assistance -
- MassHealth Provider Resource: Telephone and Internet Connection for Telehealth
- Mental Health Support
- Beacon Health Options (BMC HealthNet Plan’s mental health partner)
- Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990
- Call2Talk (mental health and emotional support line): 508-532-CALL (2255)
- Behavioral Health Emergency Services program, which helps you get the phone number for local mental health and substance use emergency services program: 1-877-382-1609
- Household Supplies and Toiletries
- The Salvation Army Boston Community Center (residents of Suffolk County): 617-536-5260
- The Salvation Army for Massachusetts Division: 339-502-5900
- Personal Care Attendant Services (resources for working with your PCA throughout the COVID-19 pandemic)
- Massachusetts Nursing Home Family Resource Line (for families/community members who have questions about nursing home or rest home care their loved one is receiving during COVID-19): 617-660-5399
- Other Community Resources
- Massachusetts Community Resource Directory (resources can be translated into more than 100 languages)
- BMC HealthNet Plan Nurse Advice Line: 1-800-973-6273
- ABCD Boston provides multiple locations throughout the city with various programs to support childcare, employment, energy, essentials, housing, immigration, and tax assistance: 617-348-600
- Sign up to get COVID-19 text updates. For Boston updates, text BOSCOVID to 888777; for statewide updates, text COVIDMA TO 888777
- Make your own cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19