Cost-Saving Programs

General Information

Town of Acton Community Resources Website

For Acton residents, find lots of information on financial, fuel and rental assistance, useful links to save money or to get help on the Town of Acton Community Resources Website.    Contact your Community Services Coordinator (see list here) for more information, to see which programs you might be eligible for,  or for help to fill in forms.

Town of Boxborough Community Resources Website

For Boxborough residents, find lots of information on financial, fuel and rental assistance, useful links to save money or to get help on the Town of Boxborough Community Resources Website.    Contact your Community Services Coordinator (see list here) for more information, to see which programs you might be eligible for, or for help to fill in forms.

Financial Education & Budgeting

Women's Money Matters

Women's Money Matters helps women regain control of their finances, reduce financial anxiety, increase economic self-sufficiency and transform their lives by teaching core money management skills. Free money-management workshops and 1:1 personalized mentoring. Learn more here. 

Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance

Apply for SNAP, (summer) EBT, cash benefits, EAEDC at the  MA Department of Transitional Assistance, or apply from your phone from the DTA App.  

Your Community Resources Coordinator can help you identify which programs you are eligible for. 

Bridge Forward Fund

Bridge Forward Fund is a Massachusetts economic mobility fund designed to help individuals and families experiencing financial hardship with multi-year grants to support their journey towards stability and wealth building.   The fund is for individuals and families with incomes below or at $80,000 experiencing financial hardship of any kind, with particular (but not exclusive) focus on those with needs arising from emergencies, medical issues, education, and housing instability. 

Boxborough Rental Assistance Program

The Boxborough Rental Assistance Program (BRAP) provides rental assistance to income-eligible households who are renting qualifying units in the Town of Boxborough. Program participants receive $250 per month in rental assistance, paid directly to landlords, for a period of 1 year. Applications are typically open for a period during the summer. Participants may re-certify for up to 3 years total participation. Learn more here.

RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition)

The RAFT Program is a homelessness prevention program provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. 

https://applyhousinghelp.mass.gov

Critical Home Repair Program

Habitat for Humanity of North Central Massachusetts operates a home preservation program that provides needed interior and exterior repairs for low-income homeowners, so that they may maintain a safe, decent, and affordable place to live. If you need help affording critical home repairs, find out more here. 

Household Goods is a non-profit in Acton which provides a full range of donated furniture and household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home.   People can only go once in a lifetime, so best to go when you need to furnish a full apartment.   A referral is needed from a community services organization such as the town Community Resources Coordinators , the school (for AB schools : via the counselor to Debbie Sye),  a faith community leader, health care provider, or similar position.  Those receiving goods need to provide a truck to transport the items home.

Fresh Start Furniture Bank in Hudson, MA collects donations of furniture and home goods from the public and distributes them, for free, to people in need.  People can only go once in a lifetime, so best to go when you need to furnish a full apartment.  

You need a referral from an agency, or one of the Community Resources Coordinators before you can visit their store. Once the agency has submitted the referral, you can make an appointment to come in.

Mission of Deeds in Reading, MA is a volunteer-supported nonprofit that gives new beds and gently used donated furniture, kitchen items, and basic household goods, free of charge, to people leaving homelessness and others in great need. You must first get a referral from a suitable person/agency, such as the Community Resources Coordinators or the school.

You can find donated new and gently used furniture, home improvement and building materials at a fraction of the original retail value at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore location at 637 Lancaster Street (Route 117) , Leominster   978.227.5556   restorencm.org 

The Cornerstone Thrift Shop provides household items, small appliances, table linens and curtains (and sometimes bedding) at low cost.  12 Concord Rd, Acton  actonc.org/cornerstone-thrift-shop

Savers is a for-profit large thrift store chain that has 2nd hand small furniture, household goods, small appliances, bed & bath, electronics, clothing, bags and backpacks, games and toys, sporting goods, books and media.  Different locations have different inventory.  Find locations at savers.com (Marlborough, Framingham, Worcester are closest to us).

Deb's Beds will deliver and install a bed with all bedding for each of the children in a family  who cannot afford to buy beds for their children.  Please complete this form to request a bed delivery.

The Mission Movers help people in need from Acton and Boxborough to move.  Contact your Community Resources Coordinator to check whether you are eligible.  The client needs to provide the truck for transportation.

Gifts of Hope supports those impacted by relationship violence by providing financial assistance, home resources, and community-focused initiatives as a step towards a safe and empowered future.   Need to get a referral, eg from Domestic Violence Services Network

Fuel assistance programs

Fuel assistance programs are available through SMOC in Framingham  and the Good Neighbor Fuel Fund.  Contact your community services coordinator here for Acton, here for Boxborough.

Energize Acton, Energize Boxborough  - find actions that you can take to lower your electricity cost  (also for renters) or carbon footprint here  for Acton, here for Boxborough

Acton Power Choice - www.ActonPowerChoice.com - town electricity purchase plan with the potential for savings (no guarantee) on electricity over Eversource rate

Massave-  https://www.masssave.com/  - financial support and technical services to help you save money and use less energy

Internet Essentials from Comcast. Offers low-cost internet ($9.95/month) to qualifying residents. Learn more and apply.  At the time of this writing they also offer a Dell computer or chromebook for $149.99 for eligible customers, info here.

Affordable Internet  for people with lower income.  Check whether the Affordable Internet Program (government funded) is available again,  and apply here

The library has computers that you can use for free, they might also have hotspots available.    Acton Memorial Library , Boxborough Sargent Library     See more info here on other equipment the Acton library gives out and here for the Boxborough library - for loan or at the library  (wireless mobile hotspots enz.)

Free Children's Birthday Gifts

Is your child's birthday coming up?  Ask for a free birthday gift at the AB Resource Center!

Beacon Santa  and Local Community Program for Holiday Gifts

The local Community Services Coordinators (Laura Ducharme for Acton and Wendy Trinks for Boxborough) also coordinate the annual Beacon Santa Program to give help with holiday gifts for children.  Applications are typically due by end of October.      They can also refer you to the community program for holiday gifts (applications typically due by end of November).

Diaper Pantry

First Connections has a diaper pantry .  Contactless pickup on Fridays (after registration) at  179 Great Road, Suite 104A,  Acton.     More info here.  Email  lmatthews@jri.org.

The Acton Food Pantry typically has some supply of diapers and wipes and formula/baby food.   235 Summer Rd # 205, Boxborough.    Reachable with the Acton CAT and the Boxborough MART bus.

The Wish Project provides free diapers, baby wipes, formula, bottles etc. Referral needed from the town  Community Resource Coordinator.   166 Middlesex St, North Chelmsford

AB Exchange at the AB Resource Center

Free clothing, shoes, school supplies and some toys/personal care items for people living, working or worshipping in Acton and Boxborough only.

15 Charter Rd, Acton.  Directions and opening hours here.

Cornerstone Thrift Shop

12 Concord Rd, Acton.   Open select hours during the school year.

The Cornerstone stocks lightly used clothing and shoes for all ages. It also has small housewares, toys, CDs, and books. All of the items have been donated, and all are at low prices.

The Wish Project 

166 Middlesex Street, North Chelmsford.  

If you need diapers/baby wipes, cleaning kids or personal care items, you can come in once a month without an appointment to get those items.

If you need clothing for your family, you will need an appointment for this and can come in four times a year to procure a seasons worth of clothing for your family.

If you need larger items such as furniture, car seats, strollers, household items, etc. you will need a referral from one of our partner agencies.

Bessie's Closet 

Open a few times a year.  It is a free pop-up clothing store open to all members of our community. Supported by donations from the Discovery Museum's community and beyond,  Bessie's Closet offers new or gently-used clothing and shoes for both children and adults. Anyone who may benefit is welcome to visit Bessie's Closet. Museum admission is not required, but not included. All items are available free of charge, take what you need! Items available in Bessie’s Closet are dependent on donations received.

Next one is first weekend of May!

AB Family Network Clothing Swap

AB Family Network organizes a clothing swap twice a year.   This is a FREE and PUBLIC event. Any one can donate and any one can come "shop" the event.   

Next clothing swap : Sunday June 1, 2025

Belle of the Ball

Cleans and distributes prom dresses to high school students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend their school’s prom.  Referral forms must be completed by a guidance counselor, teacher, church leader or social service representative.

Wee Care Burlington

Wee Care Burlington helps children and their families to thrive. They offer support wherever they can such as clothing, shoes, toys, books and more.

Savers is a for-profit large thrift store chain that has 2nd hand small furniture, household goods, small appliances, bed & bath, electronics, clothing, bags and backpacks, games and toys, sporting goods, books and media.  Different locations have different inventory.  Find locations at savers.com (Marlborough, Framingham, Worcester are closest to us).

Women Interviewing and Professional Clothing 

Dress For Success , located in Boston and Worcester, empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life

MetroWest Free Medical Program is a free clinic for Adult Medicine & Women's Health located in Marlborough (new location!) , MA.   Their providers are volunteers in the community, as well as a small team of clinical and administrative staff,  interpreters are available.    Please contact MetroWest Free Medical Program directly to schedule your appointment. 

LASA Foundation - Sai Unity Center, 40 Old Ferry Rd, Lowell.   Free (no insurance required) adult + children medical clinic and health screening (incl dental check up) on specific days  (next : Saturday April 12, 8:30am-2:30pm).  Register here.  They also do onsite MassHealth registration with interpreters.  medicalcamp@lasane.org    978 995 5294 / 617 953 1080

Making Opportunities Count (MOC) reproductive health services for women, men and teens.   Free screenings.  49 Nursery Lane, Suite 201, Fitchburg.   email rhs@mocinc.org .   978 878 3077

Fitchburg Community Health Center provides  Primary Care/Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Dental, Adult & Child Behavioral and Mental Health Services, Psychiatry, Optometry, (including a walk-in, open to the public, Optical Shop), Podiatry, Nutritional Counseling, Lab, Acupuncture, Health Insurance Assistance and Substance Use Disorder Treatment.   326 Nichols Road, Fitchburg.    Urgent care is provided at  ACTION Community Health & Urgent Care Center (130 Water Street, Fitchburg).

Call 978-878-8100, press 3 and then 1 for English or 2 for Spanish/Portuguese OR fill out a “new patient” form online here.

Similar centers are available in Leominster and Gardner.  The locations in  Framingham , Worcester and Milford have a longer wait time for new patients.

MetroWest Free Medical Program is also a free clinic for vision located in Sudbury, MA (Lexington Eye Associates).   Their providers are volunteers in the community, as well as a small team of clinical and administrative staff,  interpreters are available.    Please contact MetroWest Free Medical Program directly to schedule your appointment. 

Planned Parenthood's Metro West Health Center of Marlborough, MA offers affordable healthcare, with or without insurance.  

Local health care and dental clinics List (not all free)

Get free legal aid if you’re eligible (if you're not sure, always apply, they might be able to give you other referrals if you're not eligible): 

Acton till age 60 : Metrowest Legal Services         (508) 620-1830

Boxborough till age 60 : Northeast Legal Aid      (978) 458-1465

Acton and Boxborough over 60 years of age : Greater Boston Legal Services     (617) 371-1234

Note that these organizations do not cover all types of legal aid.

https://masslegalhelp.org has lots of useful information regarding legal aid.

Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder

Some local firms might work at a sliding scale rate (you pay less if you are lower income).

Metrowest Mediation Services is a non-profit who provides mediation services (free or sliding scale) for divorce, housing, family, organizational for Acton residents (Boxborough is not in their area).

Metrowest Worker Center - Casa do Trabalhador - Casa del Trabajador is an immigrant worker-led organization which provides legal help regarding workplace treatment, benefits, compensation, work injuries.   They also connect with legal aid consultants for immigration related matters,  give information around tenants' rights, help with applications and information on MassHealth Insurance program(s) and Driver's licenses/ ID's.

HealthLawAdvocates provide legal help to immigrants and non-citizens facing access barriers to medical services or insurance coverage, and access to health care for gender-diverse and transgender people. eg challenging denials, illegal medical billing/collection,  unaffordable medical bills...

More information and links from the state of Massachusetts can be found here

Free IRS / State Tax Filing

IRS Free File lets qualified taxpayers prepare and file federal income tax and in many cases state tax returns online using guided tax preparation software. It’s safe, easy and no cost to you. Those who don’t qualify can still use Free File Fillable Forms.   Find out more here.

AARP Tax Help

The Acton Council on Aging works with AARP to offer free tax preparation at the Acton senior center by appointment only.     Priority is given to Acton and Boxborough seniors.  See the newsletter at actoncoa.com.  Find more info on tax saving tips  and the  "senior circuit breaker law" here. 

Both the Acton Memorial Library and Boxborough Sargent library have 1040 forms and instructions available, as well as state tax form booklets.  

 AARP Volunteers don't come to the Acton nor Boxborough library anymore to help with tax preparation for all, but you can still call the regional AARP helpline: 978-760-9146 for free tax help.  More information here. 

VITA Program at SMOC

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at SMOC offers free basic income tax return preparation and electronic filing.  SMOC's IRS-certified tax volunteers are trained to access the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits to assist eligible households.  Find more information here.

Tax Filing Tools for Low-Income Residents

Many low-income families who aren’t required to file taxes, could receive thousands of dollars thanks to tax credits if they would file with free, easy-to-use filing tools.   Find out more here.

Boxborough FreeBee Network and Market

The Boxborough FreeBee Market started in 2021 by sharing food to prevent waste on Saturdays (not in winter) on an approximately weekly schedule, and keep expanding into sharing plants, books, arts and craft supplies, and other seasonal things, all for free.  Check out the website for the next dates and items.

Free Food

See the tab "Food Security" for resources for free food

Free or Affordable Transportation

See the tab "Transportation" for resources for a free or affordable bus (fixed route and point to point) and taxi

Free Holiday Decoration

The Acton Council on Aging organizes a holiday decor swap every year early December where you can get holiday decor items for free.   30 Sudbury Rd Rear, Acton.  Call 978 929 6652 for more information.

Musea and Cultural Visits

• People who have an EBT card get free or discounted admission to many musea and cultural institutions in Massachusetts, including $1 for the Acton Discovery Museum, $2 for the Concord Museum, Drumlin Farm free, deCordova Museum free,  $10 Open Door Theater and many more.   See this list.

• Both the Acton and the Boxborough libraries offer museum passes for specific dates that are free or discounted, available to anybody with a library card (any Massachusetts resident can get a free library card to any library in Massachusetts).

• Many musea are always free or free on certain dates for everybody.  see eg this article.

In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Students

In-State Tuition and Financial Support Guide for Students and Parents in Massachusetts

Undocumented students in Massachusetts are now able to receive in-state tuition and financial support to afford higher education. This guide is meant to help ensure a successful application process.    Also available in Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.

Driver’s Licenses for All MA Residents

If planning to apply, we recommend: Translating necessary documents, Obtaining updated passport

or consular IDs (if safe to do so),  Paying any parking tickets

Dedicated RMV Multilingual Phone Line:   857-368-9362.  MIRA RMV Webpage

Free Smoke and CO Alarm Replacement

The American Red Cross of Massachusetts offers free installation of up to 3 battery powered smoke alarms (not hardwired) and 1 CO detector in your home.  Check here or call 1-800-746-3511 for information or an appointment - translators available.

For seniors, the Acton and Boxborough fire departments offer the same service.  Contact the Council on Aging for more information.