FAMILY RESOURCES

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a network of local crisis centers that are available 24/7 to provide support for youth and adults who are in any kind of emotional crisis. In addition to the main hotline number listed above, anyone can also use their online chat feature on their website.

A Voice For The Innocent

Text HOME to 741741

Whether you are feeling anxious, depressed or suicidal, dealing with the urge to self-harm, or are experiencing any other feelings and need help moving from a hot moment to a cool calm: you are not alone. Crisis Text Line is there for you. Crisis Text Line provides free support at your fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Parents Helping Parents

1-800-632-8188

All Languages Available

Parents or guardians with problems relating to their children do not hesitate to call them. Trained volunteer counselors offer a way to relieve stress in an environment which is non-judgmental along with being sympathetic. We offer support to anyone seeking it no matter how big or small. We offer a translation service so if you, or someone you know, needs a translator please don't hesitate to call!

National Runaway Safe-Line:

1-800-786-2929

The National Runaway Safeline helps youth who have run away, are thinking about running away, or who already ran away but are ready to come home. Parents and guardians can also contact the hotline if they are worried about their child running away or if their child has already left home. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Youth, parents, and guardians can also use the online chat feature on the Runaway Safeline's website to ask for help and get support, or can send a text to 66008.

Boston Emergency Services Team

1-800-981-4357

Boston Emergency Services team (B.E.S.T.), under the leadership of Boston Medical Center and with the support of the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, provides a comprehensive, highly integrated system of crisis evaluation and treatment services to the greater Boston area; to children, adolescents, adults, including the elderly, the homeless, mentally ill and the multi-cultural populations within the Boston, Brookline, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop communities. Mass Health insurance accepted! If you or someone in your family is in crisis, please call 1-800-981-4357 for guidance.

RENT SUPPORT

For more information and resources please visit their website HERE

Unafraid Educators Relief Fund For Students and Families

All requests will be placed in a random drawing every one to two weeks. They will use the funds we raise during each cycle to purchase gift cards. All BPS families in need, regardless of immigration status, are encouraged to apply. If you do not receive funds in the first cycle, they will continue to enter your name into next random drawings.

They will order $150 Visa gift cards that will be sent directly to your house. They will notify you when the card is ordered. Gift cards are not taxed and do not require a social security number. Your name will be on the card and it can be replaced if lost or stolen.

Please only apply once per household. Make sure to carefully answer every question or we will not be able to order the card.

FOR MARKET-RATE RENTERS WHO CANNOT PAY

For individuals and families at risk of being displaced or forced to leave their homes due to COVID-19 employment loss, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and Emergency Rent and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA), may be the solution.

These programs provide eligible households up to $4,000 that can be used to help keep their housing, obtain new housing, pay their mortgage, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless regardless of source of income, lack of income, citizenship, or immigration status.

Begin the process by clicking below to start an application. These applications are submitted and processed completely electronically. If you have other questions or need further guidance, visit the Eviction Prevention page or contact the Housing Hub at ResourceLine@MetroHousingBoston.org.

BEGIN APPLICATION PROCESS

BEGIN APPLICATION PROCESS IN OTHER LANGUAGES

EVICTIONS RESOURCES

HOUSING RESOURCES

Shelter: Families can continue to apply for Emergency Assistance Family Shelter through the state of MA by calling 1-866-584-0653. Click here for more information.

Shelter-Directory.pdf

BPHC Housing and Food Resources.pdf

Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), TAFDC, EAEDC, and SNAP/EBT

If you are in Boston and have questions about cash benefits (TAFDC), SNAP, or child care, you can call Boston Legal Aid’s Welfare Law Unit at (617) 603-1806. Make sure to leave a voicemail with your name and number or you will not get a call back.

Families applying for cash assistance (TAFDC or EAEDC) should call their local DTA office to start an application. Find your local DTA office here.
DTA local offices have been closed to in-person visits until further notice. You can still call the DTA Assistance Line at (877) 382-2363, visit DTAConnect.com, and download the DTA Connect mobile app.
DTA requires applicants to provide the “best available proof” for verifications during application for all benefits. DTA recognizes that some documents might not be available at this time. A self-declaration letter might be the best available document to provide and is acceptable.
DTA is stopping all negative cash assistance case actions (for TAFDC and EAEDC only) during the COVID-19 crisis. This means that, prospectively, no one should be terminated or reduced for any reason - including sanctions, failure to verify information, reaching the time limit, etc.
SNAP recipients who are due to re-certify will have their benefits extended for 6 months. No one receiving benefits will lose their benefits during this time.
New SNAP recipients will receive their EBT card by mail only and it may take 5-10 days to receive your new card. People experiencing homelessness can use a shelter address to receive their card.
The SNAP work requirement rule for adults without dependents has been suspended.
Reminder: households can give permission to friends, family, or other trusted people to use their EBT card on their behalf, with no need for formal documentation or written paperwork. This may be helpful for seniors, persons with disabilities, and other populations who are particularly vulnerable and at risk from COVID-19, and who may need to ask others to go shopping on their behalf.
Click here for more information.

CITY WIDE RESOURCES

Resources for Families: March 2020

Mass 211 Brochure.pdf

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