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Rental and mortgage assistance:

You can apply for help with rent or mortgage payments through 11 regional agencies that work with the state program RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition), including Wayfinders in Springfield, Metro Housing Boston, and Community Teamwork, Inc in Lowell.

Each household will be eligible to apply for up to $4,000.

For more information, please visit: https://www.metrohousingboston.org/

Direct Financial Support

Stimulus Payments:

• Qualifying adults will receive $1,200 from the government, plus $500 for each child under 16, to help weather this crisis. Stimulus Payment Calculator

• For most, no action is needed to receive this payment. The IRS will use the information from your tax return (2019 or 2018), disability, or SSI payment to deposit the stimulus cash directly into your bank account.

• Keep an eye on the IRS Website for additional information, including status of your payment. If you are not required to file 2019 federal taxes (those with a gross income <$12,200), you should submit the Payment Information for Non-Filers form. (Only provide this information through a secure online IRS portal. The IRS will NOT call you for bank information.)

• The Stimulus Payment will not affect or reduce your SSI, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Section 8, or any other federal benefit program based on income for twelve months after you receive the payment. If you have not spent the money after a year, it may be considered against your "asset" limit.

• Budget Buddies recommends utilizing stimulus checks for paying bills, paying off debt, saving, establishing or adding to an emergency fund.

EMERGENCY FUNDS:

• United Way COVID-19 Family Support Funds - Grants will be made to help families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis meet their basic food, childcare or housing needs. In collaboration with the Department of Public Health, United Way’s Mass 2-1-1 statewide consumer hotline will provide consumer help during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Individuals can dial 2-1-1 for comprehensive information and referrals related to the virus, including information on where they can access flexible funds through the COVID-19 Family Support Fund.

• If you don’t qualify for state or federal benefits you may qualify for one-time financial support through the One Lawrence Fund of up to $300 in gift cards. To request assistance from the One Lawrence Fund, Lawrence residents can call 978-620-4717, or submit an online request form.

• Modest Needs Grants - Modest Needs offers grants designed to promote the self-sufficiency of individuals and families who, because they are working and live just above the poverty level, are ineligible for most types of conventional social assistance but who, all the same, are living one or two lost paychecks away from the kind of financial catastrophe that eventually leads to homelessness. Depends on application, average grant is between $750.00 and $1,250.00. Not cash grants so can’t cover expenses like groceries but can be for most bills or rent for example. Register with the organization, fill out application online (need bank statement or tax form). Set aside 45 minutes to complete.

• Red Sox Foundation Emergency Hardship Fund - $250 grocery gift card. Temporarily on hold due to many applications; check back for re-opening,

• COVID-19 College Student Emergency Relief Mini Grants - The Leadership Brainery is offering racially/ethnically diverse, first-generation, or LGBTQ+ undergraduate students from the Greater Boston Area who have been displaced by COVID-19 a one-time $100 mini grant. Eligible students can apply through the website.

For Small Businesses:

• Axuda - interest free personal loans up to $600. "Axuda is a non-profit organization working to provide small, short-term interest free loans to working individuals and families that need a helping-hand. Axuda provides a forum for Borrowers to tell their stories and have their loan request crowdlended by several Axuda Lenders. Once an Axuda loan is repaid, the funds are used again to lend to other Axuda Borrowers." If you are interested in applying, please contact info@budgetbuddies.org or jjordan@budgetbuddies.org for additional information.

• The Empowerment Grant for Small Businesses - To support the needs of Massachusetts small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Program - Lowell. For eligibility, application, and more information, visit the link above. For assistance in Spanish, contact: 978-654-5673.

• LISC Small Business Relief Grants (Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, May 20^th at 11:59 p.m. ET.) | Para leer esta información en español, haga click aquí.

For Undocumented Workers:

• MassUndocuFund - assists individuals and families who have lost their wages and/or employment due to the pandemic. Link to application form, then an intake coordinator will call to complete intake form.

• Movimiento Cosecha - "Nuestro comité nacional de inmigrantes está trabajando para recaudar más fondos y poder abrir solicitudes de nuevo tan pronto como possible. Llenar el formulario y estaremos en contacto cuando volvemos a abrir las solicitudes."

• Pioneer Valley Undocumented Worker Solidarity Fund - Local fund for undocumented workers in all sectors in Western Massachusetts

• Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation Fund for Undocumented Families - National Foundation for scholarships for undocumented students created new emergency fund for undocumented families during C-19.

For Restaurant & Industry Workers:

• Restaurant Strong Fund: The Greg Hill Foundation has teamed up with Samuel Adams* to support those from the Massachusetts restaurant industry who have been impacted by the Covid-19 closures. Grants to full-time restaurant workers in Massachusetts who are dependent on wages plus tips to cover basic living expenses and provide for their families. Their goal is to provide $1,000 grants to as many qualifying grantees as possible.

• One Fair Wage - Emergency Coronavirus and Tipped and Service Worker Support Fund. Providing cash assistance to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and others. See also these Relief Funds for Restaurant Workers resources.

• Greater Boston Service Industry Workers Seeking Emergency Funds - [Currently only a wait-list is available.] Crowd-funded support for those in the service industry impacted by lay-offs.

• National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) Coronavirus Care Fund - Provides $400 in emergency assistance for qualifying home care workers, nannies and house cleaners who are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. Currently must be dues-paying NDWA member, will open to additional domestic workers as funds allow. Text RELIEF to 97779 to get updates from NDWA, and find out when the Coronavirus Care Fund applications are ready.

• Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) Relief Fund - providing resources and financial assistance to restaurant workers impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

• United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) National Charity Foundation Emergency Fund - National fund for bartenders and family experiencing hardship run by the foundation of the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG).

• Camberville Hospitality Relief Request - GoFundMe for Cambridge and Somerville service industry workers.

For Boston Residents:

• The Rental Relief Fund will help income-eligible tenants in the City of Boston who: (a) do not have access to expanded unemployment benefits, or (b) because of the nature of their jobs, the unemployment benefits they will receive represent a significant reduction in their actual income.

• Boston Artist Relief Fund - Grants of $500 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by Coronavirus.

• Boston Music Maker Relief Fund - Relief to Boston area music makers experiencing lost income as the result of performance cancellations related to COVID-19 - Must apply by April 30th.

For Lowell Residents:

• Resources Available to the Lowell Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Other Local Funds:

• Cambridge Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund - Applicants must prove Cambridge residency, income eligibility, and loss of income but there are multiple ways to prove this so that immigration status does not necessarily have to be a barrier.

• Cambridge Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Fund - Cambridge residents, nonprofits, and small businesses experiencing financial crisis may apply for a one-time grant ranging from $200 to $1,000. One grant is allowed per household.

• The One Chelsea Fund - Local fund for Chelsea residents, should be able to apply regardless of immigration status, $250 per family.

• Essex County Artist Fund - $400 grants for artists living in Essex County

• The One Haverhill Fund - Will mobilize resources for emergency assistance and expanded food distribution, with a focus on those who are most economically vulnerable during the pandemic. No application process as of 4/24, but keep an eye on this link for more information.

Employment Resources

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (MA)

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a COVID-19-related reason but are not eligible for regular or extended unemployment benefits. Apply here.

Unemployment:

• Massachusetts Unemployment

The fastest way to file a claim is to "apply for unemployment benefits online," according to a state website. People with special needs, disabilities, or language difficulties can enter their information here and be placed in a queue to receive a call from the department of unemployment assistance. If you need assistance, please fill out a Contact Request form here.

• Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Returning to Work: Guide for Workers

• Información de desempleo de Massachusetts sobre el virus COVID-19

• MA Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Virtual Town Halls -- MA DUA is hosting virtual town halls to go through the step by step process of filing a successful unemployment claim. Follow @MassLWD on Twitter for latest information for employees and employers affected by the COVID-19 Crisis, including a guide for unemployment resources. ‪

• New Hampshire Unemployment

Contact information specific to your need is available here. Please be alert to, and aware of, scams.

Find NH Insurance related information here.

Job Opportunities:

• Amazon is hiring 100,000 new positions across the US "to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon’s service during this stressful time" including roles in both MA and NH

• North Suffolk Mental Health Association is hiring

• Information about companies currently hiring & related resources

Other companies that have said they are hiring nationally: CVS Pharmacy, Domino’s Pizza, Walmart (List not all inclusive)

Managing Credit & Debt

• Dealing with debt: Tips to help ease the impact [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]

• Protecting your credit during the coronavirus pandemic [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]

• Tips for managing bills [Boston Globe]

• Credit Reports:

To help you protect your financial health during the sudden and unprecedented hardship caused by COVID-19, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax will offer all U.S. consumers free weekly credit reports through April 20, 2021 through AnnualCreditReport.com.

• Student loans:

With the CARES ACT, there is an automatic payment suspension for student loans held by the federal government until September 30, 2020. Qualified loans include those that are less than 10 years old.

For those with federal student loans, it was announced that you can suspend payments for at least two months (without incurring interest or penalties) with very minimal effort. You just contact the loan service online or via phone to enroll. Even if your loan repayment is delinquent, you will still get suspended payments. The federal government has also announced that it will be waiving interest specifically for federally-held student loans during this time. Learn more here.

• Mortgage payments:

U.S. Orders Up To A Yearlong Break On Mortgage Payments - Homeowners who have lost income or their jobs because of the coronavirus outbreak are getting some relief. Depending on their situation, they should be eligible to have their mortgage payments reduced or suspended for up to 12 months.

Tax Information

• The IRS has moved the national income tax filing day to July 15, three months after the normal deadline for Americans to send in their federal returns due to the COVID-19 emergency.

• The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days.

• Massachusetts has extended its state tax deadlines. Personal income tax returns and payments due April 15, 2020 will now be due July 15, 2020. As of 3/30, New Hampshire has not extended its tax deadlines.

Credit Cards

• "Here's a roundup of how other major US credit card issuers are offering assistance to their customers. If you're not in a position to pay off your credit card balances and you don't see any options for your issuer listed here, call the number on the back of your card and explain your situation. Your bank may be willing to come up with a solution such as a payment plan tailored to your specific situation." Please verify information directly with your credit card company or bank for accuracy, as information reported may rapidly change.

• As voiced on our Virtual Coaches Forum, folks have reportedly experienced a sudden/unexpected lowering of credit balance limits - be alert to communications from your credit card company.

Legal Support (Guardianship, Housing, etc.)

• Multilingual legal and community resources: Lawyers for Civil Rights and MIRA Coalition

• Are you in need of legal services? Click here to fill out the Women's Bar Foundation's online intake form and request a pro bono attorney. Women's Bar Foundation Phone number: 617-973-6666

• Mass Legal Help

• Northeast Legal Aid & Northeast Justice Center of Massachusetts is offering free assistance with unemployment applications to low income individuals.

  • To apply for assistance, call 978-458-1465, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or apply online. Visit https://www.northeastlegalaid.org/request-legal-services to request legal services 24 hours a day.

  • Para solicitar asistencia, llámenos de lunes a viernes de 9:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m. al 978-458-1465 o solicite en línea en cualquier momento enlace aquí.

  • COVID-19 Housing Resource Information

• Temporary Guardianship Affidavit Form.

• Regarding Housing Stability Legislation (H4647)

For tenants, the bill will temporarily halt all stages of eviction, specifically:

• • • Stop landlords from sending notices of eviction and filing new eviction cases;

    • Stop courts from scheduling non-emergency hearings, entering judgments, and issuing eviction executions;

    • Stop sheriffs from levying on executions to remove tenants

    • Temporarily halt most eviction cases, with limited exceptions for true emergencies involving conditions or conduct endangering the health and safety of others

    • It will also prevent late fees and negative credit reporting for tenants affected by COVID-19.

For homeowners, the bill will temporarily:

• Stop residential foreclosures of owner-occupied 1-4 family housing from going forward;

• Require lenders to offer a mortgage forbearance for homeowners affected by COVID-19, with payments added to the end of the loan;

• Prevent negative credit reporting for homeowners in forbearance;

• Give landlords access to tenants' last month's rent to cover expenses

The moratorium also pauses evictions on small businesses, and makes it easier to access reverse mortgages. The moratorium will remain in effect for either 120 days or 45 days following the end of the state of emergency, and can be extended at the Governor's discretion to ensure it does not end before the end of the state of emergency plus a reasonable time period.

• Community Teamwork Inc's (CTI)'s Housing Consumer Education Center. CTI has set up an emergency hotline (978) 654-5607, or email: CovidResponseCTI@commteam.org) for housing and emergency needs. For more emergency response and shared resources, please visit https://www.commteam.org/

• Mass Department of Housing & Community Development has compiled housing resources, available by town. Visit the list here: https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/

• Department of Transitional Assistance

  • Lowell Office (978) 446-2400)

Accessibility Resources

Internet:

• Comcast offers low-income individuals nation-wide two months of free internet via their Internet Essentials program, with XFinity Wifi networks free for public use, and no disconnects or late fees for existing customers.

• Charter-Spectrum offers free access for 60 days to broadband and WiFi services to households with students (K- college) who do not already have services. To enroll: call 1-844-488-8395 (installation fees for student households waived).

• Free & Low Cost Internet Plans: a comprehensive list compiled by National Digital Inclusion Alliance

• A growing number of companies have pledged to “Keep Americans Connected” :

1. Not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic;

2. Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic;

3. Open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.

• Go To Meeting Emergency Remote Work Kits

Devices:

• Boston Public School students can request a Chromebook for home learning here.

• Chelmsford Public School families should reach out to their children's principal.

Please find a collection of tech related resources here, from Tech Goes Home.

Health & Nutrition Resources

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)

P-EBT provides food supports to help families with children who were receiving free and reduced-price school meals pay for food. More information available here.

Massachusetts Legal Services SNAP & Cash Benefits Guide

From the Nashua Division of Public Health & Community Services: Do you have any health-related questions regarding COVID-19? Call us at 603-589-3456! We are available to answer your questions 7 days a week from 8am-9pm. For more information, visit our website at www.nashuanh.gov/COVID19

South Bay Community Services is able to offer Early Intervention services virtually via telehealth video or phone for families with children under the age of 3. Request services here.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health: Information about the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program here. Check here to determine eligibility. Apply online here.

New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services: check here to determine eligibility for DHHS services. Information about Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program here.

CVS and Walgreens are currently offering free delivery of prescription medications.

FamilyWize's prescription discount card is accepted at pharmacies nationwide, including major chains and independents. Sign up for your free prescription discount card (this is not insurance) here.

Meals for school-aged kids:

• Map of Meal Sites for Children & Youth in Boston

• List of schools offering meals throughout Massachusetts and how to access them

YMCA of Greater Boston - Branches remain open to provide food and emergency child care. MA Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) childcare emergency information & support here.

Greater Boston Food Bank - Are you seeking food for yourself, your family, a neighbor, coworker or friend? Use The Greater Boston Food Bank's Partner Agency Locator at the above link to find help in your community (enter your zip code/city at the above link).

PROJECT BREAD - Call 1-800-645-8333 for the Massachusetts hunger hotline. Will also help with filling out SNAP applications.

Health Insurance

• MassHealth - an extended enrollment period is available through April 25, 2020 for qualified Massachusetts residents who are uninsured.If your coverage extends through at least March 18, 2020, your coverage is protected and will not be terminated during the COVID-19 outbreak national emergency and for one month after the emergency period ends. MassHealth will not end coverage for any member or any person who is approved for coverage during the COVID-19. You do not need to send in any additional paperwork to keep your coverage. If you have questions about your coverage, contact our Customer Service Center at (800) 841-2900 TTY: (800) 497-4648.

• COBRA - federal law that allows you to temporarily keep your health coverage. Eligibility: In the case that your employment ends, you lose coverage as a dependent of the covered employee, or another qualified event. You pay 100% of the premiums, including the share the employer used to pay plus a small administrative fee.

Self-Care

• Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook: A Tool to Help Build Resilience During Difficult Times

• It’s okay to not be okay right now [Psychology Today]

• Taking care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty [ASPS]

• Coping with stress during COVID-19 [World Health Organization]

General Information/Resources

Resources for the immigrant community.

This map shows the location of resources available to the public during COVID-19 pandemic, such as food banks, houses of worship and Project Bread site locations.

Community Resources/Latest Updates from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and local Boston-area information on the response.

Emergency Childcare - For health care and other essential workers.

Tips for financial caregivers during the Coronavirus pandemic [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]

Watch out for Coronavirus Scammers {Federal Trade Commission}

State of New Hampshire's Banking Department's FAQ on Mortgage Foreclosures

Information about auto insurance relief.

Extensive F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Bill via the New York Times

The New York Time offers a "Hub for Help" with general information about government benefits, free services, and financial strategies.

Do you know of a resource that should be posted here? Email Jess at jjordan@budgetbuddies.org or info@budgetbuddies.org.