Norfolk County assistance program.

Help with paying bills

Self Help Inc. is a community action agency that offers programs and resources to local families. They serve 31 cities and towns across Southeastern Massachusetts. They have opportunities for all residents to obtain rent help, health services, housing, employment, heating bills, financial stability, and education services. They offer several programs, including those below:

Self Help Community Outreach Program

Assists people with meeting basic needs by providing them counseling, assessment, advocacy, information, direct service, and referral. All of this is offered to residents of the Self Help service area. If they do not have programs they can offer, they will refer clients to other programs, including a network of community agencies and providers offering services and resources for the person’s specific crisis needs.

They will help people apply for assistance with programs such as Food Stamps, Fuel Assistance, TAFDC, WIC, Heating Bills, and Weatherization. People can get direct services and grants that provide them with immediate assistance necessary to alleviate the family's crisis situation and stabilize their lives. Some of the resources include.

• Health Providers and Free Health Care
• Food Pantries
• Utilities/FEMA Assistance/Heating Bills. Read about the Oil Heat program.
• Homeless Shelters
• Employment and Training Programs
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Rent Assistance
• Housing Programs
• Child Care/Voucher Care
• LHEAP and Weatherization

Contact Self Help at 508-226-4192.

 

 

 

Fuel Assistance

Self Help Inc. Fuel Assistance program runs annually from November 1st through April 30th. It provides assistance in paying for heating bills to over 10,000 households annually in the Self Help service area.

Energy Conservation and Weatherization Programs

This includes a wide array of service and resources. These program receive funding from both government as well as utility company sources, and Self Help then administers these programs for homeowners in the area.

 

Get help with bills in Westwood

Non-profit organizations like the Westwood Community Chest have increased the amount of assistance they provide and are trying to keep up with the increased demand. There has been an increase in the number of applications received since the economic downturn began.

The organization was founded in 1999. The Westwood Community Chest is a non-profit, private group that provides financial and emergency assistance to families and individuals who can’t afford to pay for the most basic essentials, such as their monthly rent, utility bill payments, medical bills and heating costs.

Through the “Campership” program it offers, the Community Chest also provides financial and and scholarships to local children whose parents can’t bear the expense of summer camp fees or other education costs. Under the program, eligible children can receive up to $500 in assistance.

The Community Chest program exists solely from the generosity of fellow Westwood residents, as it strictly relies on donations from the community. And the community keeps giving, even in the weak economy. The community has continued to be very generous, and this allows the amount of aid provided to struggling families to remain high.

If someone applies and they enter into the program, struggling families can receive up to $500 in assistance each year. However, those families or individuals experiencing “extraordinary and extenuating circumstances” may be eligible for additional funding above the $500.

If someone need help, wants to learn more, or apply, they can contact the Westwood Community Chest at P.O. Box 250, Westwood, MA 02090 or dial 781.326.3217.

Also note that applications can be found in virtually every public building in Westwood, such as the fire station, post office, police department, the senior center, and town hall – and all submissions are confidential and kept private.

 

 

Food and clothes

Contact Natick Massachusetts based A Place To Turn at 508-655-8868. The charity agency provides emergency, free food and new or gently used clothing to low income and other struggling individuals in the community.

The Ecumenical Community Food Pantry of Norwood provides food to about 250 families each and every week. 781-762-7187

Dedham Food Pantry ((781) 230 - 9442) provides up to 3 bags of food once per week.

Interfaith Social Services provides emergency food to residents of BRAINTREE, COHASSET, HINGHAM, HOLBROOK, HULL, MILTON, QUINCY, RANDOLPH, SCITUATE, and WEYMOUTH. Phone 617) 773 - 6203.

Learn more on other local free food banks and distribution centers in the Boston area. If you need even more options or assistance, then locate more Norfolk County food pantries.

Rental assistance programs

MetroWest Outreach Connection (508-481-2423) is determined to prevent homelessness. They do this a couple different ways. They administer the Homeless Prevention Program, which provides financial assistance for paying rent. They also help people who are currently homeless find permanent housing. Click here to read more on rent programs.

In addition to MetroWest, find information and phone numbers for a number of other rent assistance programs in Norfolk Massachusetts.

Help with bills and access emergency/crisis programs

WHEAT Community Services, Inc. is a non-profit that serves Norfolk County area people that may be low-to-moderate income. It provides these residents and community members who need help with aid. Find information and gain access to free food, clothing, referrals, transportation, and assistance getting back on their feet. From time to time financial assistance for paying bills may be available. Other services offered include Fuel Assistance, Legal Aid, Community Outreach, and Holiday Programs. Call 978-365-6349.

The Salvation Army/Framingham Corps, (508) 875-3341, provides numerous programs. They run a food pantry, offer a thrift store, and may have limited funds for paying rent or utility bills.

Another local, non-profit community action agency is the Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc. They offer numerous resources and assistance programs to low income individuals, including Mortgage Payment Assistance, Food Pantries, Energy Conservation Improvements, Tax Preparation Assistance, Housing Counseling, Rent Help, Housing Search and Information, LIHEAP, Electric Bill Payment Assistance, Heating Fuel Bill Payment Assistance, Personal Finances/Budget Counseling, Debt Reduction, Landlord/Tenant Assistance, Head Start, GED Instruction, English as a Second Language, Computer Training and Classes. Dial (617) 479 - 8181

Plymouth Massachusetts based South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.(phone (508) 747 - 7575) helps low to moderate income families and individuals in the area. They offer qualified individuals Rent Payment Assistance, Mortgage Foreclosure Assistance, Housing Counseling, GED Instruction, Community Action Agencies and Specialized Information and Referral, and Case/Care Management.

Henry Martin Fund/Swift Charity – This non-profit covers the Milton Massachusetts area only. Grants are provided for the needy. Swift Charity is able to help needy and deserving women and children. Services offered by the non-profit include rent payment assistance, electric and heating bill payment assistance and gas bill payment assistance. First Parish Unitarian, 535 Canton Avenue, Milton, Massachusetts 02186, phone (617) 696 - 1214

Quincy branch of Salvation Army – Several main programs are offered, including EFSP/FEMA mortgage, rent, electric and gas bill payment assistance. They also run the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund for paying heating and electric bills. In addition, the Quincy Salvation Army provides services that include free food and grocery pantries, information on government assistance such as food stamps, Christmas baskets and gifts, Thanksgiving meals and holiday gifts/toys. 6 Baxter Street, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169, (617) 472-2345

Free legal advice from non-profit attorneys

Two different non-profit law firms to call for free civil legal advice include Metrowest Legal Services, Inc 508-620-1830 and also Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts, Inc. (LACCM) (phone 508-752-3718). Read more on Massachusetts legal aid.