Assistance programs in Hampden County and Springfield Massachusetts.
Dozens of charities and non-profits provide financial help in Hampden County. The organizations will offer support for housing needs, including funds for paying rental expenses, energy or heating bills. There is also free health care from clinics, including prescription drugs. Other agencies in Springfield provide free food, clothes, and debt reduction services among other assistance programs.
The main assistance programs are noted below as well as information on how to apply. There may also be free winter clothes from churches or school supplies for students. Or learn about free government job placement programs or training along with get help paying for gasoline or car repairs for work. Hampden County agencies may also offer cash grants for bills, low interest loans, home buying programs, and other social services.
Locate resources and programs to help with bills and expenses
If you are struggling or if are considered low to moderate income, Springfield Partners for Community Action, Inc, which is located at 619 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109, phone (413) 263-6500 is the local community action agency that offers programs and resources to help. Some of the programs they offer are below, but they also offer others.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Springfield Partners for Community Action offers residents this free program. They have been helping low to middle income Hampden county and Springfield families save money on their utilities. Weatherization assistance programs provides energy assistance and home insulation to low-income and elderly renters throughout Hampden County.
In most years, over 1,000 families and homes have weatherization services or upgrades completed on their home, which resulted in lower utility as well as heating bills for those families. These services will lower the average annual energy bill by about $250 per home. Some Hampden County households save even more money. In addition, the organization works closely with all the local utilities and gas companies to provide various weatherization services to low-income families.
As just one example, Bay State Gas has their own, separate program that helps with both heating and insulation needs to low-income families that is referred to as their Partners in Energy Program, and this can also help people save money. Many other energy providers offer similar services. Or clients can be referred to free state of Massachusetts weatherization and LIHEAP programs.
Eviction Prevention and Clinic
A partnership between Western Mass Legal Services, Massachusetts Justice Project, and Housing Court was formed to provide people with counseling and referrals to programs. Clinics are held weekly. The goal is to educate as well as inform tenants who are facing eviction of their responsibilities and rights and to prepare them for housing court hearings.
They can also refer people to programs that can help them access grants that can provide them with short term rent help. The goal of the clinic and eviction prevention services is to ensure tenants know, understand and excise their housing rights and obligations.
Credit and Debt Counseling
They provide local residents with assistance in improving their credit scores, eliminating their debt, establishing credit or other support services.. Their Credit Counselors work closely with clients to ensure confidentiality but also facilitates workshops on budgeting, financial literacy, saving money, and debt counseling.
Employment Programs
Community Action helps Hampden County residents either (1) find a job, (2) get the supplies they need such as a laptop or (3) gain a new skills. A number of companies in the central and Eastern MA area partner with community action. There are also government job training centers in Springfield which can be a resource. More on free government job placement or training.
Applying for help from Community Action - Several other programs are offered by Springfield Partners for Community Action. They include job fairs, mediation for tenants facing an eviction, applications to federal government resources including Medicaid or food stamps, and of course referrals to other Hampden County non-profit agencies. Click here Springfield Partners for Community Action assistance programs.
Find rent and housing assistance
The city of Springfield has two local agencies and charity organizations that generally receive funds from the federal government each year as part of homeless prevention and rehousing. The money will be used to help prevent evictions, homelessness, provide rent and utility bill support as well. The government funds will have an overall goal of concentrating on homeless prevention efforts and the rapid rehousing of families who may have lost their homes. More on rapid rehousing and homeless prevention in Hampden County.
The groups that will be receiving the money and that will be distributing the financial aid include HAP, Inc. ((413) 233-1500). Another agency that will be providing assistance is Springfield Catholic Charities ((413) 452-0605), which is receiving funds each and every year. Contact Catholic Charities for more information or to apply. Note that they have various programs and services that assist the poor and needy in addition to this rent assistance.
The assistance will be provided in various forms, and will range from direct grants to pay for rent, assessment and counseling to rapid rehousing through aid such as utility bill help. In some cases, Hampen County residents will get rental subsidies, and also money for security deposits. Read more on homeless prevention and rapid rehousing from federal government.
Non-profits that offer emergency rent or security deposit help - If the Catholic Charities or HAP can’t help you, also feel free to call other local agencies. They may issue a loan or other financial help for a back rent payment or a deposit for a new home or apartment. Locate a more extensive list on Springfield Massachusetts rent assistance programs and organizations.
Help to avoid foreclosure
There are programs and agencies that are providing foreclosure assistance to Springfield Massachusetts families. Funds are available from the Homesaver Rescue Fund to homeowners who are in danger of losing their home to foreclosure. HAPHousing is another local agency that provides of variety of assistance programs. In addition, read about the state of Massachusetts foreclosure assistance programs.
HAPHousing ((413) 233-1500), is a local non-profit agency that is based in Springfield, and they have been offering loans of up to $5,000 for qualified borrowers and homeowners may lose their home. According to the agency, with foreclosures climbing, they've seen an increase in demand for help and they are doing their best to meet that demand.
The agency has housing counselors that will work directly with the borrower in foreclosure prevention tactics, and the counselors are well trained to set up an immediate plan of action for the homeowner. Housing counselors will arm an applicant with financial tools, information on programs, education and support that will assist the homeowner in overcoming immediate financial issues and hopefully save their home.
In addition, those looking for foreclosure and mortgage help can contact the Western Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Hotline at (413) 233-1622.
Legal assistance in Hampden, including foreclosure help
The Hampden County Bar Association, which is located in Springfield MA ((413) 733 - 6500) provides free legal help and representation to families as well as individuals with consumer protections matters. Lawyers also offer free debt reduction, tenant or housing matters and individuals facing foreclosure. In addition, they provide free foreclosure counseling. Read more on Massachusetts legal aid.
Financial assistance for rent, bills, prescriptions, and other aid
Catholic Charities - Springfield, which can be reached at (413) 452 - 0605, provides, among other things, rent payment and housing assistance, diapers, prescription medication expense assistance, comprehensive information and referral on government programs (federal and Massachusetts) and they may be able to provide other forms of assistance. A location is also located in Worcester.
Another agency to contact is EFSP Salvation Army - Hampden County and Holyoke. This non-profit agency provides limited mortgage payment assistance, free congregate meals, groceries, nutrition sites, access to food pantries and soup kitchens. In some cases the Faith Based Charity also offers rent payment assistance, electric and heating bill payment help and gas bill payment assistance. They may also from time to time have limited funding for other expenses. (413) 532 - 6312
The Salvation Army also operates several other centers around Hampden County Massachusetts. Emergency financial aid is available, but limited. Social services are offered, and are more wide ranging. In addition to the programs indicated above, many locations also offer homeless prevention and free Christmas assistance including toys or food boxes. They also give out free school backpacks, clothes, uniforms, and supplies to children. Read more on the services offered by the Springfield Massachusetts Salvation Army.
Another community action agency for Hampden County is the Holyoke based VOC - Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. They can help low to moderate income families, the working poor, unemployed, and others. Services offered by the non-profit include: Mortgage Foreclosure Assistance, Food Pantries, Food Vouchers, Soup Kitchens, Housing Search and Information, and information and referrals to Community Action Agencies. (413) 552-1554. Find additional mortgage help programs.
HAP Inc., which has its phone number above, may also be able to offer rent help and other emergency assistance. They are a non-profit focused on addressing housing needs. Dial 413-233-1500.
A second community action agency supports people in Hampden County Massachusetts. Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is headquartered in Holyoke (phone (413) 552 - 1554). Programs are offered for low to moderate income families. The resources and services provided include Mortgage Foreclosure Assistance, Free Food Pantries, or Grocery Vouchers. There is also a Soup Kitchen, Housing Search and Information, Heating and Utility Bill Help, and Rent Aid.
Free holiday help is available in the Springfield area. Whether a struggling family needs a free gift or toy for their kids, or a single mom is having difficulty in providing a Christmas meal, charities can help. Everything from home delivery to seniors to holiday presents for the less fortunate are offered. Find more details on Christmas and free holiday help in Hampden County.
Churches of Western Massachusetts provides emergency assistance to income qualified families. While the resources are limited and depend on donations, the council may offer funds for paying heating bills, homeless prevention, and other crisis support. Hampden County residents of all religions can get support. There are also summer programs for children and referrals to other non-profits and government organizations. More on The Council of Churches of Western Massachusetts programs.
Hampden County free furniture and clothing distribution centers help low-income families. The charities may distribute either free or low cost goods to lower income and unemployed families, including free furniture or appliances in Springfield MA. Get information on the leading places in Springfield to get items such as work clothes, free shoes, baby supplies and similar items. Click more details free clothes, furniture and school items in Hampden County.
- Back to school supply evens and giveaways are held in Springfield and Hampden County. Students of all ages and grades will get free supplies, including shoes, uniforms, books, tablets and more. There are also hygiene kits and backpacks for students. Read more on free school supplies in Hampden County.
Emergency shelters and transitional housing programs in Hampden County can address housing needs. Get information on low income units, programs to pay deposit or first months rent, and help with locating permanent housing in the Springfield Massachusetts region. Click Hampden transitional housing programs.
Ways to get help with utility and heating bills
The Council of Churches of Greater Springfield (413) 733 - 2149) runs and emergency fuel assistance program that provides financial support to purchase heating fuel (propane, oil, etc.) during winter months and to pay for heating bills. Services offered includes heating fuel bill payment assistance.
An assistance program of Westfield Gas Co., known as Westfield Warm, provides heating oil and fuel assistance, gas bill payment assistance, heating oil bill payment assistance to income-eligible individuals and families in the community. Call (413) 572 - 0100
Credit counseling and free debt management
Receive access to credit counseling, debt reduction programs, foreclosure counseling, and credit repair from the following non-profit agencies. They offer numerous services and programs to individuals. A leading organization for help is American Consumer Credit Counseling (dial (800) 769 - 3571).
The second agency is Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern New England. Help provided to individuals includes debt management, assistance with budgeting and money management, housing and foreclosure counseling, and consumer education. The agency will also help consumers reorganize debt payments as an alternative to bankruptcy. Read more on debt negotiation. Call (866) 889 - 9347.
Auto loan assistance is available too. Non-profit agencies work with the borrower, lender, and others to coordinate payment plans, interest rate changes, and refinancing. They will help borrowers keep their car, and find more on help with auto loan payments.
Community health care clinics
Caring Health Center offers family primary medical as well as dental care. They offer their programs on a sliding fee scale, for people who can’t afford to pay full prices hospital or medical bills. Springfield MA (413) 739 - 1100.
Holyoke Health Center (dial (413) 420 - 2222) provides a community clinic providing medical and dental care and general checkups. Medications, flue shots, dental cleanings, and basic surgery may be offered to adults and children among others.
New Hope Community Health Clinic offers free medical care for patients who do not have health insurance. It is a no cost community clinic. (413) 782 - 5219
Additional clinics and health centers in the region may offer free medical care, prescription drugs, and other assistance. Locate more free Hampden County community clinics.
Emergency food and free meals
Lorraine's Soup Kitchen and Pantry, Inc. provides emergency food. Holiday meals and assistance is also offered. Call (413) 592 - 9528
Community Survival Center, Inc. provides emergency food and other forms of hunger prevention. They are a distribution site. Clothing and household items are also available to families and individuals in need through the Bridge of Hope Thrift Shop. Call (413) 543 - 3930
Open Pantry Community Services, Inc. - They run an Emergency Food Pantry that provides non-perishable food and groceries to those who need help. Located in Springfield Massachusetts. (413) 737 - 5353.
Individuals and families do have several other places to go to for free food, meals, and emergency support. Find more free Hampden County food banks, including their locations and phone numbers.
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