Assistance program Norfolk County Massachusetts.
Rent, mortgage, and security deposit assistance is some of what is available in Norfolk County. Other financial assistance includes free food, eviction prevention, back to school supplies for students and transportation vouchers for work for qualified low income families. Find how to apply for free grants from the government and non-profits as well as charities or churches in the region.
Norfolk County area families can also apply for year round or free seasonal stuff. Examples of this may be Christmas gifts during the holiday or extra grants to pay for winter heating or summer cooling bills. There may also be free winter clothes or coats, low cost loans for buying a home, foreclosure counseling and many other social services.
Self Help Community Outreach Financial Assistance Program
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:
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
- General Financial Advice, including credit card debt assistance programs.
- Child Care/Voucher Care
- LHEAP and Weatherization
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.
Contact Self Help at 508-226-4192 for information on those resources listed above or other assistance programs offered from the Norfolk County community action agency.
Fuel assistance, Free 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.
For information on any of the resources listed above, dial Self Help Inc. They have several offices in Norfolk County, and some of them are listed below.
- 100 Lincoln Street, Abington, Massachusetts. 02351, call (781) 982-2145
- 95 Pine Street, Attleboro, MA 02703, (508) 226-4192
- 6 Bryant St, Dedham MA 02026, phone (781) 326-1650
- 75 Central St, Foxboro MA 02035, (508) 543-1252 or (508) 543-3115
- 8 Medway Branch Rd, Norfolk Massachusetts 02056, dial (508) 528-4430
- 235 School St, Walpole MA 02081, (508) 668-3330
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.
Free 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. Some of these may support the county.
However, there are also dozens of food pantries in Norfolk. Not only may they have groceries, but some centers will help hot meals or clothing. Or they operate soup kitchens as well. If you need even more options or assistance, then locate more Norfolk County free 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.
Local non-profit agencies offer help with rental expenses in limited situations. Most of the aid is for tenants with an eviction notice. In some cases, and organization may be able to provide loans or cash grants for a security deposit. All of these are in addition to MetroWes. 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 information on financial aid. Find information and gain access to free food, clothing, referrals, transportation, and other assistance for getting back on their feet.
From time to time financial assistance for paying other bills may be available. Other services offered include Fuel Assistance, Legal Aid, Community Outreach, and Holiday Programs. Call 978-365-6349, or read WHEAT Community Services assistance programs.
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, Free Food Pantries, Energy Conservation Improvements, Tax Preparation Assistance, Housing Counseling, Rent Help, or Housing Search and Information.
The non-profit in Quincy also offers applications to LIHEAP as well as Heating Fuel or Electric Bill Payment Assistance. Or enroll into Personal Finances/Budget Counseling Classes or Debt Reduction. Or clients can learn about Landlord/Tenant Assistance, Head Start, GED Instruction, English as a Second Language workshops, Computer Training and Classes. Dial (617) 479 - 8181
Senior citizens often live check to check or on limited resources. There is financial help for seniors or retirees as well as the elderly. Vouchers can help them pay for medications. There is free or low cost medical or dental care. Or the homebound can sign up for Meals on Wheels. Then of course financial help can help them pay for bills, property taxes, senior transportation costs and other expenses.
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 or Mortgage as well as Foreclosure Prevention. Or call for details on Housing Counseling, or GED Instruction. There is also Community Action Agencies and Specialized Information and Referral, and Case/Care Management. Also find information on state of Massachusetts public aid resources.
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
Community Mental Health Center offers outpatients and other assistance to mental health patients in the region, including in Norfolk County. Any type of aid provided will be very short term in nature. Some of the resources provided include rent payment assistance, access to a food pantry, electric, gas, and heating bill assistance and more. Referrals are needed from a social service, church or other religious organization. Dial (617) 277 - 8107 for information and intake.
Assistance for basic needs - Low income families, single parents, and others can turn to clothing closets in the south shore and Norfolk County region. They offer many forms of support, and some examples are as follows.
- Professional work attire, such as suits or dresses.
- Free school supplies, uniforms, backpacks, and winter coats for students.
- Referrals to Christmas and holiday programs.
- Find a listing of free clothing centers in Norfolk County.
Catholic Charitable Bureau of Norfolk supports all of eastern Massachusetts. Numerous assistance programs and case management is available. These include programs for pregnant mothers and teens, rent and utility bill assistance, day camps, and assistance for immigrants. They also have referrals to other government programs and churches in the region. (617) 506 - 6600.
Massachusetts Housing Consumer Education Centers administers RAFT and other housing programs across the state. A formal, comprehensive intake and application process is in place. Low income families with children may benefit. Rent help can be paid out in an effort to assist families and allow them to retain housing, obtain a new apartment or home, and in general avoid homelessness. It is for high risk residents, including seniors and those facing imminent eviction. Landlord/tenant mediation and other services are available as well.
Interfaith Social Services is located at 105 Adams Street in Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169. Call (617) 773 - 6203. The organization can provide referrals to government aid, food, and emergency financial assistance. Volunteers and staff will partner with clients.
The location also has a clothing closet and they operate one of the largest free food banks in Norfolk County. Also, Interfaith will provide free Thanksgiving or Christmas meals and toys, school supplies, and they coordinate other seasonal resources. Read more Interfaith Social Services.
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. There is also a free school backpack, supply, and uniforms given away each year. 6 Baxter Street, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169, (617) 472-2345
Countywide Salvation Army - In addition to the locations indicated above, there are a few other centers in the Norfolk County area. Each one is focused on helping people of all ages, races, and ages. Call them for information on social services, holiday programs, shelter, food, and more. Click here Salvation Army Norfolk County.
Free Debt and Mortgage Help
A few agencies as well as programs in the Norfolk County area help with all sorts of debt, savings, and mortgage needs. They can help residents reduce their costs, save money, or help with budgeting. Or get advice on dealing with credit card or other debts.
Non-profit counseling - These may be the first place to go for assistance. All across Massachusetts are free non-profit credit counseling agencies. They address all sorts of needs, from consumer debt to car loan help and more.
When it comes to home buying, mortgage help, or foreclosure prevention services, both national and local programs exist. Low to moderate income families can often get free assistance. Others may be charged a modest cost. Find a list of resources for stopping a foreclosure or buying a home.
Free legal advice from non-profit attorneys
Two different non-profit law firms to call for free civil legal advice include the following. They can offer free advice and attorneys can even represent clients in court. The options 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.
|