If you are affected by the Federal Government Shutdown, here are Massachusetts-based resources available to you right now. This guide keeps things simple: manage your cash flow, secure food and health coverage, keep your utilities on, and protect your housing.
NOTE: This information is gathered from public internet sources. Programs change; always click through, confirm details, and beware of scams (no fees to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, UI, housing, or 2-1-1). If something looks off, call the official numbers on the linked sites to verify before sharing personal info. This is not legal, financial, or life advice; seek licensed professionals for help.
🕐 What to do first (10-minute plan)
- Cash flow triage: File or reopen your Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) portal and certify weekly.
- Food & health coverage: Apply for SNAP (Food Assistance) and MassHealth (Medicaid) through the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and MassHealth portal. Check eligibility for WIC via the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).
- Keep the heat and lights on: Apply for LIHEAP (Fuel Assistance Program) through your local Community Action Agency (CAA). Contact Eversource, National Grid, or Unitil for hardship programs or bill forgiveness plans.
- Housing stability: Seek rent, mortgage, and homelessness prevention help through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and HUD Massachusetts.
- One-stop referrals: Dial 2-1-1 Massachusetts or visit mass211.org for statewide help with food, rent, childcare, utilities, and legal aid.
🔗 Links & Resources (Massachusetts)
Income & Jobs
Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA):
🔗 https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance
File or Reopen a Claim:
🔗 https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-unemployment-benefits
MassHire JobQuest (Employment & Training):
🔗 https://jobquest.dcs.eol.mass.gov/jobquest/
Food Access
SNAP (Food Assistance):
🔗 https://www.mass.gov/snap-benefits-formerly-food-stamps
Apply via DTAConnect:
🔗 https://dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov/
WIC (Women, Infants & Children Program):
🔗 https://www.mass.gov/wic
Greater Boston Food Bank (Find Local Food):
🔗 https://www.gbfb.org/need-food/
Health Coverage
MassHealth (Medicaid):
🔗 https://www.mass.gov/topics/masshealth
Apply for MassHealth or Health Connector:
🔗 https://www.mahealthconnector.org/
Community Health Centers:
🔗 https://massleague.org/FindAHealthCenter/
Heat, Utilities & Weatherization
LIHEAP (Fuel Assistance):
🔗 https://www.masscap.org/heatinghelpma/
Weatherization Assistance Program:
🔗 https://www.mass.gov/service-details/weatherization-assistance-program
Eversource Assistance:
🔗 https://www.eversource.com/content/residential/account-billing/payment-assistance
National Grid Energy Assistance:
🔗 https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Assistance-Programs
Unitil Energy Assistance:
🔗 https://unitil.com/energy-efficiency/payment-assistance
Housing
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC):
🔗 https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-housing-and-livable-communities
RAFT (Rental Assistance for Families in Transition):
🔗 https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-raft
HUD Massachusetts:
🔗 https://www.hud.gov/states/massachusetts
One-stop referrals
2-1-1 Massachusetts:
🔗 https://mass211.org/
Community Action Agencies Directory:
🔗 https://www.masscap.org/
Legal Help
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS):
🔗 https://www.gbls.org/
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC):
🔗 https://www.mlac.org/
Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP):
🔗 https://vlpnet.org/
Disability Law Center of Massachusetts:
🔗 https://www.dlc-ma.org/
Crafted by JobsInMyState.com in support of fellow Americans.