Emergency Assistance for Single Mothers in Massachusetts

Where to start

Do not try to solve every problem at once. Pick the first step that protects your children, your housing, your food, or your health.

1. Safety first. If someone may hurt you or your child, call 911. If you need domestic violence support, SafeLink can connect you with local help.
2. Apply even if one paper is missing. Submit what you have, then upload or send missing documents later. Waiting can slow down help.
3. Use the right office. DTA handles SNAP and TAFDC. EOHLC handles EA family shelter, RAFT, and HomeBASE. MassHealth and the Health Connector handle health coverage.
4. Keep a simple log. Write the date, office, worker name, phone number, and what they told you.
5. Ask for help in your language. State offices can provide interpreter services. You can also ask for disability accommodations.

If you need a broader list of state programs, start with the Massachusetts help guide. For papers to gather, save the documents checklist.

Quick help table

Emergency shelter, rent, and eviction help

EA family shelter

Emergency Assistance, often called EA, is the Massachusetts family shelter program for pregnant people and families with children under 21. The state says shelter is temporary while your family looks for the next stable place to live. Call 866-584-0653 and ask for a Homeless Coordinator to screen your family.

Be ready to explain where you slept last night, where your children are, why you cannot stay where you are, and whether domestic violence, fire, flood, eviction, medical issues, or unsafe conditions are part of the crisis. If you are found eligible but there is no shelter space, ask about the EA contact list and what you must do to stay reachable.

HomeBASE

HomeBASE can help some families who are eligible for EA family shelter move toward housing instead of staying in shelter. Massachusetts describes HomeBASE as up to $30,000 over two years for eligible EA families. Ask the shelter worker or diversion worker whether HomeBASE can help with rent, moving costs, or a new unit.

HomeBASE is not a regular monthly rent voucher for every family. It is tied to EA eligibility and a housing plan. Ask what your rent will be after the help ends and whether you can afford the unit long term.

RAFT rent help

RAFT is for eligible households facing a housing crisis, such as eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, or move-in costs. Massachusetts says RAFT can provide short-term emergency funding. State eviction materials describe RAFT as up to $7,000 per year for eligible families. Apply early through the Housing Help Hub if you have a Notice to Quit, court papers, a shutoff notice, or move-in costs.

RAFT often needs papers from both the tenant and landlord. If the landlord is slow, keep calling the regional agency and ask what proof you can submit now. If court papers arrived, also look at rental assistance and housing help while you seek legal support.

If court papers arrived

Do not ignore eviction papers. Massachusetts offers free housing mediation and legal referrals through eviction help. Low-income tenants can use the legal aid finder. MassLegalHelp also has practical information on shelter rights for families.

Food and cash help

SNAP food benefits

SNAP gives monthly food benefits on an EBT card. In Massachusetts, DTA runs SNAP. You can apply online through DTA Connect, call 877-382-2363, or use a DTA office. DTA says most SNAP decisions can take up to 30 days, but some people who meet emergency rules can get benefits within seven days.

Emergency SNAP may apply if your income and money are very low, or if your income plus money is less than your housing costs. SNAP amounts depend on household size, income, rent, utilities, child care costs, and other rules. For more background, see the ASMOM SNAP guide.

TAFDC cash assistance

TAFDC is cash assistance for some families with children, pregnant people, and caregivers. DTA says TAFDC may be available to families with children 18 or younger, people pregnant at any stage, and related caregivers for children. If you apply only for a related child in your care, DTA says it will not count your income when you apply.

TAFDC has income, household, work, child support, and reporting rules. Your payment can change if your income, rent, child support, or household changes. For a plain overview of cash aid, use the TANF guide.

WIC and food pantries

WIC helps eligible pregnant women, new mothers, breastfeeding parents, babies, and children under 5. WIC can provide healthy foods, nutrition support, breastfeeding help, and referrals. Massachusetts says people who receive SNAP, TAFDC, or MassHealth are automatically income eligible for WIC, but WIC still completes its own process.

For food today, call Project Bread or search a local food pantry. The ASMOM WIC guide can help you understand WIC before you call.

Utilities, heat, and shutoff protection

Massachusetts has utility shutoff protections, but you usually must act before shutoff or as soon as you know there is a problem. The Attorney General explains that your electric or gas company may not shut off service for nonpayment without DPU permission if you have financial hardship and a serious illness in the home, an infant under 12 months, all adults are 65 or older with a minor child, or winter heating protection applies. Read the state utility shutoff rules and call your utility.

HEAP, formerly called fuel assistance or LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay part of winter heating bills. The FY 2026 state page says income generally cannot exceed 60% of Massachusetts estimated state median income. Call the Cold Relief Heatline at 800-632-8175 to find your local agency.

If service has been shut off or is about to be shut off, call the DPU Consumer Division at 877-886-5066. Also ask your utility about arrearage management, budget billing, hardship status, and medical protection if a doctor can verify a serious illness. For more bill help, see ASMOM emergency bill help and utility help.

Health coverage, child care, and job loss

MassHealth and urgent care access

MassHealth provides health benefits and help paying for health coverage to qualifying Massachusetts residents, including children, families, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities. Use the MassHealth application page or call 800-841-2900. Pregnant people should say they are pregnant because pregnancy can change eligibility.

If you are in emotional distress, call or text the 988 Lifeline. For mental health or substance use crisis help in Massachusetts, call or text the Behavioral Health Line at 833-773-2445. For health coverage basics, see the ASMOM Medicaid guide.

Child care help

Massachusetts Child Care Financial Assistance can help eligible families pay for child care and out-of-school-time care. Start with the state child care aid page. Families can also use MyChildCareMA to apply for child care benefits, track application progress, and manage cases.

Ask about waitlists, priority groups, DTA-related child care, and what proof of work, school, training, disability, or job search is needed. The ASMOM child care guide can help you plan questions before you call.

Unemployment after job loss

If you lost work or your hours were cut through no fault of your own, apply for unemployment benefits. Massachusetts says some eligible workers may qualify for up to $1,105 per week for up to 30 weeks. Your amount depends on your wages and case details.

Keep certifying every week while the claim is pending. If you miss weekly certifications, payment can be delayed or denied for those weeks.

Documents checklist

You do not need every document before you ask for help. Still, gathering these items can make applications easier.

If you are denied, delayed, or ignored

Ask for the decision in writing. A written notice should tell you why the office denied or stopped help and how to appeal. Keep envelopes, screenshots, upload receipts, and call logs.

The benefit problem guide can help you organize notices, deadlines, and proof. If the problem includes threats, stalking, sexual abuse, or unsafe control, use the domestic violence guide and talk with an advocate before taking steps that could increase risk.