Last updated: July 19, 2026
Bottom line
Single mothers and other low-income families in Massachusetts may be able to get free beds, dressers, tables, chairs, kitchen items, linens, baby supplies, and other home basics. Most help comes from furniture banks, housing workers, schools, clinics, shelters, and local charities. It is usually donated goods or an approved housing cost, not a cash grant.
Start with Mass 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or 877-211-6277. Ask for furniture banks near your city or town and ask which local agency can send a referral. Mass 211 is available around the clock, but each furniture program has its own area, schedule, and rules.
For wider state help, use ASMOM’s Massachusetts help page and Massachusetts programs guide after you check the furniture paths below.
If you need a safe place tonight
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If your family has no safe place to sleep, furniture is not the first step. Pregnant people and families with children under age 21 can review the rules for EA family shelter. Eligibility also depends on income, housing history, Massachusetts residency, family documents, and the reason for homelessness.
Families found eligible for Emergency Assistance may be connected with HomeBASE. The program can help with approved housing costs, and the current state page lists up to $2,500 for beds or a kitchen table and chairs. Do not buy furniture first and expect repayment. Ask the worker to approve the item and payment plan before you spend money.
If you are housed but facing eviction, utility loss, foreclosure, or another housing crisis, check RAFT housing help. RAFT is not a general furniture program, but it may help protect or secure housing while you seek donated items. ASMOM’s Massachusetts emergency guide covers more urgent paths.
Where to start
Choose the path that matches your most urgent need. A family moving from shelter needs a different plan than a family that only needs a child’s bed.
A full apartment setup
Ask a caseworker, housing worker, school, clinic, shelter, or Community Action agency to refer you to a furniture bank. Many programs do not accept walk-ins.
A bed for a child
Ask a school nurse, counselor, pediatrician, case manager, or community provider to send a bed request. Child bed programs may have a waitlist.
Moving from shelter
Ask your EA, shelter, or diversion worker whether furniture and moving costs can be written into your HomeBASE plan before the move.
Baby supplies
Ask WIC, a hospital social worker, a home-visiting program, or a family resource center about partner programs for cribs, clothing, diapers, and baby gear.
ASMOM’s national furniture guide explains other ways to search. If the need is tied to rent, shelter, or a move, also read Massachusetts housing help for state application paths.
Quick help table
| What you need | Best first step | Important reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Beds, tables, dressers, dishes | Furniture bank referral | Most programs use referrals, appointments, and service areas. |
| A child’s twin bed | School, clinic, or provider request | A Bed for Every Child lists a usual wait of 30 to 45 days. |
| Furniture after EA shelter | HomeBASE worker | Get written approval before buying anything. |
| Rent, moving, or utility crisis | RAFT application | RAFT does not work as a general furniture voucher. |
| Baby clothing and supplies | Partner agency or pregnancy program | Items and enrollment depend on location and program space. |
Furniture banks in Massachusetts
Furniture banks can help with a full home setup, but stock changes daily. They cannot promise a certain item, style, appliance, or delivery date.
Household Goods in Acton
Household Goods referrals may provide used furniture and home basics to people who cannot afford them. A social service or community agency must confirm the need and send the referral. Approved households receive one appointment.
Reality check: The program does not normally deliver or lend trucks. A limited transport program exists for people with no other option, but help is not guaranteed. Plan the truck and lifting help early.
New Life Furniture Bank
New Life furniture help may include beds, dressers, seating, tables, linens, kitchen basics, and small appliances. Registered agencies, places of worship, and medical facilities send referrals.
Reality check: Walpole orders need a professional mover arranged by the referring agency. Marlborough clients must bring a box truck. Clients receive one visit, and items depend on stock and household size.
Mission of Deeds
Mission of Deeds help provides beds, furniture, kitchen basics, and household items. It serves Middlesex and Essex Counties, plus Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. A helping agency must send a referral, and the client then calls to schedule.
Reality check: Bring a large vehicle on appointment day. Do not travel to Reading until the referral and appointment are confirmed.
Project Home Again
Project Home Again partners provide free furniture, household goods, small appliances, and some new mattresses in the Merrimack Valley. A contracted school, clinic, housing agency, shelter, or social worker must refer the client.
Reality check: Some items are hard to obtain. Ask the partner what is likely to be available before the appointment.
My Brother’s Keeper
My Brother’s Keeper furniture may include beds, cribs, dressers, refrigerators, tables, seating, dishes, pans, sheets, and towels. It delivers free in listed South Shore and South Coast communities. The person needing help normally calls directly.
Reality check: It does not replace furniture. A family leaving shelter needs a key, signed lease, or firm move-in date before a request can be processed.
Housing programs that may help
State housing money has strict rules and is not a store gift card. Ask what is covered, who gets paid, and what proof is needed before making a purchase.
| Program | Current help | How it starts |
|---|---|---|
| HomeBASE | Up to $30,000 over 24 months for approved housing needs. The state lists up to $2,500 for beds or a kitchen table and chairs. | An EA shelter, diversion, or approved exit worker connects an eligible family. |
| RAFT | Up to $7,000 in a rolling 12-month period for eligible FY26 housing crises. | The household applies through the Housing Help Hub. |
| Local charity aid | May include a thrift voucher, truck cost, or small household item when funds exist. | 211, Community Action, schools, clinics, or housing workers may refer. |
HomeBASE
HomeBASE is for families eligible for EA Family Shelter, including some helped through diversion. It may cover approved rent, deposits, moving costs, utilities, arrears, and certain furniture. The current state page lists $2,500 for beds or a kitchen table and chairs. Ask how payment works before buying anything.
RAFT
RAFT helps eligible households facing a serious housing problem. FY26 rules set a $7,000 cap in any rolling 12 months. Income is generally limited to 50% of Area Median Income, or 60% for households affected by domestic violence. Apply through the state portal and use the RAFT agency finder when you need help.
Children’s beds and baby items
A Bed for Every Child
Request a child bed through a case manager, teacher, school counselor, nurse, health worker, or community provider. The program provides a new twin mattress and wooden frame to children in need across Massachusetts. It prefers provider referrals and lists a usual wait of 30 to 45 days.
Cradles to Crayons
Cradles family assistance provides clothing, shoes, books, baby items, winter gear, and school supplies through service partners. Ask your current worker to place an order, or use the city and town list to find a partner. It is not a public walk-in store.
Room to Grow Boston
Room to Grow applications are for expecting families who may benefit from parenting support and baby or toddler items. Apply before the third trimester begins. The Boston program is offered in English and Spanish, but applying does not guarantee enrollment.
ASMOM’s Massachusetts baby gear guide has more child-focused options.
Local and regional backup options
If the large furniture banks cannot serve your area or have no open appointment, call 211 again and ask for a second path. Use the words “furniture bank,” “household goods,” “bed program,” “thrift voucher,” “move-in kit,” and “delivery help.”
Ask a local Community Action agency, school family worker, housing authority, hospital social worker, family resource center, faith group, or city human services office. The state keeps an agency and partner list that includes Community Action and housing agencies. ASMOM also has a Community Action guide and a Massachusetts community guide for planning calls.
Some local groups may offer a thrift-store voucher, a used item, a small moving payment, or volunteer delivery. Help can stop when local funds run out. Ask what is open now, what area is served, and whether a referral is required.
If a truck is the only barrier, check ASMOM’s Massachusetts transport guide for local travel and ride help. Transport programs may not move furniture, but a caseworker may know a church, volunteer group, or housing fund that can pay a mover.
What to have ready
Every program asks for different information. Do not delay a first call because one paper is missing. Tell the worker what you have and ask what can be used instead.
| Information or paper | Why it may be needed |
|---|---|
| Name, phone, email, and best call time | Programs need a safe way to reach you about referrals and appointments. |
| Current city or town | Furniture banks and delivery programs have service areas. |
| Household size and children’s ages | Bed sizes, kitchen sets, and item limits may depend on household needs. |
| Lease, key date, or move-in letter | Some programs need proof that the home is ready for furniture. |
| Shelter or caseworker contact | Many furniture banks require a professional referral. |
| Top five needed items | Stock changes, so the program needs to know what matters most. |
| Truck, mover, and helper plan | Some programs require all items to leave during one appointment. |
Use ASMOM’s documents checklist to keep benefit papers, notices, lease pages, and contact names in one place.
Plan delivery before accepting furniture
A free item can still create costs. Ask about truck rental, stairs, elevators, parking, building rules, lifting help, and the delivery window. Measure doorways and rooms before choosing large items.
- Ask whether the program delivers or requires pickup.
- Ask who pays the mover or rental truck.
- Confirm whether children can attend the appointment.
- Tell the program about stairs, narrow doors, or no elevator.
- Do not book a truck until the appointment is confirmed.
- Do not accept more than you can safely move and use.
Safety checks for used items
Do not take an item just because it is free. Look for bedbugs, mold, smoke smell, broken parts, loose rails, exposed wires, and missing labels. Avoid used mattresses from unknown sellers unless a trusted program has checked them.
- Search the federal recall list before using cribs, dressers, appliances, and baby gear.
- Anchor tall dressers and bookcases to reduce tip-over risk.
- Do not use a recalled or damaged crib.
- Place babies on a separate, firm, flat sleep surface with no pillows, loose blankets, or soft items. Massachusetts has current infant safe sleep guidance for caregivers.
- Ask a pediatrician or trusted health worker when you are unsure about baby equipment.
If heat or power is at risk
Safe sleep, heat, electricity, water, and food storage come before nonessential furniture. Call the utility company and ask about payment plans and hardship protections. Massachusetts home energy assistance can help eligible households with part of a winter heating bill.
ASMOM’s Massachusetts utility guide explains more state and local bill-help paths.
If you are denied or delayed
A furniture request may be turned down because you live outside the service area, the referral came from the wrong agency, the home is not ready, the program has no stock, or there is no transport plan. Ask for the exact reason and what would fix it.
If the program cannot help, ask for a warm referral. That means the worker contacts another agency or gives you the name of a person to call, not only a general phone number.
For RAFT, HomeBASE, EA shelter, or another public benefit, keep every notice, email, screenshot, date, and worker name. Ask how to correct missing papers and how to request a review or appeal. ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize the next step.
If abuse or stalking is part of the housing crisis, use a safe device when possible and contact a trained advocate. ASMOM’s Massachusetts safety resources list official and local help paths.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling Mass 211
“Hi, I live in [city or town]. My household needs [beds, table, dresser, kitchen items]. Please give me furniture-bank programs that serve my area and tell me which agency can send the referral.”
Calling a caseworker
“Can your office refer me to a furniture bank? I need help with [top items]. I also need to know whether the program delivers or whether we must arrange a truck.”
Calling about HomeBASE
“I am applying for or eligible for EA family shelter. Can furniture or moving costs be part of my HomeBASE plan? What must be approved before I buy or schedule anything?”
Calling about a child’s bed
“My child does not have a safe bed. Can your school, clinic, or agency send a request to a child bed program and tell me what information you need from me?”
Resumen en español
En Massachusetts, la ayuda para muebles depende de su ciudad, una referencia y los artículos disponibles. Llame al 2-1-1 y pida bancos de muebles, camas para niños y ayuda con transporte. También puede pedir una referencia a una escuela, clínica, refugio o agencia de vivienda.
Si no tiene un lugar seguro para dormir, pregunte por Emergency Assistance. Las familias elegibles pueden preguntar por HomeBASE. No compre artículos esperando un reembolso sin aprobación. Confirme los documentos, el transporte y las reglas de seguridad antes de aceptar muebles o equipo para bebés.
FAQ
Can single mothers get free furniture in Massachusetts?
Yes. Furniture banks, schools, clinics, housing programs, charities, and local agencies may help. Service area, stock, need, referrals, and transport rules apply.
Does Massachusetts offer a furniture cash grant?
Most help is donated goods or an approved housing cost. HomeBASE currently lists up to $2,500 for certain beds or dining furniture under an approved plan.
Can HomeBASE pay for furniture?
It may cover approved furniture for EA-eligible families. Ask the worker for approval and payment steps before buying anything.
Can RAFT pay for furniture?
RAFT is mainly for urgent housing costs, not a general furniture voucher. Ask the assigned RAFT agency whether a specific cost is allowed.
Who can refer me to a furniture bank?
Referrers may include housing workers, shelters, schools, clinics, hospitals, government agencies, faith groups, Community Action agencies, and nonprofits.
What if I do not have a truck?
Tell the worker early. Some programs deliver, while others require a mover or box truck. Ask about transportation aid or local volunteers.
How can I get a bed for my child?
Ask a school, clinic, case manager, or community provider to submit a bed request. A Bed for Every Child serves families across Massachusetts.
Last updated: July 19, 2026. Next review: October 19, 2026.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 19, 2026, next review October 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.