DTA Assistance Line
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) serves 1 in 8 residents of Massachusetts with direct economic assistance (cash benefits) and food assistance (SNAP benefits), as well as workforce training opportunities.
DTA Assistance Line: 877-382-2363
Project Bread
Project Bread offers free, comprehensive statewide food assistance to all Massachusetts residents. Contact Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline for free help in 160 languages.
Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline: 800-645-8333
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Pick Up Food at a Student Grab & Go Meal Site
Find a meal site in your community with Project Bread’s Meal Site Finder.
Cash Assistance from DTA
If you have no income or low income, you may be eligible for TAFDC cash assistance to meet your family’s basic needs (Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children).
If you are eligible, TAFDC is a monthly cash benefit – Up to $712 for a family of 3.
If you get TAFDC, you can also get:
Two cash payments per month to meet your basic needs,
Enrollment into MassHealth coverage,
Referral to free employment and training programs,
Referral for free child care while you work on your education and employment goals,
Money for transportation to get to school, training, work, or to look for a job, and
One-time payment of $300 for infants under 6 months.
You may be eligible if you:
Have children 18 or younger,
Are pregnant and are due in less than 4 months; if you are under age 20 you may be eligible at any stage of pregnancy, and/or
Are a caregiver for a child you are related to but who is not your biological or adopted child
As a caregiver, you can apply for TAFDC for only the child(ren) in your care. DTA will not look at your income and assets when you apply, even though the application is in your name.
and:
You live in Massachusetts,
You or someone in your family are a U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant, and
Your income is below the TAFDC limits. There is no asset limit for TAFDC.
Get more money with federal COVID payments
The Federal Government is giving people more money with tax dollars. You can sign up for this money with a 2021 “tax return.” You can apply today, even if you don’t file taxes.
Apply now and you could get:
Up to $3,600 per child with the 2021 Child Tax Credit,
Any missed COVID Stimulus Payments for you and your children/dependents - $600-$3,200 per person,
The Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (up to $6,728 for 3 children or $1,502 if you are single) if you worked for pay in 2021
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Federal Government has a new program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to help households pay for Internet. All families who have gotten P-EBT are eligible! You can get up to $30 off your monthly internet bill and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer.
Learn more & apply: https://acpbenefit.org/
Housing Assistance
Massachusetts now has more funding available to help you stay in your home. You may be eligible to receive help with rent, mortgage, and utilities. Reach out today by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.mass.gov/covidhousinghelp.