Franklin County Massachusettsd assistance programs.
Help for bills, rent, medications, and other living expenses
The Salvation Army of Massachusetts has a location in Greenfield, which is the county seat of Franklin. The Salvation Army provides a wide variety of services and assistance programs that include free food from local pantries, housing and rent payment assistance, electric, gas, water, and general utility bill payment programs. There may be grants provided to income qualified families.
Other social services from the non-profit range from free Christmas baskets and holiday meals, Thanksgiving baskets, prescription expense assistance, and information on other local charities and non-profit organizations in the region. Call (413) 773 - 3154, or locate details on Franklin County Salvation Army programs.
Montague Catholic Social Ministries provides financial assistance and grants primarily to families with children under the age of five living in Gill and Montague. Forms of assistance provided to qualified individuals include emergency food and clothing assistance, utility and heating bill arrearage assistance, referral to MCSM and other programs and charities, and Salvation Army vouchers for residents of Millers Falls, Montague City, and Turners Falls. (13) 863-4805 Ext: 2
Franklin County Community Action! runs numerous assistance programs for the working poor, low income, elderly, and unemployed. A partial listing is below.
Food Pantry - They run a drop-in food pantry where people with low incomes, the elderly, and others who need help can receive food, groceries, and farmers market coupons to bring home.
Electric Efficiency Program - Access information and methods to save electricity, including weatherization, and learn how to lower your utility bills.
Energy Bill Assistance - Several options are offered. The program is really a group of utility and heating bill assistance programs that help people with low income cover the cost and pay for their winter heating bills. Income-eligible people and families can receive Fuel Assistance, Heating Oil, and may also qualify for participation in the Heating System Program., Electric Efficiency Program, and Weatherization Program.
Information - A service known as First Call for Help assists people in finding and accessing resources such as government programs (Massachusetts and federal) food, public benefits, social services, counseling, transportation, rent help, emergency assistance, and housing aid.
Debt and mortgage help - Offered from financial education classes.
Call Franklin County Community Action! at (413) 773-3834.
Foreclosure assistance and mortgage help in Franklin County
Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority runs programs including mortgage delinquency and default resolution counseling, housing counseling, housing authorities and mortgage foreclosure information, housing search and information, transitional housing/shelter, and landlord/tenant assistance. Phone (413) 863 - 9781, or click here for other Massachusetts mortgage assistance programs.
Western MA Foreclosure Education Center ((413) 233 - 1622) provides at-risk homeowners in Franklin County and Greenfield with counseling and a variety of support services to prevent housing loss, including mortgage foreclosure assistance.
Food and other aid
Franklin County Community Meals Program, Inc. runs a service known as Orange Food Pantry, which provides anywhere from 3-5 days' worth of food, diapers, and/or personal hygiene products to low income families. Dial (413) 772 - 1033.
Hilltown Community Churches Food Pantry ((413) 625 - 6086) runs a food pantry for residents of Ashfield, Buckland, Conway, Charlemont, Colrain, Hawley, Heath, Monroe, Plainfield, Rowe and Shelburne Massachusetts.
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