 |
Assistance Programs in Springfield and Hampden County, Massachusetts
Hampden County is home to a broad and active network of social service agencies serving Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, and surrounding communities. Residents facing financial hardship have access to emergency assistance and this page will help you find options. Access free food, rent and utility help, homeless shelter, legal aid, and credit counseling through nonprofits, community action agencies, faith-based organizations, and state programs.
Springfield Partners for Community Action is the federally designated community action agency for Springfield, offering weatherization, eviction counseling, SNAP help, and veteran support. Way Finders (formerly HAPHousing) is the regional housing and rental assistance leader. The Salvation Army operates corps in both Springfield and Holyoke. The Springfield Rescue Mission has provided shelter and meals without interruption since 1892. Valley Opportunity Council serves Holyoke and Chicopee with energy assistance, food programs, and adult education.
Start Here — Find Help Fast
- Community action / general emergency help: Springfield Partners for Community Action — (413) 263-6500
- Rental, mortgage & foreclosure assistance: Way Finders (formerly HAPHousing) — (413) 233-1500. Or see more options on the Springfield and Hampden County Massachusetts rent assistance page.
- Emergency shelter, food & social services (Springfield): Salvation Army Springfield Corps — (413) 733-1518
- Emergency shelter, food & social services (Holyoke): Salvation Army Holyoke Corps — (413) 532-6312
- Rent, food, utilities & rapid rehousing: Catholic Charities Agency — (413) 452-0605
- Holyoke / Chicopee community action: Valley Opportunity Council — (413) 552-1554
- Emergency fuel assistance (Hampden County): Valley Opportunity Council Fuel — (413) 552-1548 or Council of Churches of Greater Springfield — (413) 733-2149
- Free food pantry (Springfield): United Way of Pioneer Valley — (413) 737-2691. Locate other options on the Hampden County food pantry and food banks page.
- Free legal aid (low income): Community Legal Aid — (855) 252-5342
- Don't know where to start? Dial 2-1-1. Massachusetts's statewide helpline operates around the clock and covers all Hampden County communities in both English and Spanish.
Call before you go. Program availability, eligibility, and intake procedures change regularly at most agencies. A quick call first can save a wasted trip and confirm current funding availability.
Community Action & General Emergency Assistance
Start here if you live in Springfield and need help with multiple needs — utilities, rent, food, counseling, or benefits applications.
Springfield Partners for Community Action Est. 1964
Established in 1964 under the federal Economic Opportunity Act, Springfield Partners is the federally designated community action agency (CAA) for the greater Springfield area. The organization celebrated 60 years of service, reaching more than 7,000 community members annually. Its programs cover a wide range of needs for low- and moderate-income residents of Springfield and Hampden County. Programs include:
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): Springfield Partners' longest-running and most successful program provides free home energy improvements to income-qualifying homeowners and renters, including insulation, air sealing, and heating system upgrades. Both homeowners and tenants with landlord permission are eligible.
- Emergency Heating Assistance (AGO Fuel Fund): Helps qualifying residents with heating bills during winter months.
- HUD-Certified Housing Counseling: One-on-one counseling for renters, homeowners, and homebuyers — covering foreclosure prevention, delinquency, and first-time homebuyer education.
- Eviction Counseling Clinic: A partnership with Western Mass Legal Services and the Housing Court, providing free clinics to help tenants understand their rights and prepare for housing court hearings.
- RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition): State-funded short-term rental assistance to prevent homelessness for qualifying households.
- SNAP Application Assistance: Help applying for food stamp benefits and navigating eligibility requirements.
- Credit Counseling and Financial Literacy: One-on-one credit counseling, debt reduction guidance, and budgeting workshops to help residents improve their financial stability. Counselors work one-on-one with clients on improving credit scores, reducing debt, establishing credit, and developing sustainable budgets.
- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance): Free tax preparation during tax season for income-qualifying individuals and households. Available on Saturdays by appointment during the filing season.
- Veteran Services: Outreach, disability claims assistance, connections to veteran benefits including education benefits, and bi-monthly veteran luncheons with food, clothing, and support services.
- Scholarship Program: Scholarships for Springfield-area residents attending college or vocational training, open to both recent graduates and adult learners.
- Early Learning Center: Subsidized early childhood education for children from four weeks to five years old, serving working families and those with income-based eligibility.
Contact (413) 263-6500 | 721 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. Website: https://springfieldpartnersinc.com/
Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) Est. 1965
Valley Opportunity Council is the federally designated community action agency serving Chicopee, Holyoke, and the broader Hampden County area outside of Springfield. Founded in the 1960s, VOC now operates more than 30 programs across the county. It is headquartered in Holyoke and serves low- and moderate-income residents in Spanish and English. Programs include:
- Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP): VOC administers the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for Hampden County, including a Springfield fuel program. This is the primary way Hampden County residents apply for heating bill help each year. Call (413) 552-1548 for Hampden County fuel assistance, including Springfield. Call the fuel assistance line directly for current application procedures and eligibility requirements. Bilingual staff available.
- Heating System Repair: Help repairing or replacing failed heating equipment for qualifying low-income households.
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Nutritional support, food vouchers, and health referrals for pregnant and postpartum women and children up to age five.
- Food assistance: Access to food resources and referrals throughout Hampden County.
- Adult Education: Adult basic education, ESL classes, citizenship preparation, and employment services including the CIES program (for cash assistance recipients moving toward employment).
- Youth Programs: YouthWorks jobs, GEAR UP college readiness, and after-school programs in Chicopee and South Hadley.
- VITA: Free tax preparation for qualifying residents.
- Early Education: Eight licensed child care centers in Holyoke, Chicopee, and South Hadley for children six weeks to 12 years old.
- Homeless Housing: VOC Home and other supportive housing programs for individuals and families.
Contact (413) 552-1554 | 300 High Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. Website: https://www.valleyopp.com/
The Salvation Army — Springfield Corps
The Salvation Army operates a corps community center in Springfield providing emergency social services, a food pantry, and seasonal programs. Emergency financial assistance is available on a limited basis for rent, utilities, and work-related expenses. Call the Springfield Corps directly for current hours and program availability.
Services include emergency shelter referrals, food pantry, clothing distribution (Coats for Kids), free back-to-school supplies, the Toy for Joy holiday program, and limited financial assistance. The Springfield area also has a thrift store serving as a low-cost resource for clothing and household goods.
Contact (413) 733-1518 | Springfield area (call for current location). Website: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/massachusetts/springfield/.
The Salvation Army — Holyoke Corps
The Salvation Army's Holyoke Corps provides a food pantry, emergency financial assistance, free congregate meals, and seasonal programs to residents of Holyoke and surrounding Hampden County communities. Emergency aid is available in limited amounts for rent, utility bills, and other critical needs. Call ahead to confirm current social services hours and program availability before visiting.
Contact (413) 532-6312 | 512 Pleasant Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. Website: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/massachusetts/holyoke/
Catholic Charities Agency — Diocese of Springfield Est. 1940s
Catholic Charities serves residents of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties and provides assistance to people of all faiths and backgrounds. The Springfield office handles rental, mortgage, and utility bill assistance through a structured intake process. Services are available in English and Spanish. Programs include:
- Emergency rental and mortgage assistance: Limited financial help for households at risk of eviction or foreclosure, paid directly to landlords and utility companies on behalf of qualifying clients.
- Rapid Rehousing: Help for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness into stable housing, with case management and short-term rental support.
- Utility bill assistance: Help paying electric, heating, or water bills for qualifying households in crisis.
- Food assistance: Access to food resources in partnership with local pantries and parishes.
- Housing counseling: First-time homebuyer education and housing stability counseling.
- Case management and referrals: Connections to government programs, benefits, and other community resources.
To request financial assistance, complete a pre-screening with the Springfield office by phone or in person. Call ahead before visiting — services are by appointment. Contact (413) 452-0605 | 65 Elliot Street, Springfield, MA 01105. Website: https://diospringfield.org/
Council of Churches of Greater Springfield — Emergency Fuel Fund
The Council of Churches operates an emergency fuel assistance program providing financial support to individuals and families who need help purchasing heating fuel — including oil, propane, and gas — during the winter months. Funds are limited and priority is given to senior citizens, first-time callers, and families with young children. Call early in the heating season as resources are exhausted quickly each year. Call (413) 733-2149
Westfield Gas + Electric — Westfield Warm Program
For Westfield residents, Westfield Gas and Electric operates the Westfield Warm program providing heating fuel and gas bill payment assistance to income-eligible households. This is a locally funded program specific to Westfield Gas customers. Call to confirm current eligibility and application procedures. Contact (413) 572-0100 | Westfield Gas + Electric, Westfield, MA. Website: https://www.wgeld.org/
Social Services, Emergency Shelter, Housing & Meals
Springfield Rescue Mission Est. 1892
The Springfield Rescue Mission has been operating without interruption since 1892, making it one of the oldest social service agencies in Western Massachusetts. All services are free of charge and funded through private donations without direct government support. The Mission serves men, women, and children regardless of faith background. Programs include:
- Public meals: Free breakfast and lunch served six days a week to anyone in need at 10 Mill Street — no prerequisites required, no questions asked.
- Operation SONshine: Mobile feeding program delivering an average of 150 meals per day to homeless individuals and low-income residents in Greater Springfield neighborhoods.
- Emergency shelter (men 18+): Located at 148 Taylor Street. Provides emergency beds, showers, clean clothing, meals, and case management. Intake begins in mid-afternoon. Beds are first-come, first-served. Call the intake line before arriving.
- Men's New Life Rehabilitation Program: A year-long residential program combining structured daily routines, biblical curriculum, counseling, literacy training, and employment preparation for men recovering from addiction or homelessness.
- Transitional Living Program: A next-step residential program at 148 Taylor Street for men completing the New Life Program, providing housing, case management, and employment support during the transition to independent living.
- Give Away Center: Clothing, shoes, and household items distributed to anyone in need.
- Holiday meals: Special sit-down meals at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Contact (413) 732-0808 (main) | (413) 732-0516 (intake / shelter). Business offices and meals: 10 Mill Street, Springfield, MA 01108. Shelter and rehab: 148 Taylor Street, Springfield, MA 01105. Website: https://springfieldrescuemission.org/.
Clinical & Support Options (CSO) — Friends of the Homeless
Clinical & Support Options' Friends of the Homeless (FOH) program is one of the region's largest emergency shelter and meal providers, serving adult men and women in Springfield 365 days a year. The FOH Resource Center in Springfield offers a fully licensed on-site health clinic, computer access and job training resources, and case managers working daily with clients to remove barriers to permanent housing and employment. Services include:
- Emergency shelter: Overnight shelter for adult men and women, open every night of the year.
- Three community meals daily: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served seven days a week at the Worthington Street location to anyone in need.
- FOH Resource Center: Day resource center with case management, computer access, health clinic, and referrals to permanent housing and employment.
- Integrated behavioral health: On-site mental health therapy and substance use treatment coordinated with shelter services.
- Shower and laundry facilities available to guests.
Contact (413) 732-3069 | 755 Worthington Street, Springfield, MA 01105. Website: https://www.csoinc.org/housing-homeless-services
Housing, Rental Assistance & Foreclosure Prevention
Way Finders Formerly HAPHousing / HAP Inc.
It has operated since 1973. It is the primary housing assistance agency for Hampden and Hampshire counties, serving as both a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency and the regional Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC). Way Finders has developed more than 1,300 units of affordable housing and administers several major rental assistance programs. Programs include:
- Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance: Short-term financial assistance to help households avoid eviction or foreclosure. Apply online or by appointment at a housing center. Springfield office: 1780 Main Street. Holyoke office: 193 Chestnut Street.
- RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition): State-funded program providing short-term financial assistance to households at risk of homelessness.
- Section 8 and Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP): Administration of federal and state housing vouchers to help low-income households afford private-market rentals.
- Foreclosure counseling: HUD-certified counselors assist homeowners facing mortgage delinquency or foreclosure with payment plans, workout options, and referrals to the state foreclosure prevention hotline.
- Housing search assistance: Help finding affordable housing, understanding tenant and landlord rights, and navigating the housing market.
- First-time homebuyer education: Workshops and one-on-one counseling for households preparing to purchase a home.
- City of Homes initiative: Acquires distressed and abandoned properties in Springfield neighborhoods and rehabilitates them for first-time homebuyers earning up to 80% of area median income.
- Transitional housing: Programs including Turning Point (for young mothers in Holyoke) and Safe Step (for domestic violence survivors).
- Employment support: Job readiness, résumé assistance, and connections to employment services.
Contact (413) 233-1500 | Springfield: 1780 Main Street | Holyoke: 193 Chestnut Street. Website: https://www.wayfinders.org/
Food Assistance
The Salvation Army, Springfield Rescue Mission, CSO Friends of the Homeless, and Valley Opportunity Council also provide significant food programs — see their entries above.
United Way of Pioneer Valley — Community Cupboard
United Way of Pioneer Valley operates free community food pantries in Springfield and Holyoke, serving thousands of families per year. Pantries are open to anyone — no documentation or proof of need is required. Food includes non-perishable, fresh, and frozen items. UWPV also provides resource coordination and financial stability support through trained staff.
- Springfield Cupboard: 1441 Main Street, Springfield. Open weekly on Tuesdays — call or check the website for current hours.
- Holyoke Community Cupboard: 164 Race Street (HCC Culinary Arts Institute), Holyoke. Generally open Thursdays — call for current schedule.
Contact (413) 737-2691 | Main office: 1441 Main Street, Suite 147, Springfield, MA 01103. Website: https://www.uwpv.org/
State & Government Benefit Programs
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)
The DTA administers the major state and federally funded benefit programs available to Hampden County residents. It is the first stop for ongoing food, healthcare, and cash assistance. DTA offices are located in Springfield and Holyoke.
- SNAP (Food Stamps): Monthly food benefits for income-qualifying households. Apply online at DTAConnect.com or in person at a DTA office.
- TAFDC (Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children): Cash assistance for families with dependent children, paired with employment and education requirements.
- EAEDC (Emergency Aid to Elders, Disabled, and Children): Cash assistance for individuals not eligible for federal programs.
- MassHealth (Medicaid): Free or low-cost health coverage for qualifying individuals and families. Apply through Health Connector or DTA.
Contact Springfield DTA: (413) 858-1000 | 243 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or try Holyoke DTA: (413) 552-5400 | 72-100 Front Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. Website: Online: https://www.mass.gov/dta
Free Legal Aid
Community Legal Aid (Central West Justice Center)
Community Legal Aid — formerly Western Mass Legal Services — is the primary free legal services provider for low-income residents of Hampden County. It operates through centralized intake and provides representation, advice, and advocacy in civil legal matters including housing, public benefits, family law, and consumer issues. Intake is by phone or online; callbacks are typically within 48 hours.
Services include: eviction defense and landlord-tenant matters, foreclosure prevention, SNAP and public benefits appeals, immigration matters, domestic violence civil legal assistance, and consumer protections. Income guidelines apply for most programs.
Contact (855) 252-5342. 1 Monarch Place, Suite 350, Springfield, MA 01144. Website: https://www.cwjustice.org/.
Hampden County Bar Association — Legal Clinic and Referral Service
The Hampden County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral and Information Service connects residents with private attorneys throughout Western Massachusetts across a broad range of practice areas. The service has operated since 1976 and is the only bar association referral service in Massachusetts approved by the American Bar Association.
The HCBA also sponsors the Hampden County Legal Clinic, a pro bono program providing free legal advice to Hampden County residents through community events and clinics. There are no income restrictions for the legal clinic. Topics covered include housing, consumer, and family law matters. Check the legal clinic website for the current schedule of events.
Referral Service: (413) 732-4648 | General: (413) 732-4660. Website: https://www.hcbar.org/ or Legal Clinic: https://www.hcbarlegalclinic.org/
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?