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... a free online resource for Worcester-area residents
in need of housing, food, health care, and other basic services
| WorcesterResources.org is a community-based web site with detailed information about the many types of assistance available to those in need living in Worcester, Massachusetts and its surrounding towns. It provides practical information on what services are available, where and how to apply for benefits, eligibility requirements, benefit amounts, and answers to commonly asked questions. It includes information about federal, state, and local benefit programs. |
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WorcesterResources.org presents this information in a well-organized and logical manner. Select the type of assistance you need from the drop down menu and follow the links to learn about the various programs available in Worcester to help you. As a first step, you may want to complete the Benefit Screener to see the range of programs for which you might be eligible. Then, for many of the programs, you can use a more specific Eligibility Check to see if you are likely to qualify for program benefits.
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Please note: If you live in Massachusetts, but not in the Worcester area, you should visit our statewide web site: MassResources.org. MassResources.org publishes an e-mail newsletter and special updates to keep you informed. You can view the MassResources.org newsletters online now.
WorcesterResources.org currently includes information for the following types of assistance:
| Cash Assistance Programs: provide low-income families, elders, and the disabled with financial and medical support for their basic needs, as well as education and job training to help families become financially independent. |
| Child Care and Preschool Programs: help low-income families and teen parents find and pay for child care and preschools so that the parents may work, go to school, or take part in job training programs. |
| Education Programs: offer free public education to all kindergarten and school-age children in Worcester, including special education programs for children with disabilities. |
| Employment & Job Training Programs: provide job search assistance, career counseling, technical and vocational training, and unemployment benefits to workers who have lost their jobs or are looking for better jobs. |
| Energy Assistance Programs: include fuel assistance, weatherization, and furnace repair services to help families stay warm during the winter; utility discounts for low-income families; and utility shut-off protection for families in special circumstances. |
| Financial Programs: help residents save their money, get out of debt, and establish good credit. |
| Food Programs: offer free food, low cost food, and information about good nutrition to low-income families and individuals as well as seniors. |
| Health Care Programs: offer free or low-cost health coverage and services to eligible low and moderate-income families and individuals for medical treatment given by doctors, clinics, HMOs, hospitals, and pharmacies. |
| Home Care Programs: help seniors and residents with disabilities who need support services to live safely at home. |
| Homelessness Programs: help people who are homeless or in danger of losing their housing. |
| Housing Programs: help households find and pay for rental housing or help residents buy, keep, and maintain a home of their own. |
| Legal Assistance Programs: offer free legal help to low-income and elderly residents with legal problems concerning housing, government benefits, family law, or other non-criminal issues. |
| Tax Credits: help eligible persons reduce their taxes and, for some credits, can provide cash payments to workers even when they do not owe any taxes. |
| Transportation Services: include public bus transportation as well as flexible van/taxi services for elders, the disabled, and working families with special transportation needs. |
| • Disability Resources: include disability agencies, Social Security Disability Insurance, MassRelay and MassEDP, and home care programs; and government and non-profit assistance programs that provide cash assistance, housing, food, health care, transportation services, and other benefits to people with disabilities. |
| • Ex-Offender Resources: include reentry and support agencies; transitional housing, employment services, and other support programs; criminal record information and assistance; and other services for former prisoners. |
| • Noncitizen Resources: include refugee resettlement, English classes, legal help, translation, and other services; and government and non-profit assistance programs that provide housing, food, health care, and other benefits to noncitizens. |
| • Senior Resources: include senior agencies, home care and other benefit programs, protective services, the Social Security retirement program, and other services for seniors. |
| • Youth Resources: include activities for Worcester youth, and public and non-profit benefit programs that provide health care, education, shelter, legal assistance, and other services for children and teens. |
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