Representative Daniel M. Donahue
16th Worcester
Constituent Resources
The following is an overview of the resources the state and the city of Worcester have for common issues. I hope that this resource outline may be helpful to you or someone you know. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions.
Childcare
State Level
Department of Early Education and Care – Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA)
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CCFA programs help Massachusetts families pay for child care and out-of-school time programs through federal and state programs. These programs pay your child’s child care and/or out-of-school time programs directly each month. You may have a “parent fee” depending on your family size and income.
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Learn more and find your region’s Child Care Resource and Referral Agency
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Speak with your Family Access Administrator (FAA) to determine eligibility
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Your FAA could include Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&R), contracted child care programs and Mass 211.
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Note: Your family may get priority access to CCFA if you
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Are experiencing homelessness or need assistance due to domestic violence;
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Have a referral from DTA or DCF;
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Are a parent younger than 24 years old; OR
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Are working in an early education and care program.
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Department of Early Education and Care – Head Start
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Head Start and Early Head Start are federal programs that provide funding for children ages 0-5 from low-income families to receive quality early education services.
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Head Start accepts eligible 3 and 4 year old children until they can enter kindergarten. Early Head Start accepts eligible infants and toddlers.
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If you are interested in Head Start or Early Head Start, contact the Head Start lead agency in your area to find out if there are openings and how to apply to enroll your child.
City Level
Worcester’s Child Care Resource and Referral Agency is:
799 West Boylston St., Worcester, MA 01606
Mon – Fri: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: 508.796.1821 508.796.1829
FAX: 508.856.7941
Food Assistance
State Level
Department of Transitional Assistance – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
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SNAP is a federal nutrition program administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) for Massachusetts residents. Eligible recipients receive monthly funds on a debit-like EBT card to buy food.
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Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333
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Mon – Fri: 8am – 7pm & Sat: 10am – 2pm
Housing
*Taken from Citizen’s Housing & Planning Association (CHAPA)’s resource guide*
State Level
Housing Programs Overview
Housing Consumer Education Centers: 9 Regional Agencies serving the entire state and answering a wide range of questions about all types of housing problems.
Housing Assistance for Massachusetts Residents: EOHLC’s overview of Massachusetts’ housing, home repair, and home energy programs.
Homelessness
Shelter: Emergency shelter and related services for individuals, youth, and families.
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Young adult emergency shelter options: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/shelter-crisis-housing-support-for-18-24-year-olds
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Emergency shelter for individual adults: https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/iShelters.aspx
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Emergency shelter for families with children under age 21: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/review-eligibility-apply-for-emergency-assistance-ea-family-shelter
HomeBASE: Support for families who have been found eligible for Emergency Assistance Family Shelter – currently provides up to $30,000 over a 2-year period. EOHLC has paused renewals beyond 2 years. Funds can be used to pay for rent, utilities, moving costs, and basic furniture.
Housing Stability
Fair Housing Alliance of Massachusetts: A consortium of 4 non-profit organizations working to end voucher-based and other forms of housing discrimination through legal services and education.
Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP): Works with tenants facing eviction as a result of a behavior related to a disability by functioning as a neutral party to the landlord and tenant.
Rental Housing
Housing Navigator: A free search engine to find affordable and subsidized rental housing in Massachusetts.
Public Housing: State-funded housing available to households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income in 230 cities and towns that are operated by local housing authorities.
Rental Assistance to Families in Transition (RAFT): Assistance for families or individuals to remain in their current home or to find a new one. Provides up to $7,000 over a 12-month period to be used for rent arrears, utilities, moving expenses, or mortgage payments.
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP): Mobile (assigned to a tenant) and Project-Based (assigned to a specific housing unit/development) state rental assistance for low-income households.
Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP): State rental support for persons living with disabilities who are between the ages of 18-60.
Section 8: Federal rental assistance for low-income households.
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*Note: As of January 2025, the Housing Choice Voucher Program/Section 8 mobile voucher waiting list is currently closed.*
Homeownership
MyMassHome: One-stop website for first time homebuyer programs and affordable homeownership listings.
First-Time Homebuyer and Foreclosure Prevention Counseling: Assistance to prospective new homeowners to ensure they are savvy purchasers and current homeowners at risk of foreclosure to help them avoid that outcome.
Home Repair Loans for Homeowners: Affordable loan programs through MassHousing for energy efficiency, lead paint removal, septic repair, and more.
City Level
Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance: CMHA mobilizes a comprehensive regional response to homelessness and fosters long-term housing stability through advocacy, education, and direct services. CMHA also processes all RAFT applications for Worcester residents.
RCAP Solutions: RCAP Solutions serves low income individuals and families, seniors and individuals with disabilities as well as homeowners and landlords. They offer housing workshops and counseling as well as assist with subsidized housing and rental assistance.
Worcester Housing Authority: WHA enhances the Worcester community by creating
and sustaining decent, safe, and affordable housing that champions stability and self-sufficiency for its residents.
Legal Aid
State Level
Private Lawyer Referral Services
(617) 654-0400
Toll-free: (866) MASS-LRS (866) 627-7577
Free Legal Representation for Low-Income Individuals
Free Small Claims Court Advice
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Harvard University Small Claims Advisory Service (student program)
(833) 365-7227
Free Legal Services for Low Income Landlords
City Level
Private Lawyer Referral Services
(508) 752-1311
Toll-free: (800) 622-9700
Free Legal Representation for Low-Income Individuals
(855) 252-5342
TTY: (508) 755-3260
MassHealth
State Level
Executive Office of Health and Human Services – Office of Medicaid (MassHealth)
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MassHealth provides health benefits to eligible individuals and families. MassHealth may offer benefits directly or help pay for all or part of your health insurance premiums.
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MassHealth covers services comparable to commercial insurance and services not covered by other insurances (long-term service and support; behavioral health services).
Customer Service Center: (800) 841-2900 Hours: Self-service: Available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish All other services: Available Monday through Friday; 8am – 5pm; Interpreter service available
Constituents can call for help with eligibility, MassHealth benefits, replacing your MassHealth card, enrolling in a health plan, getting a MassHealth application, MassHealth and Children's Medical Security Plan premiums.
My Ombudsman: https://www.myombudsman.org/ or 855-781-9898 Hours: Weekdays 9am - 4pm
Constituents can call My Ombudsman for help accessing the benefits and services covered by their plan. My Ombudsman is an independent program operated by the Disability Policy Consortium (DPC) through a contract with MassHealth.
City Level
MassHealth Enrollment Center
50 SW Cutoff, Suite 1A
Worcester, MA 01604
Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center – Enrollment Assister
19 Tacoma Street
Worcester, MA 01605
508-852-1805
Unemployment
State Level
Department of Unemployment Assistance – Unemployment Insurance (UI)
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UI provides state-funded payments to individuals who have been laid-off or fired without cause or have had their hours significantly reduced. Individuals may qualify for up to $1,105 a week for up to 30 weeks.
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If you’re not sure about your eligibility, you should still apply for benefits.
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Utilities
State Level
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Call 211 if you are having trouble paying a utility bill or need help finding lower-cost options for phone or internet.
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities – Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
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This program provides assistance through a fixed benefit amount for the cost of the primary source of heat which includes, but is not limited to: Oil, Electricity, Natural gas, Propane, Kerosene, Wood, and Coal.
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If eligible, discounts are automatically applied to gas, electric, and/or telephone bills
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Eligibility is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member, 18 years of age or older. Household income cannot exceed 60% of estimated State Median Income.
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Apply online or in-person at the HEAP agency in your area
Payment Assistance
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Arrearage management programs: Provides financial assistance to eligible low‑income customers with active utility accounts that have outstanding or past due bills. When enrolled customers make a monthly payment, a portion of their past due balance will be eliminated or “forgiven,” reducing the amount they owe.
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Budget billing: A program in which your gas or electric company estimates your annual energy usage, divides that projected cost into 12 equal monthly payments, and bills you the same amount each month. In the 12th month, the company will reconcile your bill based on your actual usage.
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Payment plans: If you are struggling to pay your monthly energy bills and have a past due balance, a payment plan can help catch you up. You will pay off overdue charges by making a set monthly payment in addition to your current bill.
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**For all of these programs, please contact your utility company for more information (Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Berkshire Gas, or Liberty Utilities)**
Additional Resources
City Level
Worcester’s HEAP Agency is:
Worcester Community Action Council
18 Chestnut St., Suite 500, Worcester, MA 01608
Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: (508) 754-1176
Fax: (508) 463-9696
Worcester 311
City Level
311 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects you with customer service center representatives to help you with requests for non-emergency City of Worcester services and information.