Available Assistance for Charlemont Residents
Looking for Assistance in Charlemont?
Programs that cover multiple types of assistance
Lifepath is dedicated to the well-being of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers. They provide person-centered service coordination, education and support. https://lifepathma.org/
Community Action Pioneer Valley Assists people who have low incomes to achieve economic stability and security and work to build communities in which all people have the opportunity to thrive (programs include fuel assistance, education and learning programs)
https://www.communityaction.us/about/
Massachusetts 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by counselors that can get you the help you need who can assist you with almost any challenge such as childcare options, workforce retraining, mental health issues, housing, and rental assistance. www.mass211help.org
https://www.communityaction.us/about/Communities that Care Coalition. Extensive links and resources for many types of help. See more at https://communitiesthatcarecoalition.com/resources/
Food Assistance
Food Assistance Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps) benefits help low-income families buy nutritious food at most grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies. www.mass.gov/snap Phone: 866-950-3663
Good neighbors Food Distribution: 4-5:30pm (3rd Tues of the month) Charlemont Federated Church
Health Insurance and Medical Bills
MassHealth Pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people living in Massachusetts. www.mass.gov/masshealth Phone: 800-841-2900
Sanford H Fife Fund, offered to residents of Charlemont to pay balances that are owed to Baystate Franklin Medical Center and its Baystate Health affiliates. This program is income qualified and requires an application to be filled out. Applications are mailed to Baystate Franklin Medical Center and can be picked up at town hall or emailed via the Town Clerk or Town Administrator.
VETERANS’ BENEFITS Department of Veterans’ Services Benefits and resources for veterans and their families may be available through your local Veterans’ Service Officer. www.mass.gov/veterans Phone: 617-210-5480
Heating Assistance
West County Wood Bank income qualified residents can receive a cord of wood. Email administrator@townofcharlemont.org or call 413-339-4335
Housing Assistance
Mass Housing Consumer Education Centers Nine Centers across Massachusetts provide Housing Information and Referrals. Connect to resources on foreclosure prevention, rental assistance, and subsidies, housing search, transitional and support housing for the homeless, and more. www.masshousinginfo.org Phone: 800-224-5124
Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA). Multiple programs including one-on-one housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, get the lead out, first time home buyer workshops, financial workshops, and rental voucher programs, there are also programs for landlords. HRA also has a Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP), The Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) is a loan program that was established in 1999 by the MA state legislature. HMLP funds give homeowners the opportunity to modify or adapt their homes for a household member of any age with professionally documented limitation(s) or disability. HMLP offers loans from $1,000 to $50,000 to property owners at 0%. Borrowers sign a promisorry note, and a mortgage is recorded as a lien against the property to secure these loans. HMLP can also lend from $1,000 to $30,000 to owners of manufactured or mobile homes. Landlords with fewer than 10 units may be eligible for a 3% loan for a tenant who has a functional limitation. Borrowers sign a promisorry note and a UCC-1 is filed against the home to secure these loans.
Please note that this is not a home repair program. For instance, HMLP would not be able to rebuild a deck without modifying it in some way. Projects funded by HMLP can include remps and lifts, bathroom and kitchen adaptations, sensory integration spaces, fencing, as well as accessory dwelling units. This is far from an exhaustive list. If you are curious or have questions, please contact Mike Blasco at 413-223-5228 or mblasco@fcrhra.org or watch an informational video: Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) - HRA (fcrhra.org)
Housing Rehabilitation Program
The Town of Charlemont with the town of Wendell as the lead town, was awarded funding through a Community Development Block Grant to run a housing rehabilitation program. Charlemont participates in this program through the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority. This program offers loans that are 0% interest and deferred payment (meaning you make no monthly payments) and provide an affordable means for homeowners to bring their homes into compliance with building codes, perform needed repairs, and weatherize their homes. Depending on the severity of the building code violations on the property, applicants may be eligible for loans of up to $50,000. For more information about the program visit the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment website:
https://fcrhra.org/housing-rehabilitation-program/
USDA Housing Program
