Services:

The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, or DTA, is the state agency which administers all state-funded emergency programs. These include:

Food Assistance (www.mass.gov/snap)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/SNAP
Formerly the Food Stamps Program, SNAP benefits are provided by the federal government and administered by DTA. Residents of the Commonwealth who participate in SNAP are families with children, elders and disabled.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits Hotline:
1-866-950-FOOD (3663)
The SNAP Benefits Hotline provides information on how you may qualify and apply for SNAP benefits.

Cash Assistance (www.mass.gov/dta/assistance)
Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC): Provides cash assistance to families with children and pregnant women in the last 120 days of pregnancy, with little to no assets or income. Participants receive child care and transportation support associated with job assistance and can access a number of supportive referrals to substance abuse and/or mental health services, and domestic violence specialists. As part of TAFDC, participants may be required to perform a work-related activity in order to receive benefits.

Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC): Provides cash assistance to those in need to stabilize their lives. Recipients must meet certain eligibility criteria.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Cash assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration for the elderly (over age 65) and disabled. Assists the elderly and certain categories of long-term disabled residents to receive SSI benefits. For more information on SSI eligibility, contact the Social Security Administration.

Employment Services Program (ESP) (www.mass.gov/dta/work)
Assists clients in finding jobs, resolving barriers to employment and providing a way to self-sufficiency. ESP is an employment-oriented program that is structured within the following two areas:

Employment Programs: Provides clients with the basic skills, education, occupational skills and support services needed to acquire and retain jobs.

Support Services: Offers a variety of programs to support clients to acquire and maintain employment. Some of these supports include coordination of child care and transportation services as well as referrals to supports offered by other state agencies.

Help for Victims of Domestic Violence on Public Assistance
(www.mass.gov/dta/domesticviolence)
The DTA Domestic Violence Unit was created to support TAFDC workers in managing their domestic violence cases. Each area office is assigned one of the specialists to consult in domestic violence cases.

Application Information Unit: 1-800-249-2007; M-F: 8:45am – 5pm
Provides information and answers questions on how to apply for assistance and for services offered by DTA.

Requirements / Restrictions:

Different programs have different eligibility requirements. Ask about requirements for specific programs.
Ask what you should bring when you apply for a specific program. Application to most programs will require identification with name and address, proof of income, and social security numbers for all members of your household; they may also ask to see your discharge papers. If you are not a citizen, bring proof of legal non-citizen status.

Other locations:

DTA SSI Centralized Office
200 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148 1-800-590-4820
M-F 7:45am to 5pm
Serves SSI clients who live alone and receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through Bay State Cap. SSI clients wanting to apply for additional benefits should contact their local DTA office. If you are unsure of where to call, please call the Application Information Hotline at 1-800-249-2007.

Roxbury:
Dudley Square, 2201 Washington Street, 02119; 617-989-6000
Mon-Fri 7:30am to 5pm
Any of numerous buses going to Dudley Square.

Boston, Newmarket Square:
1010 Massachusetts Ave. 02118; 617-989-2200
Mon-Fri 7:30am to 5pm
Bus: #8 from Dudley Square or bus: #10 from Andrew Station or Copley Square.

Revere:
80 Everett Ave, Chelsea; 781-551-1700
M-F 7am to 5pm

Get a Google map for this location.

MBTA service near this location.

(Categories for this entry: Emergency Assistance, Employment, Food, Fuel Assistance)