Christmas 2023 Campaign NATIONS UNITED RESOURCE FAIR June 24th from 9am-1pm at the Timao Center 371 Bay St. Fall River MA Sponsorship: School Finder Helpline (800) 208-2242 Citizenship DACA TPS Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Temporary Protected Status Individual Tax Identification Number Application ITIN Translation Portuguese and Spanish Consular Services Application and appointments New England Community Center School Department Health National Grid Bank account Photos Discounts, payment plans, and more Agencies Enrolling children in kindergarten Consultations, vaccines and more Open checking and savings account We will post photos of the event on June 25th all participants of the day

Rental Assistance If you need help with rent or paying your mortgage, MA offers several assistance programs, one of which is NeighborWorks Housing Solutions. If you have a passport you can apply here. ​ In this program, the accepted documentation is: There are four categories of documentation: ID for head of household: This document must include the full name of the head of household and date of birth. Examples include a state-issued driver's license, birth certificate, or passport. No photo needed Expired IDs will be accepted Proof of Current Housing This includes a lease agreement, lease agreement or um lease form at will . You can work with your landlord to create a simple lease agreement, even if you don't currently have one in place. A tenancy agreement is an agreement between a landlord and a tenant that specifies the terms and conditions of the lessee's temporary possession of the property, space or room, usually for a short period of time, which automatically renews unless the lessee or landlord terminates by giving written notice. Housing crisis check (applicants must demonstrate that they are at risk of becoming homeless), may include: Expired rent notice Judicial subpoenas notice to leave eviction notice Host letter (if folded) Proof of Income ALL family members must prove income eligibility in ONE of the following ways Assumed Eligibility: Families receiving benefits from the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) or most MassHealth plans (verified online) are considered eligible and do not need to submit documentation. OR Benefit Letters: families can demonstrate income eligibility with a letter or form dated 1st January 1st Tax Year , or later, for one of the following benefit programs: Public housing (state or federal) Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) State housing vouchers: MRVP (Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program), AHVP (Alternative Housing Voucher Program), DMH (Department of Mental Health) or DDS (Department of Developmental Services) housing vouchers LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Subsidized Day Care in Massachusetts Veterans Chapter 115 Benefits OR Annual income: households can qualify based on annual income by submitting their previous income tax return (Form 1040 or 1040EZ). Families who qualify based on their tax return do not need to provide proof of current monthly income. OR Self-submitted documents showing current monthly income: Monthly job income can be verified by two paychecks from the last 60 days for each job Monthly income from other sources can be verified by the most recent benefit letters (social security, child support, unemployment, etc.) For more information enterhere . Another state program includes Public Housing. To apply for public housing with state aid, you must use the Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public Housing (CHAMP). You can apply using CHAMP online at thissite o u in person by filling out a form. Online and paper entries are available in Portuguesehere . ​ If you have a disability, you have the right to request reasonable accommodation during the application process. To do this, contact them. Apply Online: If you think you have applied for state-assisted public housing before, you can search your application _cc7819 -5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ at thissite. If you have never applied for state-assisted public housing before, you can create a new account online. Using an online account will allow you to make changes to your application in real time and allow a Local Housing Authority to contact you directly if they need to request additional information. ​When applying online, pay close attention to sections marked with an asterisk (*). If these questions are left blank, your application will be incomplete and will not be fully processed. apply on paper To download a paper CHAMP application form, please refer to the list below. For your application to be complete, you must provide all required (*) information and sign the Candidate Certification AND Fair Information Practices Act - Bill of Rights. At the end of your CHAMP application, you will need to select housing programs at each Local Housing Authority where you wish to apply. It is important to only apply for housing programs with the Local Housing Authorities where you wish to live.​ When you have completed the entire paper form, mail or hand-mail it to a Local Housing Authority. You will only need to submit your application to an LHA. Once your completed CHAMP form has been received by a Local Housing Authority, they will enter your information into the CHAMP database and you will be able to access it online using your Application Identification Number. Note: All information provided on your application will need to be verified by a Local Housing Authority before any offers of housing are made. ​ ​ In betweenhere for a list of agencies in your city that help with the application. Just enter your city at the top of the form.

WIC Nutrition Program WIC is a Nutrition for Women, Babies and Children program that provides a monthly amount for families to buy food for pregnant women and also children aged 0-5 years old. This service is offered regardless of where you are here in America. ​ To enroll in the program, just go to an agency closest to you. Here this is a list of all of them. Or get into it page and fill in the necessary information, and someone who speaks Portuguese will get back to you to make an appointment at an agency closest to you. ​ At your appointment you will need to bring the following information: Proof of current household income. Bring proof of income for everyone in your household. Examples include: A recent payslip (within 30 days) A letter from an employer If you currently receive o MassHealth / Medicaid , Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or TAFDC , you can bring proof of your participation in one of these programs as proof of family income. Proof that you live in Massachusetts. Examples include: utility bill Postmarked correspondence addressed to you at your address Rent or rent receipt Driving license or other identification card Identity proof. Take identity for everyone who will be part of the program. Examples include: Driver's license Birth certificate MassHealth Card Work or school card Passport ​ ​

How can I enter a treatment program? Talk to a specialist at 800.327.5050 to find out about types of treatment and options near you. Here are some more tips to help you get into treatment: 1. Make calls to treatment programs first thing in the morning. 2. Be persistent. Call programs back every hour or two, even if a program asks you to call them back the next day. For some services, like Withdrawal Management (formerly known as Detox), there are more people calling than available services. Don't let this put you off, keep calling until there is a vacancy for treatment. 3. Remember that Withdrawal Management may not be the starting point. The Helpline will provide you with options that suit your needs. 4. Be kind even if you are frustrated. Treatment providers are trying to help many people get into treatment. 5. Please continue to check in with Helpline staff. We may have new information about program availability. 1. Try an Opioid Emergency Care Center near you. There are three walk-in programs in the MA. You can access treatment in Massachusetts with or without health insurance

know your rights

Restraining Order - 209A What can you do to ask for some protection against a person who is physically or emotionally abusing you? Here there is a court order which is called a restraining order which is form 209A. This is a civil order that you have the right to enforce in court during regular hours, or with the police outside court hours. This order orders the defendant to: -not to contact you personally or through third parties -to stay away from your home, work, school, and yourself. To apply for an order, it is necessary to go to the Clerks Office at the courthouse. In the state of MA every court has a person called Safeplan Advocate assigned to help you with filling out the forms and also who can give you emotional support and refer you to services that can help you with other needs that you may have that derive from your current situation. These Safeplan advocates are people who work at the courthouse, but who are employed by the domestic violence agency to help victims who pass through there. I always like to make it very clear that there is no immigration or police involved when you go in to make an order like this in court. I'll explain what it takes to ask for an order, and then I'll give an example of a process for someone arriving to place one. First: The protective measure order is made against a person who: -you have or had a romantic relationship -or who is the parent of one of your children -or who live or have lived together in the same residence, -Or blood relatives. Second: That this person: -has committed or attempted to commit physical aggression against you -or that you fear that this person is about to physically harm you -or that this person used physical force, threat, or coercion to force you to perform sexual acts against your will Third: You must have the person's first and last name and also the full address. Without this information it will not be possible to apply for an order. Here is the protective measure order form Step-by-step example of what happens when you arrive at court: -Go to the clerks office and say that you need a protective order called a restraining order. Right there, if you don't speak English, ask for a translator. Even if you speak a little English, it is important that you ask for the translator now so that you don't have to wait so long for one to arrive to help you with your audience. -Clerk will give you the papers and refer you to a Safeplan Advocate. -Inside the room you will sit down and tell a little of your story, fill out the papers, including a sworn statement. In case you don't speak English, you will fill this paper in Portuguese, and the translator will make the necessary translation. Soon after, the safeplan advocate will give you some necessary information and will hand the forms back to the clerks so they can put them in the system. -In the case of people who have children with the defendant, it will be necessary to fill out a second form where you will be able to enter information about the children. There you will be able to choose to have full custody, choose whether to let him have contact with the child, and how the visit will be. -The clerks will tell you which courtroom your case will be heard in. -You will enter this room and sit until your name is called. -When called, the judge will ask you some questions and at that moment it is very important that you explain why you need this order. -If the judge decides to approve your order, it will only be valid for 10 days. -You will go back to the clerks office to pick up the copy of the approved order and there you will have the next date to appear in court, which will be 10 days. - Within these 10 days, the defendant will be served the court papers where he learns that there is a protective measure order against him, and that he has the right to appear on that date. -When you appear in court for your second hearing, the defendant may or may not appear, and it is up to the judge to extend the order up to 1 year. It is important to know that: -If the defendant has firearms, he will be obliged to hand them all over to the police. -If the defendant lives in the house, and his order includes his address where he cannot approach, he will have to leave the house as soon as the papers are served and he will not be able to approach the place._cc781905-5cde- 3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ -If there are children involved, what was chosen on the form regarding them will also be in effect until the date that the order of the protective measure expires. -This order is Civil, and becomes criminal the moment the defendant violates the terms stipulated by it. -If you have any violation of this order, call the police immediately and explain what happened. In this case, the defendant will be arrested, depending on the violation, he pays a bail and remains in freedom until the date of the new hearing. Here is the list of agencies that offer Safeplan Advocates in court ​ ​ ​ ​

HOUSING Electricity / Gas Internet and TV Furniture and household goods Affordable clothing and household items Food Pantries SNAP - Monthly Food Assistance . . Shelter Search for apartment/house for rent Heat financial assistance Rent financial assistance Electricity bill discounts for families with infants . . .

Shelter SAFELINK is a phone line that has access to all shelters in the state of MA. If you need emergency housing, they offer several locations that offer a temporary place. If you are a victim of domestic violence, they offer specific places for victims. ​ To speak with someone, call the SAFELINK 877-785-2020 and press number 3 for Portuguese. Safelink has information on every shelter in the state of MA that has any bedding available. Process: Once you call Safelink and talk to someone. They will connect you to whatever shelter is available. Each shelter has a similar process, they will do an intake which is some personal questions, and then they can tell you if you can go now, or they can say that they will evaluate the applications they received and that they will contact you. If you are a victim of domestic violence it is important to let the operator know. Victims of domestic violence are treated more urgently to find a safe place. In every shelter there will be case workers who will help you with the next step of finding somewhere to live and other assistance you may need. ​ If you don't have a way to get there, let the person who is assisting you know. There are several programs that offer Uber cards to get you to the shelter. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Internet and cable TV Comcast is one of several companies that offer cable TV and internet services here in MA. They also offer home and cell phone lines. ​ To sign up for their services, just call 1-800-266-2278 . For Spanish press number nine. They will ask you to enter your zip code, then ask if you are a new customer, and ask for your phone number. Once transferred to a representative and just ask for someone who speaks Portuguese, or say "Habla Espanol?" and they will get someone who speaks their language. ​ If you only have the passport to open the account, they will ask you to provide a card number where $25 will be charged and applied to your first account, and the monthly amount will be automatically taken from your account. They also give you the option of paying a $100 deposit and not having to give your bank card for the monthly amount to be deducted. This $100 will be refunded after one year as a credit to your account. ​ To find out more about the services they offer, click here. *On the right side of the page there is an option for the page to be translated into Spanish, but if you have the Google plug in you can translate it to Portuguese. Comcast offers free or low cost internet services for people who receive government benefits such as SNAP, MassHealth, WIC and others...This program is called Internet Essentials, for more information go to their website. ​ You also have the option to buy a cheap laptop for only $149.00 through this program. ​ ​ ​

FINANCE How to use check Credit card Income tax Venmo . . . . How to build your credit How to use the bank drive-thru Bank account (coming soon) . . . . .

Health insurance How do I apply for MassHealth? By phone: Call to1-800-272-4232 and press option 3 for Portuguese. Your call will be answered by HCFA (Health Insurance for All) professionals where you can apply safely and professionally at no cost! TO ACCESS THE SITE ENTERHERE ​ ​Personally: There are places that can help you complete and submit your application online. You can find a list of organizations here. Just put where you live and the system will show you the closest places. ​ Remembering that thehealthfirst in Fall River MA, can meet residents from across Massachusetts in person. They speak Portuguese and Spanish, and make your application all the time. If you have all the necessary documents in hand, the application takes around 20 minutes and you will be approved for insurance if you are eligible. After 2 hours of approval, the system generates the membership number that you can use while waiting for the card to arrive at your home. ​ Online: The most practical way to complete the application and submit the necessary documents is through the Health Connector state portal. In between here on the website where you can create your account, complete everything online, and submit all documentation. This way, you will also have full control of what is happening regarding the health plan and other benefits. Request the form by phone: Call MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TTY: 1-800-496-4648 for people with partial or complete hearing loss) and they can mail you an application._cc781905-5cde -3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ ​ Submit your completed application along with proof of income for everyone working da family, identity , and if you have send it too copy from citizenship or green card to: MassHealth Registration Center – CPU. PO Box 290794, Charlestown, MA 02129-0214. ​

FREE OR LOW COST ATTORNEYS Agencies across the State of MA that provides free or low-cost legal services​ to victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. ​ Barnstable ​ South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (Hyannis Office) West Main Street, 460 Hyannis Phone: (508) 775-7020 Phone 2: (800) 742-4107 URL: http://sccls.org/ South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS) provides free civil legal services to low-income and senior citizens in their communities. SCCLS offers free legal services in the areas of housing law, family law, government benefits including social security and disability, seniority law, educational law and consumer law. South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. serves Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth Counties, and the cities of Avon and Stoughton. WE CAN 783 Route 28 Harwich Port, MA 02646 Phone: (508) 430-8111 Fax: (888) 694-6199 URL: https://www.wecancenter.org/ Email: info@wecancenter.org WE CAN offers free legal services to low- and moderate-income women. Lawyers specializing in the following areas: family law: divorce, custody and child support, wills and property, real estate, employment, immigration, landlord-tenant issues, contracts and debt and consumer issues. We also serve Harwich Port, Hyannis and Falmouth. Bristol ​ South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (Fall River Office) 22 Bedford Street, 1st Floor Fall River, MA 02720 Phone: (800) 287-3777 Phone 2: (508) 676-6265 Fax: (508) 678-5861 URL: http://sccls.org/ South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS) provides free civil legal services to low-income and senior citizens in their communities. SCCLS offers free legal services in the areas of housing law, family law, government benefits including social security and disability, seniority law, educational law and consumer law. South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. We also serve Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth Counties, and the cities of Avon and Stoughton. Essex Northeast Legal Aid, Inc. (Lawrence Office) 50 Island Street, Suite 203A Lawrence, MA 01840 Phone: (978) 458-1465 URL: https://www.northeastlegalaid.org/ Northeast Legal Aid, Inc. (NLA) has full-service offices in Lynn, Lowell and Lawrence Massachusetts. NLA's legal services range from community legal education and counseling and advice to full representation in complex litigation. NLA attorneys and paralegals deal with a wide range of civil legal issues, including: evictions and housing foreclosures, consumer debt, public benefits, veterans' legal needs, seniors' legal needs, community development, health law, domestic violence and victims of crimes and survivors of homicide victims with civil legal needs resulting from those crimes. Most NLA services are limited to those who meet certain financial eligibility requirements, unless you are a victim of crime or a survivor of a homicide victim with a related legal need. Northeast Legal Aid, Inc. (Lynn Office) 181 Union Street, Suite 201B Lynn, MA 01901 Phone: (978) 458-1465 URL: https://www.northeastjusticecenter.org/ Northeast Legal Aid, Inc. (NLA) provides legal services to low-income individuals. The NLA provides legal assistance in the areas of immigration, housing/mortgage, public benefits, senior citizen and/or crime victim rights, and survivor assistance to homicide victims. Hampden Massachusetts justice project 57 Suffolk Street, 4th Floor, Suite 401 Holyoke Phone: (413) 533-2660 URL: http://ww.mlri.org/ The Massachusetts Justice Project provides legal services to low-income individuals and families. The Massachusetts Justice Project offers legal assistance in the following areas: family law, housing, social security, unemployment benefits, government benefits, emergency relief shelter, bankruptcy or debt collection, and more. The Massachusetts Justice Project serves tmaben Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Berkshire and Worcester. middlesex Boston College Legal Services LAB Experiential Learning Center 855 Center Street, 3rd Floor Stuart Building Newton, MA 02459 Phone: (617) 552-02459 URL: http://bclawlab.org/ Email: bclegalserviceslab@bc.edu Boston College Legal Services LAB is a law firm in practice within Boston College Law. Practice areas include: civil litigation (family law), community enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation, housing, juvenile rights, immigration and the appeals program (provides pro bono representation to non-citizens with criminal convictions ). Boston College Legal Services LAB serves Middlesex County. Community Legal Advisory and Services Center 47 Thorndike Street, Suite SB-LL-1 Cambridge, MA 02141 Phone: (617) 661-1010 Fax: (617) 661-1011 URL: https://www.denovo.org/ The Community Legal Advice and Services Center (CLSACC) provides free civil legal assistance and affordable psychological counseling to low-income people. CLSACC provides services to victims of domestic violence, families and seniors at risk of homelessness, people with disabilities and victims of torture, gender-based violence, human trafficking, domestic violence and other types of crime. The Center provides legal assistance in the areas of family law and domestic violence, housing and homelessness prevention, disability benefits, and immigration and refugee rights. Greater Boston Legal Services (Cambridge/Somerville Office) 60 Gore Street, Suite 203 Cambridge, MA 02141 Phone: (617) 603-2700 URL: https://www.gbls.org/ Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provides free legal assistance and representation on civil (non-criminal) matters to low-income residents in the City of Boston and surrounding cities and towns. Areas of legal issues include, but are not limited to: elder support, employment support, family support (restraint orders, security planning to prevent abuse, divorce, etc.), disability support, housing support , immigration support and DTA representation, cash benefits, food stamps and more. metrowest Legal Services 63 Fountain Street, Suite 304 Framingham Hotline: (800) 696-1501 Phone: (508) 620-1830 URL: https://mwlegal.org/ MetroWest Legal Services (MWLS) provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals. MWLS' priority areas of practice include: family law (domestic violence), housing, homeless advocacy, government benefits (including social security), education, elder law and immigration. Metrowest Legal Services serves Middlesex County. Northeast Legal Aid (Lowell Office) 35 John Street, Suite 302 Lowell, MA 01852 Telephone: (978) 458-1465 URL: https://www.northeastlegalaid.org/ Northeast Legal Aid (NLA) provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families and seniors in northeastern Massachusetts. NLA attorneys and legal assistants handle a wide range of civil legal issues including: evictions and home mortgages, consumer debt, public benefits, public benefits, legal needs of veterans and seniors, immigration issues, community development, right to health and domestic violence. plymouth South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (Brockton Office) Southeast Massachusetts Justice Center LLC 231 Main Street, Suite 201 Brockton, MA 02301 Phone: (508) 586-2110 Phone 2: (800) 244-8393 URL: http://sccls.org/ South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS) provides free civil legal services to low-income and senior citizens in their communities. SCCLS offers free legal services in the areas of housing law, family law, government benefits including social security and disability, seniority law, educational law and consumer law. South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. We also serve Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth Counties, and the cities of Avon and Stoughton. Suffolk Greater Boston Legal Services (Main Office) 197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (800) 323-3205 Phone 2: (617) 371-1234 Fax: (617) 371-1222 URL: https://www.gbls.org/ Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provides free legal assistance and representation on civil (non-criminal) matters to low-income residents in the City of Boston and surrounding cities and towns. Areas of legal issues include, but are not limited to: elder support, employment support, family support (restraint orders, security planning to prevent abuse, divorce, etc.), disability support, housing support , immigration support and DTA representation, cash benefits, food stamps and more. The Center for Legal Services at Harvard Law School 122 Boylston Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Phone: (617) 522-3003 Fax: (617) 522-0715 URL: https://www.legalservicescenter.org/about-the-legal-services-center/our-clinics/ Harvard Law School's Center for Legal Services provides legal assistance to low-income individuals and families. The Center's legal advocacy is organized into the following practice areas: The Safety Net Project is intended for disabled or injured veterans seeking to prove eligibility for disability-related incidents; estate planning, family law and domestic violence, federal tax unit, housing and more. The Harvard Law School Legal Services Center serves Suffolk County. Volunteer Lawyers Project 99 Chauncy Street, Suite 400 Boston, MA 02111 Hotline: (617) 603-1700 Phone: (617) 423-0648 Fax: (617) 423-0061 URL: https://vlpnet.org/ The Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) provides legal help for survivors of domestic violence, tenants facing eviction, people with limited English proficiency in need of a divorce attorney, and more. The Volunteer Lawyers Project serves Suffolk County and a few towns in Plymouth, Norfolk and Middlesex counties. Worcester Community Legal Aid, Inc. (Worcester Office) 405 Main Street, 4th Floor Worcester, MA 01608 Telephone: (800) 649-3718Phone 2: (855) 252-5342 Fax: (508) 752-5918 URL: https://communitylegal.org/ Community Legal Aid, Inc. (CLA) provides free civil legal services to low-income and senior residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA represents clients in legal areas including: family and children (domestic violence), seniors law, housing and homelessness, immigration and benefits and employment. ​ ​