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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. ​ ​ ​

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CREDIT CARD If you are interested in opening a credit card, it is important that you understand the difference and benefits of each one. Below is a list of credit cards that only need the TIN (individual tax number) to apply. Depending on your credit history, you have two options: Credit card, and the secure credit card for people who don't have credit or are trying to get a bad history. A secure credit card works just like a regular card, but the difference is that you place a deposit of the amount of the line of credit you need. If you want a $1,000 line of credit, you will contact the company that offers the secure card, and they will send that amount to them. You will use it like a normal card, and that's how you build your credit. ​ Here is a list of some normal cards that can be opened using just the TIN number (individual tax number) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ To keep track of your credit, Equifax's website offers full monitoring of what's on your behalf, such as open accounts, payment history, and more. Depending on your plan of choice, for a small monthly fee. Go to the website for more information: ​ ​ ​ ​ Having good credit helps with buying a car, renting, buying a house, borrowing from the bank and many other things. If you can't open a regular card, start with the prepaid until you have an up-to-date payment history so that you can be approved for a regular card in the future. chase Capital One American Express apple Care Credit

RESOURCES AND AGENCIES Here you have information of all the agencies that offer services confidential and free of charge for victims regardless of their immigration status. ​ SafeLink is a Massachusetts toll-free domestic violence hotline 24/7 and a resource for anyone affected by violence domestic or dating. 877-785-2020 If you are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH), call 711 - MassRelay Service. Attendants are bilingual in English and Spanish and have access to a service that can offer translation in more than 130 languages. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers 24/7 safety assistance and planning. 1-800-799-SEGURO (7233) TTY 1-800-787-3224 If you can't speak safely, you can chat online ​ If you are a deaf or hard of hearing victim of domestic violence, help is available. The Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) provides services for deaf and hard of hearing victims of crime. 617-740-1600 TTY 617-740-1700 VP 617-326-7546 Contact the MCDHH online The National Deaf Hotline has advocates available 24/7 for crisis intervention, education and referrals for deaf survivors. 855-812-1001 hotline@adwas.org Online chat Victim Bill of Rights Handouts SAFEPLAN leaflets ​ ​ Statewide - all counties Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Inc. Fenway Health Massachusetts Legal Aid Corporation (MLAC) The Network / La Red Triangle, Inc. barnstable county Catholic Social Services (Hyannis) Independence House Inc. Berkshire county Department of Transitional Assistance Elizabeth Freeman Center - Great Barrington Elizabeth Freeman Center - North Adams Elizabeth Freeman Center - Pittsfield bristol county Catholic Social Services (Fall River) Catholic Social Services (New Bedford) Health Imperatives Inc. New Bedford Women's Center New Hope, Inc. Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, Inc. (SSTAR) Juvenile Trauma Program at JRI Dukes county Catholic Social Services (Fall River) Catholic Social Services (Hyannis) Catholic Social Services (New Bedford) Martha's Vineyard Community Services Essex county Merrimack Valley Family Services - Essex County CASA Program Greater Lynn Senior Services, Inc. Healing Abuse, Working for Change, Inc. (HAWC) Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center Jewish Service for Families and Children Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) Gateway to Hope JRI Trauma Center YWCA of Northeast Massachusetts Franklin County Clinical and support options Department of Transitional Assistance New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT) Trauma Institute and Child Trauma Institute Hampden county Alliance Behavioral Health Network Hilltown Community Health Centers, Inc. Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) Trauma Institute and Child Trauma Institute Western Massachusetts YWCA county of hampshire Center for Women and Community at UMass Amherst Clinical and support options Department of Transitional Assistance Hilltown Community Health Centers, Inc. Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) safe passage Trauma Institute and Child Trauma Institute middlesex county Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Casa Myrna Again Domestic Violence Services Network Greater Lynn Senior Services, Inc. Jewish Service for Families and Children Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) (Cambridge) Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) Rising Gateway to Hope Public Health Defense Institute REACH Beyond Domestic Violence RESPOND, Inc. Care for the riverside community South Middlesex Opportunity Council The Key Program, Inc. The Second Step, Inc. JRI Trauma Center Transition House Wayside Youth and Families Support Network county of nantucket a safe place Catholic Social Services (Fall River) Catholic Social Services (Hyannis) Catholic Social Services (New Bedford) norfolk county Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center DOVE Health Imperatives Inc. Jewish Service for Families and Children Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) Public Health Defense Institute REACH Beyond Domestic Violence JRI Trauma Center Wayside Youth and Families Support Network plymouth county Catholic Social Services (Hyannis) Health Imperatives Inc. Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center/Southeast Family Services Suffolk county Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center boston medical center Brigham and Women's Hospital Casa Myrna Community Health Education Research and Service Center, Inc. (CCHERS) FINEX House, Inc. Greater Boston Legal Services, Inc. HarborCOV Jewish Service for Families and Children Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) (Brighton) Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) Rising Public Health Defense Institute Stone house JRI Trauma Center Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (UUUM) Worcester county Ascentria Community Services, Inc. Behavioral Health Network HOUSE Project Clinical and support options Community Healthlink, Inc. Department of Transitional Assistance Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) New Hope, Inc. JRI Trauma Center Wayside Youth and Families Support Network YWCA Central Massachusetts

How to obtain a Home Day Care License If you care for children under 14 at home, or up to 16 if you have special needs, it is important to have your "Family Child Care Provider" license from the Massachusetts Department of Education and Care. (EEC - Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care). You need to have the social or ITIN to complete the process. If you are expecting to receive any of these documents, you can start and complete up to the second step. ​ This is a low-cost process that involves: -Inscriptions on the websites to create your account. -Free courses on the internet where it also provides all the information about what qualifies a house to be used as a home day care (nursery) -Medical exam -Background check for all persons residing in the home -Visit of the inspector at your home -Licensing after everything is complete and approved ​ Order of expenses: -CPR/First Aid Course (Around $78) -Medical examination depending on your insurance and the cost of the office consultation you go to. -Background Check ($35 for each family member) -License fee after the whole process is completed $100. ​ To obtain your license, just follow the information for each step below: ​ First step: ​ Apply to the Professional Qualification Register to obtain the PQR number. You will enter the link below and go to the bottom of the page, click on the last link that says Massachusetts EEC Professional Qualifications Registry (state.ma.us) www.eec.state.ma.us/PQRegistry/ ​ Tip : no to the translate this application page if you are using your cell phone, as you will not be able to complete some of the questions required to complete the application. This part of the registry and the second one are the only ones that have to be used in English. ​ Second stage: ​ Using that number you got on the website above, create your account to complete the course which will be in Portuguese or in the language of your choice. Create your account: https://strongstart.eoe.mass.gov/ ​ Tip : no to the translate this application page if you are using your cell phone, as it will not be possible to fill in some of the questions necessary to complete the application. Here you will have the option to choose the language you want the whole system to be in. ​ Now with your account created, you will enter the same site (https://strongstart.eoe.mass.gov/) To access the course portal. Click on the magnifying glass on the left side of the screen, and search for: EEC Strongstart ​ A list of courses will open, and you will add the following to your cart: ​ -12 Essential Elements of the EEC (There are 12 modules that have to be completed) ​ And go much further down and also choose the following: -Prospective Provider Training Part 1-FCC (Part 1-FCC and Part 2-FCC must be completed) When you add the two courses, enter your cart and you will see that they are both there. You can click "Start" and take the course at your own pace using your cell phone or computer. ​ Third step: ​ CPR/ First Aid Certificate ​ Take the in-person CPR/First Aid Certificate course. This course is usually 2 and a half hours andit's around $78. ​ You can find somewhere you like that offers the course, or go to Red Cross to look for the dates and places that will have next to you It is . Fourth step: ​ Medical Form ​ You will need to have a physical exam by a doctor. Make an appointment with your doctor, or go to any walk-in clinic. (The cost of the exam will depend on your health insurance) Your doctor has to fill out a specific form. Enter here, and click on the last link of this page where it says "Family Child Care Medical Form " ​ Fifth step: ​ contact yourlocal EEC service office to gain access to the LEAD portal. They provide the necessary information for you to do theLogin , and all other communications related to licensing will be conducted on this portal. As: -License application form -Add the medical examination document -Background check consent form for all persons residing in the home. Including fingerprints. ($35 per person) -Inspector will contact you to arrange a visit to your home -When everything is finished, you will be charged $100 to obtain your license. ​ You will receive a follow-up report on this portal, where you will have the necessary support to complete your process. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Heating bill help ​ There are several agencies that can help you with your heating bill. Eligibility is based on family size and annual income of each family member aged 18 and over. ​ This program provides assistance through a fixed benefit amount for the cost of the primary heating source that includes, but is not limited to: Oil Electricity Natural gas Propane Kerosene wood Coal If eligible, discounts are automatically given on: electricity bills directly to the company gas bills directly to the company Payments for actual use or fuel delivery are made directly to the heating supplier for primary energy needs from November 1st to April 30th, except when the cost of heating is included in the rent. Eligibility / Selection Criteria There are several factors that affect a family's eligibility. Eligibility is based on family size and annual gross income of each family member aged 18 and over. Household income cannot exceed 60% of estimated state median income ​ ​ Please contact your local fuel service agency for detailed information on the criteria used. ​​ for eligibility. ​ on this page and just choose your city from a list of agencies that provide help services. Contact the one closest to your home. ​ Citizens for Citizens, for example, serves the Fall River, Assonet, Freetown, Rehoboth, Swansea, Somerset, Seekonk, Westport, Taunton, Berkley, Dighton, and Lakeville area. Documents required for their program: You must have at least one family member who is American or holds a green card to be eligible. Children born here will do too. ​ Enrollment process: You can use the online portal for new customers and returning customers, either in person by calling 508-679-0041 / 508-823-6346 or by emailing fuelmail@cfcinc.org to make an appointment. ​ For more information about Citizens for Citizens visit the page below: ​ ​ ​

Furniture and household goods donation ​ If you need furniture for your home, here in the state of MA there are some options for you to receive help. One of them is the donation centerHousehold Goods in Acton and My Brother's Keepe r which provides furniture for low-income people. ​ In order to arrange a furniture pick-up day, a community service organization must make a reference in your favor. At thesite from House Hold Goods has a list of agencies that can make these references. MAPS can also make these references, call one of the numbers listed on the website (all speak Portuguese). BRACE from Framingham can make these applications, but you have to go to their office in person. ​ When an appointment is scheduled, only two family members can enter the building to choose what they need, and they cannot go back to the facility to get what did not fit in the truck. It is important that you rent a truck from U-Hall to use on the day of the appointment. ​ Another agency that can help you is "My Brother's Keeper ". They deliver the furniture to your house. Just call the number of the place that serves the area where you live and place your order. ​ ​ ​ ​

HEALTH Read More The SSTAR team will be offering health check-ups, prescriptions, STI testing, wound care, substance use treatment, and will also be making appointments with the doctors at their clinic for people who do not have a primary care physician. ​ Bring your medications, identification, and your health insurance card if you have it. ​ ​ HealthFirst will be offering MassHealth and Health Connector health insurance renewals. ​ ​ It is necessary to have​ -The blue envelope the insurance sent you or your MassHealth card ​ They will also be scheduling appointments for people who need to sign up for MassHealth at their clinic. ​ ​ ​ ​ CITIZENSHIP

Gas / Electricity Account Process to connect, transfer or cancel electricity or gas bill with National Grid ​ 1.Call to 1-800-322-3223 and press the asterisk (*) as soon as you hear the message"For Spanish mark asterisk now" two.When to listen: "In a nutshell, tell me your reason for the call" Say nothing and wait for the next message. 3.When you finish the message you say: "Commit services" To start services, "Transfer services" in case you are changing location, or "Cancel Services" . ​ 4. Soon after, it will ask you to enter the zip code where you live. 5. The system will ask you to press 1 for gas or 2 for electricity. ​ 6. Wait for someone to pick up. As soon as you answer it says"Do you speak Portuguese?" and then the person who answered will put a person who speaks your language on the line. ​ IMPORTANT If you only have a passport to open a gas or electricity bill, you will need to send a copy, plus another form of identification, such as a letter with your name, or a copy of your debit or credit card, to this email address: samne@nationalgrid.com together with the customer number they will provide you during your call (customer id number) Once you send this email, you will receive another one confirming that the documents were received, and soon after another one email confirming the start of your service. No need to call National Grid again. That's all it takes to get your services turned on. ​ ​ ​ If you have Social and a driver's license, you can click on this page to create your account and start internet services. ​ ​ ​

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Apart from the paid classes offered in several places, in every city there are non-profit agencies that offer free English classes to the public. ​ Enter the city where you live on the website below so that you can have a list of places closest to you that offer English classes: ​ ​ ​ In between HERE to find information on locations across the state that offer free English lessons and also some locations that offer a more affordable price. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ENGLISH CLASSES