Student Support Resources [1]

If you are struggling with food, financial, or housing insecurity, searching for resources can be overwhelming. The list below includes a non-exhaustive list of resources that offer a good starting point. If you are looking for support services and are not finding what you need, please feel free to contact the Dean of Students Office [2] and explore the Single Stop Resources [3] page.

Food

The Amherst Survival Center [4]
Northampton Survival Center [5]
First Baptist Church, Amherst [6] – food pantry distribution, 2 – 4 p.m. Wednesdays
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts [7] – assistance applying for SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) online [8] or by phone [9]
For student parents: Children and teenagers are eligible for free meals at hundreds of locations [10] throughout the state.

Shelter

Utilities & Internet

Internet Essentials [13] – discounted internet and low-cost laptop computers
Eversource support programs [14] – assistance paying for residential electric service
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program [15]
Energy assistance [16] and fuel assistance [17] through Community Action Pioneer Valley [18]
Emergency Broadband Benefit [19] (EBB) Program

Healthcare

MassHealth Open Enrollment [20] – Free or heavily-subsidized health insurance plans
- Phone: 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765)

Financial assistance

For job loss, file an unemployment claim [21] through the Department of Unemployment Assistance [22] and refer to the COVID-19 specific unemployment handbook [23]
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance [24] (a new category of unemployment for anyone not eligible for traditional unemployment)
If searching for work, avoid job scams [25]
Research other COVID-19 emergency funding sources [26] for individuals and organizations

Social Service Agencies

Massachusetts 2-1-1 [27] – quick 24/7 connection to local resources for health, nutrition, housing, employment, finances and more
Amherst Community Connections [28] – assistance with housing, jobs, food, and more
Community Action Pioneer Valley [18] – support and resource referrals for individuals and families
Look4help.org [29] – searchable database of local resources

Miscellaneous Resources

Federal Benefits:
- Benefit Finder [30]
Legal:
- UMass Student Legal Services Office [31] (SLSO) – free legal consultation for all fee-paying students on any legal matter
- Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office [32] – advocacy for consumers, labor, healthcare, childcare, and more
  Information about sick time laws:
  617-727-3465
  Help with insurance claims or medical bills:
  888-830-6277
  Report price gouging or defective products:
  617-727-8400