Legal Updates

Legal Alert

If you signed a lease to rent an individual room, or an entire apartment, and were then contacted by your landlord and told that you would have to live with a roommate, you may have legal claims against them. Submit a Request for Services to the Student Legal Services Office to discuss your rights and options.  

CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT

EMPLOYMENT / UNEMPLOYMENT

IMMIGRATION / INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

HOUSING / LANDLORD-TENANT LAW

COURT SYSTEM

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINES

EMPLOYMENT / UNEMPLOYMENT

If you've lost your job or have had your hours greatly reduced, you may qualify for unemployment benefits. Visit https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-and-unemployment-what-you-need-to-know to find out how COVID-19 has impacted your eligibility for unemployment benefits. Visit https://www.mass.gov/applying-for-unemployment-benefits for information about how to apply for unemployment benefits. 

IMMIGRATION / INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

  • USCIS Response to COVID-19 – Beginning June 4, 2020, certain USCIS field offices and asylum offices resumed non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. Application support centers will resume services later.

  • Are you a noncitizen participating in protests and demonstrations? Learn how to order an ILRC Red Card here.

HOUSING / LANDLORD-TENANT LAW

  • Affordable Housing Updates
    • Follow the link above for current, comprehensive, well organized and easy to access to other hyperlinks by subject matter – INCLUDING:(1) announcement of fast moving voluntary moratoriums/suspensions; (2) updates on court orders; and (3) movement on state legislation; and (4) federal actions/resources   

COURT SYSTEM UPDATES

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINES

  • Center for Women and Community (CWC) 24/7 Sexual Assault Support and Advocacy (SASA) Hotline: (413)545-8000
  • Safe Passage, support, resources, and assistance planning for survivors of domestic violence: (413) 585-5066 or (888)345-5282 Toll Free
  • In Massachusetts Call SafeLink at (877) 785-2020
    • Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers can reach SafeLink via video relay service using the main number (877)785-2020, or by TTY at (877) 521-2601.
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 799-7233
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 656-4673