Covid-19 Emergency Assistance Programs

Food Assistance

Food Assistance
Emergency Food deliveries 

If you tested positive for COVID-19 and need food, call the City of Chelsea 311 line at (617-466-4209) to ask about emergency food delivery. 

Local Food Pantries
Latest updates (as of October 6, 2022)

Organization Food Distribution Schedule 
The Salvation Army
258 Chestnut St.
617-884-0260    
  • Tuesdays, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
La Colaborativa
63 6th St.
617-889-6080
  • Wednesday, from 3:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Diapers and Food Distribution)
  • Fridays, from 09:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Revival International Chelsea
278 Broadway
  • Mondays, from 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
La Luz de Cristo/ SELAH
738 Broadway
617-839-5306
  • Hot Breakfast: Monday thru Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 
  • Hot Lunch: Monday thru Friday, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
  • Food pantry: Fridays, from 08:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
201 Washington Ave.		 Saturdays, 8am – 11am by appointment only. Appointments are given in person at the church every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Chelsea Senior Center
10 Riley Way
617-466-4370

 For residents 62+. Monthly registration by calling
617-466-4250
 
Food Pantry for Veterans
Chelsea Senior Center, 10 Riley Way
617-466-4250		 First Wednesday of each month. Register by calling call 617-466-4250 or email ftoro@chelseama.gov. 


Apply for SNAP benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families.

To apply for benefits, or get information about SNAP, residents can contact the following organizations:

Apply online using DTA Connect website at https://dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov/apply

Check eligibility for WIC

If you're a parent or legal guardian of a child under 5, you can apply for WIC for your child.
Chelsea WIC Program is at MGH-Chelsea Healthcare Center:
151 Everett Avenue, 3rd Floor.
617-887-4340 

Other Food Resources Available in Chelsea

Utility Assistance

Utility Assistance
Apply for money to cover rent and utilities thru the RAFT and ERAP Programs today! Contact one of these local organizations to start your application:



Fuel Assistance Program (CAPIC) 
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) services homeowners and renters (including renters whose heating costs are included in their rent). Eligibility is determined on the combined gross income of all family members over 18 (most full-time students' incomes are exempt).

For help in determining their eligibility for these programs, and to learn more about how to apply, residents should contact CAPIC by calling 617-884-6130 or online at https://toapply.org/CAPIC

Services CAPIC provides include:

  • Aid with paying utility bills.
  • Free electrical assessments.
  • The opportunity to enact energy conservation measures in your home and more.
NEW: CAPIC's New Household Water Assistance Program. If you are eligible for Fuel Assistance and you have terminated water service, impending termination, and/or in arrears -- you may be eligible for the water assistance program.  Please call CAPIC at 617-884-6130, EXT. 1123 for more information about the program and how to apply.

Enroll in a payment plan with your utility

Massachusetts utility companies offer several financial assistance programs for customers, including flexible payment plans – regardless of income – as well as balance forgiveness programs for those eligible.

Get an energy efficiency audit

Energy Programs are available in Chelsea. If you have any questions regarding these programs, call 311 or 617-466-4209. 

Housing

Chelsea Housing Legal Clinic

Know your rights as a tenant
A landlord cannot physically remove you from your home without a court order. In order to be evicted from your home, you must first receive a Notice to Quit, which only notifies you of the landlord's intent to pursue eviction. The Notice to Quit is only the first step in a legal process that must involve review by a Judge. Only a Judge can issue an Order for eviction from your home. A landlord may not remove your belongings or lock you out of your home without an order from a judge. 

For help stopping evictions or other housing issues, contact the Free Legal Help Clinic. Through the legal clinic, residents experiencing evictions, disputes, and code issues can seek assistance from Housing Families’ attorneys and housing specialists. Chelsea residents can receive assistance regardless of immigration status, income, or background. 

Staff are multilingual in Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Haitian Creole.

  • 781-322-9119 x146
  • probonolegalteam@housingfamilies.org
  • In-person Hours (No appointment is necessary) 
    • Mondays
      10:00 am - 1:00 pm
      Chelsea City Hall (500 Broadway, Room 101)
    • Tuesdays
      1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
      The Neighborhood Developers (4 Gerrish Ave.)
    • Thursdays
      10:00 am 1:00 pm
      La Colaborativa (318 Broadway)
Apply for money to cover housing costs today!

FOR RENTERS:  Get rent relief and utility assistance by contacting one of the following organizations in Chelsea:

FOR HOMEOWNERS: You can recuperate unpaid rent and receive assistance towards your mortgage, utilities, insurance expenses, and real estate taxes by applying to:

Chelsea Homeowner Stabilization
617-466-4209

Mass Homeowners Assistance Fund
833-270-2953
https://massmortgagehelp.org

Chelsea Eats

Chelsea Eats Program - Lottery Information

The City will hold the lottery on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 6:00pm and it will be shown at facebook.com/CityOfChelsea.

Recipients of the program will be chosen using a lottery system. City staff is reviewing applications and giving preferences to applicants with children under 18, disabled residents, veterans, seniors over 65, families who are ineligible for other forms of federal assistance, families with a female-identifying head of household, and families with a member with a marginalized gender identity.

Families will receive a card based on their household size to help them buy food and pay utility bills.
Household Size Monthly benefit
1 $200
2 $300
3 or more $400

Further information about the debit card delivery will be available to the selected applicants once the lottery has concluded. 

*All cards distributed on the program's first round are expired and will not be reloaded. 

Should you have any questions, please contact the City of Chelsea at 617-466-4209 or email lalvarez@chelseama.gov.

Attachment
Program Guidelines (PDF)
Guías del programa (PDF)

 

Chelsea Eats Lottery Winners (February 15, 2023)
Every eligible applicant has an applicant number. You can find your applicant number on the top of the letter you received from the City. Do not worry if you do not have your letter or do not know your applicant number. The City has all applicant numbers. If you want to know your applicant number, you can call 311 (or 617-466-4209).

If your number is a winner, the City will mail you a letter to notify you that you are a winner and let you know when to come to City Hall to pick up your Chelsea Eats card.

Even if you have a winning number, you still have to live in Chelsea and meet the program income requirements to receive the Chelsea Eats card. We will verify your information by phone and in-person when you come to pick up your card.
Attachments 
Chelsea Eats Lottery Winners (February 15, 2023) (PDF)