Information, Relief Support, and Advocacy to Respond to the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis
Working towards the well-being of our immigrant and refugee communities is at the core of what we do. We are aware that the COVID-19 public health crisis may be especially impactful on these communities, and we want to do everything we can to provide resources to support them in dealing with the challenges they may be facing. The MAP Network team has compiled this list of informational resources, relief funds and other individual support, grants and relief funds for businesses and nonprofit organizations, and advocacy tools. We will be updating this list on an ongoing basis. If you are aware of any resources that you think we should add to this list, please fill out this form.
City of Boston COVID-19 text messaging update system: For daily text message updates related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Boston, send a TEXT MESSAGE containing a KEYWORD below to 99-411. Please only use plain characters (no accents, etc.).
BOSCOVID (English)
BOSEspanol
BOSFrancais
BOSKreyol
BOSkriolu
BOSPortugues
City of Boston COVID-19 web pages in 10 additional languages. For COVID-19 updates on the Boston.Gov website, please visit:
Mass Legal Services Covid-19 Resources This section focuses on legal issues related to COVID-19 that are of particular relevance to lower income people in Massachusetts.
Resources for Immigrants during the Coronavirus Crisis InformedImmigrant.com is dedicated to increasing access to resources and knowledge for the undocumented immigrant community across the U.S. We understand that these times are especially hard on immigrant communities dealing with the unique challenges of coronavirus and immigration status.
Federal Disaster Unemployment Benefits The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides unemployment benefits to individuals who have become unemployed as a direct result of a Presidentially declared major disaster.
Economic Assistance (Chas Benefits)The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) offers economic assistance (cash benefits) programs to help families and individuals meet basic needs.
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program Grants for emergency assistance for bartenders and dependents of bartenders who have experienced a catastrophic event or emergency hardship and lack the ability to provide basic necessities.
Cambridge COVID-19 Emergency Fund Grants forCambridge residents, nonprofits, and small businesses experiencing financial crises. Applicants must be Cambridge residents – or people whose main source of income emanates from Cambridge – Cambridge organizations with 501c3 status, or small businesses in our community with demonstrated loss of opportunity or income. To be clear, individuals or groups can apply to this fund; 501c3 status is not a requirement.
United Way COVID-19 Fund United Way has established the COVID-19 Family Support Fund, a dedicated resource for working families affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency. We will mobilize our broad network of nonprofit agencies throughout the region to provide a flexible source of cash assistance to help families weather the COVID-19 crisis. These agencies have a proven and long track record of working with United Way to administer flexible emergency assistance for families impacted by income disruption. Grants will be made to help families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis meet their basic food, childcare or housing needs.
COVID-19 Mutual Aid Networks Communities Across the Commonwealth are Springing into action to help our neighbors. Mutual aid is a powerful way to build strong connections- we all have something to offer and we all have something we need.
YMCA of Greater Boston Food distribution for school aged children available 8-12 Monday-Friday. Call yourlocal branchto double check hours.
City of Boston Food ResourcesMap of food resources in Boston as well as a full list of locations offering food resources.
Internet Access:
Comcast Internet EssentialsYou may be eligible for free internet services for two months if you are eligible for public benefits such as SNAP, free school lunches, housing assistance, SSI, or MassHealth; if you do not owe any debts to Comcast; and if you live in the Comcast service area, but have not had an active Comcast account in the last 90 days.
Internet from PCsForPeople This program is not free, but three prepaid plans are available for those 200% or below of the federal poverty level OR who are currently enrolled in an income-based government assistance program (for example, SNAP, TANF, free/reduced lunch, Section 8, SSI). Customers must show a photo ID and proof of eligibility.
Relief funds and grants for organizations and businesses
A summary of policies that affect nonprofits as well as philanthropic and government relief funds.
Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts The SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund has been established by the Community Foundation in partnership with other regional funders, to rapidly attract and deploy resources to organizations in our region that are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This Fund will prioritize those areas of impact that will not likely receive governmental support, are most severely affected, and those serving our most vulnerable neighbors.
Cambridge COVID-19 Emergency Fund Grants forCambridge residents, nonprofits, and small businesses experiencing financial crises. Applicants must be Cambridge residents – or people whose main source of income emanates from Cambridge – Cambridge organizations with 501c3 status, or small businesses in our community with demonstrated loss of opportunity or income. To be clear, individuals or groups can apply to this fund; 501c3 status is not a requirement.
Rapid Response: Racism is a Virus Too The Nellie Mae Education Foundation created this rapid response fund to respond to the hate crimes and bias against Asian American communities resulting from COVID-19. The Foundation has allocated resources for the Racism is a Virus Too rapid response grant fund to support Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that provide services for AAPI communities.
Restaurant Strong Fund The Greg Hill Foundation has teamed up with Samuel Adams to support those from the Massachusetts restaurant industry who have been impacted by the Covid-19 closures. Our goal is to provide $1,000 grants to as many qualifying grantees as possible.
Massachusetts residents over the age of 5 are eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, regardless of immigration status.
Massachusetts residents over the age of 12 are eligible to receive a Covid-19 booster six months after receiving their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer.
Massachusetts residents over the age of 18 are eligible to receive a Covid-19 booster two months after receiving their first dose of Johnson & Johnson.
The Covid-19 vaccine is offered to ALL at no cost.
Neither an ID nor health insurance are required to get a vaccine.