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Financial Assistance Resources

for North Reading Residents

Please click each link below to learn more about financial assistance programs or cost-saving options for North Reading households experiencing financial hardship. Download a PDF version or Word version of this list.

Income / General Assistance

  • Social Security Administration provides disability, retiree, or supplemental income benefits for qualifying individuals. Apply here before your 65th birthday and upon leaving private insurance to enroll in Medicare. Call 800-772-1213 or apply online at SSA.gov
  • MA Dept of Transitional Assistance provides temporary cash assistance to qualifying households 877-382-2363
  • MA Circuit Breaker Tax Credit up to $2,590 for 2023 (plus 2 years prior) can be requested with income tax forms. Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit may also provide tax refunds to eligible families.
  • Woburn Career Center assists residents with job search and job skill building 781-932-5500
  • Adult Foster Care offers stipends for caregivers providing full-time care for a disabled adult 617-440-0987
  • Households with school-age children, ask your school guidance counselor or nurse
  • If you are employed, check with your Human Resources department, Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • US Dept of Justice Credit Counseling – list of providers approved by DOJ for pre-bankruptcy counseling
  • North Reading Veterans’ Services helps find resources incl. Ch 115 for veterans at 978-357-5211
  • North Reading O’Leary Senior Center helps find resources for residents age 60+ at 978-664-5600
  • North Reading Food Pantry can help residents/clients find additional resources at 978-276-0040


Food Assistance

  • SNAP recipients receive a debit card with a monthly food allowance 877-382-2363
  • WIC offers a monthly food allowance for pregnant women and families with small children 800-942-1007
  • Farmer’s market coupons are available in early August for WIC recipients and at the Senior Center
  • North Reading Senior Center at 978-664-5600 or Meals on Wheels at 781-324-7705 for age 60+ only
  • North Reading Food Pantry provides perishable and non-perishable groceries, call 978-276-0040
  • FoodSource Hotline connects residents with groceries or meals offered state-wide, call 800-645-8333

Health Expenses

  • MA Health Connector – apply for MassHealth, CHIP child insurance, or subsidized insurance at 877-623-6765
  • SHINE counselors provide unbiased information to Medicare-eligible individuals to compare coverage and cost options, and assistance applying for discount programs such as Extra Help or Prescription Advantage. Call the senior center at (978) 664-5600 to make an appointment or compare plans at medicare.gov/plan-compare/
  • Senior Care Options and PACE programs offer additional benefits including case management and transportation, for qualifying individuals who are dual eligible for Medicare/MassHealth
  • Medicare Savings Program recipients receive a state-subsidy on their Medicare premiums
  • Mystic Valley Elder Services screens elders and disabled adults for subsidized home care at 781-324-7705
  • Hospital Equipment Loan Program (HELP) offers walkers, hospital beds and more, Saturdays in Woburn
  • Need assistance paying for prescriptions? Check out GoodRx, WellRx, or ask your Manufacturer about a patient assistance program. MA College of Pharmacy offers assistance finding resources at 866-633-1617


Property Tax / Mortgage or Rent Assistance

  • Property Tax Exemptions are available for eligible individuals in the following categories: Seniors, Surviving Spouses or Minors, Veterans, and the Blind. Contact the Assessor’s Office at 978-357-5221
  • Tax Aid Relief Fund provides temporary relief for homeowners experiencing financial problems. Contact the Assessor’s office for more information.
  • Deferral Tax Lien Program allows you to delay paying taxes until you finally sell your home.
  • Senior Work-off Program is a way for residents age 60+ to pay your property taxes by working hours in various functions in town government. Contact the Town Administrator’s office at 978-357-5210 for more information.
  • RAFT may provide one-time assistance with mortgage, rent, or utilities. Metro Housing Boston: 617-425-6700
  • Homeowner Options for MA Elders offers unbiased financial counseling for homeowners at 800-583-5337
  • Plan Ahead: Apply for waitlists for public housing or housing choice vouchers

Utilities and Home Repair

  • LIHEAP Fuel Assistance may be available to pay a portion of winter heating bills, even if your rent includes heat or you live in subsidized housing. Participants may also receive assistance with furnace / boiler repairs and home weatherization. Greater Lawrence CAC: 978-681-4950
  • Reading Light (RMLD) offers a Low-Income Rate application online or at 781-942-6598
  • MA Dept of Public Utilities prevents utility shutoff to vulnerable households, households with serious illness
  • Good Neighbor Energy Fund from Salvation Army provides energy assistance to residents with temporary financial difficulty, whose incomes are between 60 and 80 percent of the state’s median income
  • Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity discount mobile or internet service for qualifying families. 800-234-9473
  • Critical Home Repair Program This Habitat for Humanity program helps qualified seniors and veterans to alleviate home health, safety, and code violations: 978-692-0927
  • Home Modification Loan Program MA provides 0% interest loans for home accessibility improvements for qualifying households, with repayment deferred until sale of the property. Metro Housing Boston: 617-425-6637
  • MA-HUD lists other financial assistance resources for home repair
  • MassSave home energy assessments and rebates are available for National Grid gas customers: 866-527-7283
  • RMLD offers free home energy assessment for electricity customers without gas heat: 888-772-4242
  • Solar panel installation may reduce the cost of utility bills in less than 10 years. Ask RMLD at 781-942-6598

Transportation

  • Senior Center Van Transportation-In Town for North Reading Residents over 60 or disabled residents. Please call 978-664-5600
  • MBTA The Ride is available for disabled individuals for pickup in neighboring towns. Call 617-337-2727 to set up an eligibility screening interview.
  • TRIP Metro North Age 60+ or disabled and don’t drive, but you can ride with a friend, neighbor or even relative to get to anywhere else you would like to go. They will be reimbursed for mileage. Call 781-388-4819.
  • Medi-MeVa Medical Appointment Rides to Boston, Peabody, or Bedford VA medical appointments. Call 978-469-6878 press option #3 to register in advance for this service.
  • North Reading Rides Together volunteers bring residents who cannot drive to medical appointments out-of-town. Call the Senior Center at 978-664-5600 at least one week in advance.

Child Care Costs

  • Child Care Cost Assistance, funded by the state, is available through Child Care Circuit at 978-686-4288
  • Burbank YMCA assists families in applying for vouchers to participate in their childcare programs

Household Goods

  • St. Vincent de Paul thrift items are available for qualifying families
  • Mission of Deeds offers furniture, household goods and kitchen items to people in need, by referral from Veterans’ Services, Senior Center, or Food Pantry
  • Salvation Army emergency financial assistance may include furniture or clothing vouchers


Compiled by North Reading CIT Social Services Action Team Updated December 19, 2023