Information for Residents

Health Information

COVID-19 Information from the MA Department of Public Health
- Massachusetts COVID-19 Hotline: Call 211
- Text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 for SMS updates from state authorities.
- COVID-19 Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Massachusetts Health Connector
- Apply for MassHealth health insurance
Maintaining Emotional Health and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Interface Mental Health Helpline
- Mental health referral line that will match callers up with providers that take their insurance
- Free to Melrose residents; open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
- 888-244-6843
CDC Recommendations on Cloth Face Coverings

Unemployment and Employee Rights

General Assistance

Department of Transitional Assistance
- Apply for SNAP (food stamps) and cash benefits
Melrose Emergency Fund
- Help with food, utilities, and other expenses. Restricted to Melrose residents.
- 781-665-4304
Red Cross (Ames Fund)
- 781-665-1351
St. Vincent de Paul
- The St. Vincent de Paul Society is administered within individual Catholic parishes. To reach them, contact your nearest Catholic church.
- Incarnation: 781-662-8844
- Most Blessed Sacrament: 781-245-2080
- St. Mary’s: 781-665-0152

Food Assistance

Bread of Life
- Bread of Life will deliver food from its food bank to Melrose residents.
A Servant’s Heart Food Pantry
- Prebagged groceries can be picked up every Friday from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
SNAP (food stamps)
Food Resources for Veterans

Utilities

Many utilities are offering extra help for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are links to that information.

Fuel Assistance

ABCD
- (617) 357-6012
Massachusetts Fuel Assistance Page
- Contains additional information about fuel assistance
- Heatline: 1-800-632-8175

Children and Families

WIC
- Local office: 781-338-7578
What to Know About Emergency Child Care Programs
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC):
National Parent Helpline
- Emotional support and advocacy for parents
- 1-855-427-2736.
Educational Resources for Children and Families
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Housing

Housing assistance and resourcesfrom the Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association.
Housing Families
- Homelessness prevention and emergency shelter
- Call 781-322-9119 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to make an appointment
Community Service Network
- 781-438-1977
Melrose Housing Authority
- Administers public housing and Section 8 rental assistance in Melrose
- 781-665-1622
Governor Baker Signs Emergency Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures (April 21)

Legal Help

Immigrants

Veterans

Senior Citizens

Melrose Council on Aging
- Provides programming, services, and advocacy for senior citizens
- 781-665-4304
Mystic Valley Elder Services
- Mystic Valley provides information and referral to people who are over 60 or people under 60 who have disabilities.
- 781-324-7705

Recovery and Support

Alcoholics Anonymous
- This link includes regularly updated lists of in-person and online meetings in this area.
Narcotics Anonymous
- Local meetings
Malden Overcoming Addiction
Al-Anon and Alateen
Resource page from SAMHSA, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Domestic Violence

Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV)
- info@maav.org
- 781-662-2010
Det. Dan Ehlers, Domestic Violence Officer at the Melrose Police Department
- 781-979-4432
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
- 24/7, confidential and free
- 1-800-799-7233 and through chat.
The National Sexual Assault Hotline
- 24/7, confidential and free
- 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) and through chat.

Transportation Updates

Tax Information

Departments