Contributed by Meghan Keaney, Communications Director, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
Do you know someone who may need help with their utilities or other basic needs this winter? Tell them to dial 2-1-1 from any home or cell phone.
The United Way has been seeing more and more residents who have been caught off-guard by the unstable economy – individuals who have jobs but still can’t make ends meet under a sharply rising cost of living. Last year, in an effort to ensure that individuals and families in unexpected financial crisis have somewhere to turn for help, United Ways across the state came together to launch the Community Support Fund, which provides direct emergency assistance for basic needs.
Mass211 is a free and confidential help line to connect people to health and human services. Individuals who need cash assistance for heat, food or other basic needs can access our Community Support Fund by dialing 2-1-1. Data for 2009 reveals that Mass211 received over 46,000 calls with the majority coming from Boston, Brockton, Lynn, Springfield and Worcester. The overwhelming majority of calls were regarding assistance with basic needs such as rent, utilities, and food. The United Way would also like to encourage people to use 2-1-1 as a resource during tax time, to help residents find free tax filing sites and determine eligibility for EITC. Notably, people can also use 2-1-1 to find organizations accepting donations for the Haiti Earthquake Recovery effort.