Cambridge

Local offices in Cambridge

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Housing help · City office

  Housing Services Center

  362 Green St., Floor 1, Cambridge, MA 02139

  Help here

  • Housing and eviction prevention helpGet help with housing problems, eviction prevention, rental support, and housing searches.
  Call 617-349-6340DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cambridgema.gov

• Housing help · Regional office

  Cambridge Housing Authority

  362 Green St., 3rd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139

  Help here

  • Public housing and rental assistanceApply for public housing or a housing choice voucher for eligible households.
  Call 617-864-3020DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cambridge-housing.org

• Utilities · City office

  Cambridge Water Department

  250 Fresh Pond Pkwy., Cambridge, MA 02138

  Help here

  • Water bills and serviceGet help with water bills, meter questions, and water service.Read more
  • Utility bill assistanceCall the city's utility bill helpline for help with utility costs.Read more
  Call 617-349-4770DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cambridgema.gov

• Human services · City office

  Department of Human Service Programs

  51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA 02139

  Help here

  • Family and community servicesFind city programs for children, families, youth, and adults.
  • Home Energy Assistance ProgramApply for help paying winter heating bills if your household meets income rules.Apply onlineRead more
  • Recreation programsFind classes and recreation programs offered by the city.
  Call 617-349-6200DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cambridgema.gov

• Older adults · City office

  Cambridge Council on Aging

  806 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139

  Help here

  • Older adult support and programsGet help finding services, transportation, social groups, and activities for older adults.
  Call 617-349-6220DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cambridgema.gov

• Local office · City office

  Cambridge 311

  City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139

  Help here

  • City information and service requestsCall or submit a request to get help from the right city department.
  Call 617-349-4300DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cambridgema.gov

• Jobs and training · State office

  MassHire Metro North Career Center, Cambridge

  186 Alewife Brook Pkwy., Suite 310, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Help here

  • Job search and career servicesGet help with job searches, career planning, training, and employment services.
  Call 617-661-7867DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on masshiremncareers.com

• Library · City office

  Cambridge Public Library

  449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Help here

  • Library services and programsGet a library card, borrow materials, use public computers, and find free programs.
  Call 617-349-4040DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cambridgema.gov

City of Cambridge website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Cambridge

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Offices for all of Middlesex County

Cambridge is in Middlesex County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• State office

  DTA Framingham Transitional Assistance Office

  300 Howard Street, Framingham, MA 01702

  Help here

  • SNAP, cash benefits, and case helpApply for or manage SNAP, TAFDC, and EAEDC benefits, and get help with your case.Apply online
  Call 508-661-6600DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• State office

  DTA Lowell Transitional Assistance Office

  131 Davidson Street, Lowell, MA 01852

  Help here

  • SNAP, cash benefits, and case helpApply for or manage SNAP, TAFDC, and EAEDC benefits, and get help with your case.Apply online
  Call 978-446-2400DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• State office

  DTA Malden Transitional Assistance Office

  245 Commercial Street, Malden, MA 02148

  Help here

  • SNAP, cash benefits, and case helpApply for or manage SNAP, TAFDC, and EAEDC benefits, and get help with your case.Apply online
  Call 781-388-7300DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Community action · Nonprofit

  South Middlesex Opportunity Council

  7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01720

  Help here

  • Community assistanceGet help finding energy assistance and other local services for eligible residents.
  Call 508-620-2300DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Community action · Nonprofit

  Community Teamwork

  155 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852

  Help here

  • Community assistanceGet help finding energy assistance and other local services for eligible residents.
  Call 978-459-0551DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Community action · Nonprofit

  Action for Boston Community Development

  178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111

  Help here

  • Community assistanceGet help finding energy assistance and other local services for eligible residents.
  Call 617-357-6202DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

Everything in Middlesex County

Massachusetts programs by kind of help

These are run by Massachusetts and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.

• FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
• HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
• HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
• MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
• CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
• EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
• WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
• Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
• SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal help anyone can use

These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security retirement benefits

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Medicare

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.

  Call 1-800-633-4227
• Extra Help with Medicare drug costs

  Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• VA health care

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.

  Call 1-877-222-8387
• VA disability compensation and benefits

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.

  Call 1-800-827-1000
• FAFSA, the federal student aid form

  U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Federal Pell Grant

  U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Lifeline phone and internet discount

  Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

  Call 1-800-234-9473
• Head Start and Early Head Start

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

  Call 1-866-763-6481
• IRS Free File

  Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.

• VITA and TCE free tax help

  Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.

  Call 1-800-906-9887
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.

  Call 1-800-829-1040
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

• Replace a Social Security card

  Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• FEMA disaster assistance

  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

  Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026