Suffolk County
Ask about Suffolk County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Suffolk County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Suffolk County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Child support · State office
Boston Child Support Metro Regional Office
100 Cambridge Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help starting, enforcing, or changing a child support order.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov
State office
EOHHS Chelsea Center Transitional Assistance Office
80 Everett Avenue, 3rd Floor, Chelsea, MA 02150
Help here
- Cash and food benefitsApply for or get help with state cash and food benefits.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov
State office
DTA Jackson Square Transitional Assistance Office
1785 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02119
Help here
- Cash and food benefitsApply for or get help with state cash and food benefits.Apply onlineRead more
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.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov
Older adults · City office
Boston Age Strong Commission
1 City Hall Square, Room 271, Boston, MA 02201
Help here
- Older adult servicesBoston residents age 55 and older can get help finding services, benefits, and programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on boston.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Mystic Valley Aging Services
300 Commercial Street, Suite 19, Malden, MA 02148
Help here
- Aging and disability supportOlder adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop can get help finding support to live independently.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mves.org
Jobs and training · State office
MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center
75 Federal Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02110
Help here
- Job search and training helpGet job search help, career guidance, and information about training.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov
Jobs and training · State office
MassHire Metro North Career Center Chelsea Access Point
4 Gerrish Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150
Help here
- Job search and training helpAsk about local job search and workforce services available at this access point.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov
State office
Boston Haymarket RMV Service Center
136 Blackstone Street, Boston, MA 02109
Help here
- Driver license, permit, and ID transactionsComplete eligible driver license, learner's permit, and ID transactions by appointment.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Suffolk County, closest to the center of Boston first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Food pantry distribution
Fourth Presbyterian Church
1.9 miles from the center of Boston340 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127
Hours
- Tue9:30 AM to 12 PM (2nd and 4th of the month)
Listed on fourthboston.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Boston Rescue Mission Food Pantry
Boston Rescue Mission
2.3 miles from the center of Boston39 Kingston St, Boston, MA 02111
Hours
- Mon2 PM to 3 PM
- Sat2 PM to 3:30 PM
Listed on brm.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Meals
St. Francis House
2.5 miles from the center of Boston39 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
Hours
- Mon7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
- Tue7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
- Wed7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
- Thu7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
- Fri7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
- Sat7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
- Sun7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
Who can come: Guests
Listed on stfrancishouse.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Manna
2.6 miles from the center of Boston138 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111
Hours
- Mon9:30 AM to 2 PM
- Tue9:30 AM to 12 PM
- Sun8:30 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: Unstably housed people in Boston
Listed on mannaboston.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Boston Food Pantry
American Red Cross of Massachusetts
2.6 miles from the center of Boston1033 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Hours
- Wed9 AM to 12 PM
- Sat9 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: Everyone is welcome
What to bring: Complete an in-person registration intake and bring the pantry card. Photo ID is not required.
Listed on redcross.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Food Access Center (Food Pantry), North End
ABCD Action for Boston Community Development
2.7 miles from the center of Boston1 Michelangelo Street, Boston, MA 02113
Hours
- Tue9 AM to 4 PM
- Wed9 AM to 4 PM
- Thu9 AM to 4 PM
- Fri9 AM to 4 PM
Listed on bostonabcd.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Suffolk County
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
The Greater Boston Food Bank
70 South Bay Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD)
178 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111-1006
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Community Action Programs Inter-City, Inc. (CAPIC)
100 Everett Avenue, Unit#14, Chelsea, MA 02150
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Suffolk 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
Talk to a person
- Mass 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 2-1-1 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988