Unemployment Resources

Food

• Visit our Food Resources Page for complete listing.

• The Amherst Survival Center is a community center that offers lots of resources to help people meet their basic needs. They provide free meals, free groceries, free clothing, free medical care, and free community activities. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 12-3, the Survival Center offers pre-packaged to-go meals and grocery items from their food pantry. Accommodations available for grocery delivery or pick-up.

• Not Bread Alone serves free hot meals outside the lower levels of First Congregational Church of Amherst at 165 Main Street. Wednesday meal is served between 3:45 PM and 5:15 PM and Saturdays and Sundays between 11:45 AM and 1:15 PM.

• The First Baptist Church operates a food pantry at 434 N Pleasant St on Wednesdays 2-4pm.

• SNAP is a federal nutrition assistance program for low-income individuals and families that provides benefits via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

  • You can check your eligibility for SNAP here and sign up for benefits here.

  • The SNAP time limit and work rules have been suspended because of COVID-19. If you were previously denied SNAP for not meeting the work rules, you should reapply for benefits.

  • Note that SNAP benefits are factored into public charge determinations. You should speak with your immigration attorney before applying. If you do not have an immigration attorney, you can contact these services to request free legal help.

• Food Pantry Directory

• Look4Help Hampshire County Food Access Resources

• Project Bread

Housing & Utilities

• Visit our Housing Resources page for more resources.

• Amherst residents can receive emergency rental assistance through a program administered by Community Action Pioneer Valley with money allocated from the Amherst Affordable Housing Trust. Interested residents can apply here.

• WayFinders provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families, couples, and individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals must first fill out a housing consumer education center assessment form.

• Residential evictions and foreclosures have been banned in Massachusetts through October 17, 2020.

  • You will still be responsible for your rent or mortgage payments, so contact your landlord or lender to talk through delayed or partial payment options.

  • The MA Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has suspended the disconnection of utility services for nonpayment during this state of emergency.

  • Eversource is also eliminating late-payment charges and offering flexible payment plans. To learn more about financial assistance available, visit their website or call 800-592-2000 to speak with a customer service representative.

Other Sources of Unemployment Assistance

• Emergency Relief for Artists

• Frontline Workers Resources

• Constituent Guide from Senator Comerford

• Unemployment Insurance Portal

• Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19: Employee Rights & Employer Obligations

• Information on Unemployment and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• COVID-19, Department of Unemployment Assistance Contact Request

• Your Rights as an Employee and Other Business Guidance
  Learn about topics such as Fair Labor Division FAQs for employee rights and employer obligations during the COVID-19 emergency from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and MDPH.