Get Help
Other Resources
If we can’t help you, maybe some of these resources can. Below we have provided emergency hotlines, additional legal help, basic legal information that is available to the public, and trusted links.
Emergency Hotlines and Services
Domestic Violence:
Safelink Domestic Violence Hotline
877-785-2020
TTY 877-521-2601
Confidential hotline, open 24/7.
Translation services in over 140 languages
Child Abuse & Neglect:
Child-At-Risk Hotline
800-792-5200
Abuse & Neglect of
Persons with Disabilities:
Disabled Persons Protection Commission Hotline
800-426-9009
TTY 888-822-0350
LGBT+ Crisis Intervention:
The Trevor Project
866-488-7386
Confidential hotline or online messaging, available 24/7.
Disaster Assistance:
Massachusetts Emergency
Management Agency (MEMA)
Call 2-1-1 for non-emergency help
For Seniors:
Elder Abuse Hotline
800-922-2275
800 Age Info
800-243-4636
Additional Legal Help
The Legal Resource Finder
This site directs you to legal aid programs
that might be able to help you (civil not criminal)
Mass Legal Answers Online
Mass Bar Association’s Dial-A-Lawyer
(617) 338-0610
Have a question for a lawyer? Ask it online free.
Topics: family law, bankruptcy, real estate, labor and consumer rights
Lawyers for the Day
Attorneys volunteer to help low-income clients for free. This service is not available at every courthouse. Check with your courthouse to see if attorneys will be available to help you.
This site provides information about age related needs and answers common questions regarding assisted living, nursing homes, insurance, and home safety, among other things.
Basic Legal Information
MassLegalHelp
Find practical information about your legal rights in Massachusetts. Includes information about Children and Families, Consumer & Debt, Criminal Records CORI , Disability, Domestic Violence, Employment and Unemployment, Health and Mental Health, Housing and Homelessness, Immigration, Income and Benefits, School
Ask a Law Librarian information on over 150 legal topics
Massachusetts Trial Court Law Library- to reach a law librarian by phone, text, email, IM, live chat, or in person.
Massachusetts Court System Self Help
Abuse & Harassment, Civil Appeals, Consumer Protection, Court Basics, Criminal Law, Families, Children & Divorce, Guardianship, Housing, Name Changes, Small Claims, Tickets & Traffic Offenses, Wills & Estates
coronavirus support
In this stressful time we at VLP thought it would be helpful to have a one-stop shop for any questions and concerns you may have. Whether you are a prospective volunteer or client, one of our Pro Bono attorneys, or just a curious party, we have your answers!
Make sure the information you receive is accurate. Visit the CDC website to learn more ways to stay safe!
If you are experiencing domestic violence and need assistance, please look through this list of nationwide and statewide resources.
You can contact the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) by phone to request weekly benefits, daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
- TeleClaim Center (617) 626-6800
- Voice Relay 711
- TeleCert Line (617) 626-6338
Guidance on Applying for Benefits (English) Guidance on Applying for Benefits (Spanish) – This document is available in 13 languages.
Daily Virtual Town Halls – Available online and by phone. Please enroll by 5:30PM the night before in order to receive a call.
You may also read through this one pager to brush up on your rights as an employee.
FoodSource Hotline: To find food resources in your community, call the FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 (TTY: 1-800-377-1292). Open Monday-Friday 8:00am-7:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am-2:00pm.
Map and List of Meal Sites in Greater Boston Area
Food Pantries:
Search Free Food for Students by Town
- Greater Boston Food Bank Food Assistance Program locator: GBFB.org/need-food
- Catholic Charities Yawkey Center, 185 Columbia Road, Dorchester: 617-506-6600 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Catholic Charities at Somerville 270 Washington Street, Somerville : 617-625-1920 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Find your local YMCA branch for food resources: https://ymcaboston.org/branches
To ensure you get the latest updates and information regarding housing and evictions during the pandemic, make sure to check out the Housing page on MassLegalHelp.
Massachusetts Office of Elder Affairs
- Main Number (617) 727-7750
- Toll Free Number (800) 243-4636
- Toll Free Elder Abuse Hotline (800) 922-2275
- Elder Abuse Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Toll Free Connect to local elder service agency (800) 243-4636
- MassRelay Number MassRelay: 711 / (800) 439-0183 / (877) 752-2388:Voice / (800) 439-2370:TTY/ASC11