COVID-19 resource guide for Boston's immigrants

We have information about services for Boston residents affected by COVID-19, regardless of immigration status.

For updates about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), you can:

Visit the City of Boston's Coronavirus (COVID-19) website
Call the Mayor’s Health Line at 617-534-5050 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Text BOSCOVID to 888-777
Call Boston 3-1-1 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Calls can be taken in multiple languages.

If you need food…

MAYOR’S OFFICE OF FOOD ACCESS / 617-635-3717

Free breakfast and lunch meals are available to all Boston children and youth while Boston Public Schools are closed. For locations and hours, visit the meal sites website.

MASS 211 / 211

Statewide information about food pantries, meal sites, senior dining sites, and more.

PROJECT BREAD FOOD SOURCE HOTLINE / 800-645-8333

Information on food pantries and community meal programs.

If you need medical care...

MAYOR’S HEALTH LINE / 617-534-5050

Multilingual assistance from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the number listed above to enroll in health insurance, locate health centers, and find information about childcare, food assistance, elderly services, and legal help.

IMPORTANT: Health care options are available for everyone in Massachusetts, regardless of immigration status. Screening, testing, and treatment related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) do not affect “public charge” rule determinations.

If you need childcare...

MAYOR’S OFFICE OF WOMEN’S ADVANCEMENT / 617-635-3138

The office has information about emergency childcare programs.

If you don’t have a place to stay tonight and for affordable housing options...

MASS. DEPT. OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE / 866-584-0653

Shelter services for families.

OFFICE OF HOUSING STABILITY / 617-635-4200 / HousingStability@boston.gov

Assistance finding and maintaining stable, safe, and affordable housing options, informing tenants of their rights and responsibilities, and helping navigate the individual and family shelter systems.

IMPORTANT: Starting Saturday, March 14, a moratorium on Boston Housing Authority (BHA) evictions went into effect. This will last while Massachusetts is under a state of emergency. If you receive a notice of eviction contact the Office of Housing Stability (contact information listed above).

If you experience discrimination or mistreatment by your landlord or employer...

OFFICE OF FAIR HOUSING AND EQUITY / 617-635-2500

Contact if you have been discriminated against in receiving housing, public services, accommodations or employment.

CITY LIFE/VIDA URBANA / 617-934-5006 (English) / 617-397-3737 (Espanol)

Call for questions about housing issues.

If you are looking for legal help...

MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR IMMIGRANT ADVANCEMENT / 617-635-2980

Immigration Consultation Clinics at Boston City Hall are by telephone until further notice. Call or email ImmigrantAdvancement@boston.gov for instructions.

LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS / 617-981-4308

Free legal support to individuals, families, community groups, and small businesses in response to COVID-19.

If you are 55+...

AGE STRONG COMMISSION / 617-635-4366

Assistance with housing, transportation, health care, employment, and volunteer opportunities for senior residents (age of 55+).

If you are a survivor of domestic violence...

SAFELINK / 877-785-2020

Confidential support, assistance with safety planning, direct connections to shelters and referrals to community services 24/7.

If you need internet connection...

DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY / 617-635-4783

Resources to support Internet connectivity needs. For more information, email digital.equity@boston.gov.

If you own a small business...

MAYOR’S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / 311 or 617-635-0355

Support for business owners.

IMPORTANT: The Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) will process all applications for a loan fund of $10 million to provide financial relief to Massachusetts businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.

If you are a worker...

MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL / 617-727-3465

Accepts online complaints related to minimum wage, overtime payment, sick time, meal breaks, and worker protections.

MASSCOSH / 617-505-8940

Call for questions about workers' rights.

GREATER BOSTON LEGAL SERVICES / 617-603-1530

Call for questions about unemployment benefits.

If you are a student or teacher...

BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS / 617-635-4783

Information about free breakfast and lunch locations for all BPS students, Chromebooks for online learning for students, and tips and resources for educators.