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Household Goods and Services
Limited income, elderly, and disabled Massachusetts residents can get free or low-cost household goods and services to help furnish their homes, repair their houses, pay for pet medical care, remove snow from their sidewalks, and meet other household needs.
NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
Household furnishings
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Free furniture and household goods:
If you need furniture or other household items, you can get free used donated items from nonprofit agencies throughout Massachusetts. Some agencies require a referral from a social services organization, but others do not. In most cases, you must call ahead for an appointment. Some agencies will deliver the furniture to you, and others require you to pick the items up yourself.
To find a free furniture distribution agency near you, see Furniture Resources on the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance web site.
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Thrift stores:
Thrift stores sell a variety of donated household items, including furniture, bedding, kitchen items, lamps, and other goods. Prices are reasonable.
Thrift store chains with locations throughout Massachusetts are listed below:
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Goodwill Stores
Locations: Boston, Brighton, Cambridge, Hyannis, Quincy, Somerville, South Boston, Worcester
Addresses and phone numbers: Goodwill Store Locations and Hours
Web site: Overview: The Goodwill Store
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Salvation Army Thrift Stores
Telephone: 617-542-5420 or call your local store
Locations: Attleboro, Bridgewater, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, East Wareham, Fitchburg, Framingham, Gardner, Hanover, Haverhill, Hudson, Hyannis, Linwood, Lynn, Norwood, Saugus, Somerville, Spencer, Swansea, Wilmington, Worcester
Addresses and phone numbers: Salvation Army Thrift Store Locations
Web site: The Salvation Army of Massachusetts
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Savers
Locations: Danvers, Fall River, New Bedford, Plymouth, Springfield, West Roxbury, Worcester
Addresses and phone numbers: Find a Savers Store
Web site: Savers
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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores
Locations: Fall River, Framingham, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Plainville, Stoughton, Taunton, Worcester
Addresses and phone numbers: Find a SVDP Thrift Store
Web site: SVDP Thrift Stores
Most communities also have local thrift stores run by churches, service agencies, or other organizations. To find a local thrift store, check your phone book under "thrift store" or search on the Internet for "thrift store" and the name of your city or town.
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Free items - Internet postings:
People with items they want to give away often use free online services to post their ads. Anyone can use these services to get items they need free of charge. There are no income limits or other restrictions.
Note: You should always be careful when you reply to an online posting. If an item is advertised as free, do not pay any money or give out any financial information.
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Craigslist:
Craigslist is a free web site that allows users to post listings about jobs, apartments, goods and services, local events, and more. Craigslist also has a "free" section for items that people want to give away.
Craigslist has listings for free items in these Massachusetts communities:
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Freecycle
Freecycle is an online community of people who want to reduce waste, keep usable items out of landfills, and give and get things for free. When you join Freecycle (for free), you become a member of a local group in your community. Each local group has a volunteer moderator who makes sure members follow the rules.
Everything on Freecycle is free. You can offer things for free, or ask for things for free.
Freecycle has local groups in most Massachusetts communities. To find your local group, see Active Freecycle Groups in Massachusetts.
Home repairs
Elder homeowners in Massachusetts can get help with home repairs from city and town elder services agencies and other local programs. Services usually include basic repairs, such as fixing stairs, doors, ceilings, and roofs; minor plumbing and electrical problems; and installing hand rails or grab bars. Labor is free. Some programs ask homeowners to pay for materials.
For most elder home repair programs, homeowners must:
- be 60 years of age or older
- own and live in the house that needs repair
- need home repairs to correct unsafe housing
Massachusetts elder home repair programs include:
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Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA)
Elder Home Repair
Telephone: 508-755-1105
Service area: Worcester and southern Worcester County
Web site: Elder Home Repair
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ESAC (Ensuring Stability through Action in our Community)
Senior Home Repair
Telephone: 617 524-2555
Service area: all Boston neighborhoods
Web site: Senior Homeowner Services
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Montachusett Opportunity Council
Elder Home Repair Program
Telephone: 800-286-3441
Service area: Fitchburg and surrounding towns: Service area map
Web site: Elder Home Repair Program
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United South End Settlements
Senior Home Repair Program
Telephone: 617-375-8163
Service area: Boston South End / Lower Roxbury
Web site: Senior Home Repair Program
If you live in a community not listed above, call the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs AgeInfo line at 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) to see if there is a home repair program in your area.
Building supplies
Homeowners and others who need low cost building supplies can buy donated used and surplus materials from several area nonprofit reStores:
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Boston ReStore
The Boston ReStore offers good quality donated building materials at low cost to nonprofit organizations (schools, government agencies, religious institutions, etc.) and people with limited incomes. The income limit is 80% of the area median income for your community. See MassHousing's Income Limits: 80% Area Median Income for dollar amounts.
You can give the ReStore a list of the items you need, and they will try to match you with a donor, or you can shop at the warehouse. You must bring proof of income. Nonprofits must bring their tax I.D.
Boston ReStore, Inc.
10 Harvard Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
Telephone: 617-288-8400
Web site: Boston ReStore
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Building Materials Resource Center (BMRC)
The Building Materials Resource Center is a home supply store that sells new and used donated building supplies at low prices. Anyone can shop at the BMRC after paying a yearly $10 membership fee. People who meet the BMRC's income guidelines get a significant discount (usually 1/3 off).
Building Materials Resource Center (BMRC)
100 Terrace Street
Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120
Telephone: 617-442-8917
Web site: Building Materials Resource Center
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Habitat for Humanity ReStores
The Habitat for Humanity ReStores sell donated new and used building materials at low prices. The goal of Habitat ReStores is to make money to pay for Habitat for Humanity projects, to keep usable items out of landfills, and to provide low cost building supplies for community members. Anyone can shop at Habitat ReStores.
Habitat ReStore - Greater Plymouth
72 North Main Street
Carver, MA 02330
Telephone: 508-866-4199
Web site: Habitat ReStores
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ReStore Home Improvement Center
The ReStore Home Improvement Center sells used and new building supplies at bargain prices. The Center is open to the public. The goal of the ReStore Home Improvement Center is to keep valuable materials out of landfills, to make home improvement affordable, and to create jobs.
ReStore Home Improvement Center
250 Albany Street, Rear
Springfield, MA 01105
Telephone: 413-788-6900
Web site: ReStore Home Improvement Center
Pet care
Cat and dog owners who cannot afford medical care for their pets can get help from nonprofit and local government programs:
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Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare (SCFAW)
SCFAW provides help in these ways:
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Spaying and neutering: SCFAW has "Quick Fix" spay/neuter clinics for pet cats, and a spay/neuter voucher program for dogs and stray/feral cats. Vaccinations are also provided if needed.
Fees are based on income. No one is turned away for inability to pay. Pet owners who receive public assistance such as food stamps, MassHealth, SSI, TAFDC, rental assistance, fuel assistance, WIC, or unemployment are automatically income eligible. Pet owners must fill out an application and provide proof of public assistance or proof of income.
See Spay/Neuter Services on the SCFAW web site for more information.
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Medical care for seriously ill or injured pets: Scratch's Patch-Up Fund (SPUF) helps pet owners whose dogs or cats are facing a medical crisis and who do not have the money to pay for the care their pets need. Pet owners must meet income limits and other requirements. Approval may take up to two weeks, so SPUF cannot usually help in emergency situations.
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Support for caregivers of homeless or feral cats: SCFAW provides traps, guidance, and financial assistance for the spaying/neutering of homeless or feral cats.
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General support: SCFAW gives referrals and guidance to pet owners who must surrender their pets, or who need advice about caring for their pets.
To apply for financial help for spaying/neutering or SPUF medical care, you must fill out a Request for Pet Services. You can fill out the application and submit it online, or you can print out a copy of the application and mail it in:
For questions or support, call the Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare hotline at 978-779-8287, or e-mail SCFAW at .
For more information, visit the Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare web site.
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Other spay/neuter programs:
For other spay/neuter programs, see Spay/Neuter Assistance Program on the MSPCA web site.
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Rabies vaccination clinics:
Massachusetts law requires all cats, dogs, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) works with several nonprofit animal welfare groups to offer low-cost rabies vaccination clinics in cities and towns throughout the state.
To find a clinic near you, see: 2009 Rabies Vaccination Clinics.
Most clinics charge from $5 to $15 for the rabies vaccination. Microchipping, licenses, and other services are available at some clinics. Cats must be in carriers and dogs on a leash.
Snow shoveling
Several cities and towns in Massachusetts require property owners to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks after it stops snowing. Residents who don't shovel their walks may face a fine.
If you are not able to shovel your own walks because of age or disability, you may be able to get free snow shoveling services. Income limits may apply. Contact your city or town's elder services office to see if there is a program in your area:
- Arlington: Council on Aging: 781-316-3404
- Boston: Elderly Commission: 617-635-4366
- Cambridge: Council on Aging: 617-349-6220
- Medford: Council on Aging: 781-396-6010
- Somerville: Council on Aging: 617-625-6600
- Worcester: Division of Elder Affairs: 508-799-1232
- Other communities: call 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636)
Wheelchair ramps
Massachusetts residents with disabilities who need a wheelchair ramp to make their homes accessible may be able to get help from a community handicap ramp program. Volunteers from the construction industry and other groups donate their time and materials to build the ramps. Homeowners do not have to pay anything.
Homebound residents who need a wheelchair ramp must apply for the programs and meet income limits and other requirements.
Wheelchair ramp programs in Massachusetts include:
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Handicap Ramp Program
The Handicap Ramp Program is a community service partnership between Worcester local labor unions (Worcester Firefighters "Ramp Gang" and Carpenters Local 107), and the United Way of Central Massachusetts. The program serves homebound residents of Worcester and other Central Massachusetts communities.
To apply, call the AFL/CIO Community Services Handicap Ramp Program at 508-757-5632.
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EMNARI Wheelchair Ramp Building
The EMNARI Ramp program is a charitable project of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The Chapter usually builds one ramp per year, for a needy family in Eastern Massachusetts.
To apply, call EMNARI at 508-839-9884, or download an application from the EMNARI web site: Wheelchair Ramp Application.
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Stavros 'Home Sweet Home' Wheelchair Ramp Program
Home Sweet Home is a program of the Stavros Center for Independent Living, with offices in Amherst, Greenfield, and Springfield, MA. The program uses donated materials and funds, volunteer workers, and local vocational technical school assistance to build modular wheelchair ramps. The modular ramps are then installed at selected homes. The ramps are built using The Home Wheelchair Ramp Project guidelines, and can be installed year-round.
In 2007-2008, Home Sweet Home installed 68 wheelchair ramps. To apply, call the Stavros Center at 800-804-1899, ext. 240. For more information, see Home Sweet Home on the Stavros Center web site.
If you cannot get a free wheelchair ramp, you may be able to get a loan to pay for the ramp.
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Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)
The Home Modification Loan Program gives loans to elders and people with disabilities to modify their homes so they can live independently.
Depending on your income, you may be eligible for a deferred payment loan that does not have to be repaid until you sell your house, or an amortized low interest loan. For income guidelines, see HMLP: Who Is Eligible?.
You can get an application and instructions on the HMLP web site HMLP: How Do I Apply?. For more information, see Home Modification Loan Program.
Household Good and Services section last updated on 9/08/09
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