Assisting Families Experiencing Homelessness: Emergency Assistance Shelter and Benefits -- BBT Training
Date:
Materials from the September 23, 2025 Emergency Assistance Shelter and Benefits training, presented as part of the MLRI/MCLE Basic Benefits Training Series.
Training Materials
- About the Faculty
- Training Agenda
- Slides: Emergency Assistance Basic Benefits Training 2025
- 2023 Emergency Assistance Advocacy Guide
- Emergency Assistance Intake Packet
- Emergency Assistance Initial Eligibility Screening Interview
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Emergency Assistance (EA) and HomeBASE information
- Information and Resources:
- What is Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter? https://www.mass.gov/info-details/what-is-emergency-assistance-ea-family-shelter
- Includes:
- What is Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter?
- How long can my family stay in shelter? 9 Month Length of Stay Policy
- What is expected from families in Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter?
- What are the types of shelters?
- What should families know when applying for Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter?
- What are some things families should know about living in Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter
- Includes:
- What is Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter? https://www.mass.gov/info-details/what-is-emergency-assistance-ea-family-shelter
- Apply for Emergency Family Shelter: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-emergency-family-shelter-ea
- What's next after becoming EA eligible: the Contact List and more: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/whats-next-after-becoming-ea-eligible-the-contact-list-and-more
- Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter - Length of Stay Policy: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/emergency-assistance-ea-family-shelter-length-of-stay-policy
- Re-ticketing: Part of Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/re-ticketing-part-of-emergency-assistance-ea-family-shelter
- HomeBASE Information: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/homebase
- DTA Non-Citizen Desk Guide: https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/dta-non-citizen-desk-guide
- EA Shelter FAQ on Changes (Aug 2024)
- Ways to support families seeking shelter
- Emergency Assistance Program Guidance on Contact List and Prioritization Procedures
- Criminal Offender Record Information Policy for the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Program
- Request for Reasonable Accommodation: Emergency Assistance (“EA”) Program
- Administrative Plan on the Uses of Strategic Prevention Initiative (SPI) and Enhanced Diversion (ED) Funding
- Administrative Plan on the Uses of Strategic Rehousing Initiative (SRI) Funding
Other housing assistance
- Information about rent, utility and mortgage assistance: https://www.mass.gov/applying-for-rental-assistance-in-massachusetts-to-avoid-eviction
- Information about RAFT, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/residential-assistance-for-families-in-transition-raft-program
- RAFT application portal: https://applyhousinghelp.mass.gov/s/?language=en_US&LanguageCode=en_US
- How to apply for RAFT: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/how-to-apply-for-raft
- Town-by-town search for local Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) and local Area Median Incomes (AMI): https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/raa.aspx
- Massachusetts housing assistance: Emergency and long-term help
Data, notices and reports:
- Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Resources and Data: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/emergency-assistance-ea-family-shelter-resources-and-data
- Includes:
- Emergency Assistance Regulations, Statutes and Notices
- Emergency Assistance Placement Data
- Quarterly Emergency Assistance Legislative Reports
- Emergency Assistance Uniform Shelter Program Rules, Guidelines and Forms
- Memorandum Of Understanding between DCF and DHCD regarding family reunification in shelter
- Language Assistance for Staff
- Includes:
- FY25 RAFT Admin Plan
- HomeBASE Admin Plans FY25
- Housing Stabilization Notices