How we help...
Did you know that 40% of Americans are one emergency away from a financial crisis (masscap.org)? Our goal is to provide assistance awards within 48 hours of receiving an application. Below you will find examples of need that would qualify for an award. Each application will be reviewed by our review team. Cash will never be awarded to an applicant. The review team determines the best medium for the award based on the request and scenario. Examples of awards include InstaCart and Amazon orders delivered directly to the applicant's home, gift cards for gas, and online payments made directly to a utility company or healthcare provider. All applications are confidential. Do you know someone in need? Feel free to complete an application (with their permission) on their behalf. We will begin accepting applications on September 1, 2025.​
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“By supporting the Cohasset Community Assistance Fund, we can address the very real financial crises that confront Cohasset households. The Fund combines a coordinated response across the entire town, with a professional intake process, so assistance gets to the people who really need it. — Rev. Dan Harper, First Parish, Cohasset
Rental + Mortgage Assistance
A resident needed assistance finding affordable housing after their rent was raised over $500 for an already affordable housing unit. State and federal housing applications can take months to process and for individuals to be selected. The waitlists for Section 8, housing vouchers are years long. The need to pay current month's rent, fees to break the current lease, first/last/security deposits (2 months' rent, give or take) as well as any moving costs are simply not attainable for low-income individuals.
Utility Bill Assistance
A resident needed help to purchase a portable air conditioner (during last summer’s heat wave) and paying the electric bill. This client is housing-insecure and unable to afford anything beyond paying rent.
Assistance Purchasing Necessities
A resident needed a new mattress due to a medical condition. This individual was on a fixed income and is not elderly. The new mattress was not something that is covered by health insurance.
After-Life Family Cost Assistance
A resident was in need of financial assistance for after-life care for a family member who had passed away and the individual needed funding for the body to be released from the hospital to a funeral home, funeral services, opening the grave at the cemetery, paying for death/birth certificates, etc. Again, this individual was not elderly therefore funding was scarce.
Emergency Assistance
A resident lost their home in a fire, including every possession down to personal identification and they had no local family. There were many barriers along the way to obtaining basic necessities for this individual including shelter, food, clothing, personal items, a cell phone. The Red Cross only covers $500 towards expenses after a qualifying event. Home insurance policies (if any) also take time to kick in.
Home Repair Assistance
A resident with cancer needed help getting her roof repaired as the leaks would have a negative impact on her health. She was found not eligible for assistance through many difference programs and eventually the town Social Service Team used 5 different non-profits to assist her.
Poverty Level
21% of Cohasset households are considered low income, earning less than 80% of the area median income of $187,060.
Public Health Reliance
COST BURDENED
34% of Cohasset households experience some degree of housing cost burden, w/ 15% being severely cost burdened.