Business Assistance
The coronavirus outbreak and the social distancing precautions it necessitates are having a big impact on Somerville businesses and the surrounding business community. We understand the stress that our entrepreneurs, workers, suppliers, and freelancers are under given the uncertainty of the situation and the level of disruption to daily life.
- The City is offering free one-on-one coaching assistance to businesses based in Somerville or owned by Somerville residents that have been affected by COVID-19. Get help with loan applications, financial planning, restaurant operations, and more. To apply for this program, please fill out this application. Coaching is also available in Spanish, Portuguese, and Nepali. You can also contact the Economic Development team at EconomicDevelopment@somervillema.gov.
- The City’s Economic Development team offers an e-newsletter for businesses. It’s sent frequently and includes the latest information, resources, and initiatives for our local business community.
“Wear a Mask” posters for businesses are available for download here.
Employee Assistance
I lost my job or part of my income. What should I do?
- File for unemployment: The MA Department of Unemployment Assistance has resources for employees.
- To file for unemployment benefits, click here. To file for unemployment benefits in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Chinese, or Vietnamese, click here.
- For assistance with your Unemployment Insurance (UI) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) application, contact the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) by phone at (877) 626-6800 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, 8 a.m–12 p.m. Saturday. Multilingual call agents are available.
- Apply for transitional cash assistance:
- Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) is a cash assistance program for families with children under 18. Find out if you’re eligible here, and apply online here.
- Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) is for disabled individuals who are not yet on SSI (supplemental security income). Find out if you’re eligible here, and apply online here. A representative will follow up with a phone call once you complete the online application.
- You can apply for cash benefits by phone by calling the MA Department of Transitional Assistance Ombudsman Office at 617-348-5354 or the DTA Assistance Line at (877) 382-2363 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- If you need assistance with food, rent or other basic needs, please call 311 (617-666-3311) for assistance in your language.
What are my rights to sick time during the pandemic?
The Massachusetts COVID-19 Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program requires employers to make paid leave time available to employees for COVID-related illnesses, quarantine, and vaccinations. Employers may then apply for reimbursement from the state. For questions regarding the COVID-19 Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program, employers can email CovidSickLeave@mass.gov . For questions on applying for employer reimbursements, employers can email ESL@dor.state.ma.us.
Under the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law, most employees in the state have the right to earn and use up to 40 hours of job-protected sick leave per year to take care of themselves and certain family members. Click here for more information about employee rights and employer obligations in Massachusetts during this pandemic.
The Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave program also provides most W-2 and some 1099 workers with paid leave for family or medical reasons. More information about this program, including how to apply and eligibility requirements can be found here. You can also call the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave at (833) 344-7365, Monday-Friday 8 a.m - 5 p.m.
Artist Assistance
What resources are available for artists?
The Somerville Arts Council announces grant opportunities for local artists on their webpage here.
Student Assistance
COVID-19 Relief for Student Loans
The Biden Administration extended the pause on federal student loans owned by the U.S. Department of Education until May 1, 2022. The relief includes suspended monthly payments, waived interest, and stopped collections on eligible loans including Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans held by the federal government. Learn more on the Federal Student Aid Coronavirus page.
Funds for Bereaved Families
Funeral and Burial Cost Assistance
Some funding may be available through the MA Department of Transitional Assistance to help pay for a funeral and burial. More information about eligibility can be found here.
FEMA is also providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Applications are accepted by phone only. Please visit the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance page for details on how to apply.
Federal Aid & Stimulus Checks
To date, the federal government has passed three major pieces of legislation to support COVID-19 relief efforts: the CARES Act in March 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December 2020, and the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021.
As of January 2022, the federal government has issued three Economic Impact Payments to qualifying individuals. If you were eligible for an stimulus check and did not receive one, please visit this IRS page to learn how to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit. You can check the status of your payment using the Get My Payment tool.
