FREE Tax Preparation!

VITA is back!

It’s tax season again and CONNECT is offering free 2021 tax preparation! Our team of certified tax preparers is here to support income eligible households through our accessible and bilingual (Spanish and English) tax preparation process. Please leave a message on our hotline at 617-712-3487 (Ext 704 for English or 710 for Spanish) and one of our dedicated staff members will return your call to schedule an appointment with you.

¡VITA está de vuelta!

¡Es temporada de impuestos nuevamente y CONNECT ofrece preparación de impuestos gratis para 2021! Nuestro equipo de preparadores de impuestos certificados está aquí para apoyar a los hogares con ingresos elegibles a través de nuestro proceso de preparación de impuestos accesible y bilingüe (español e inglés). Deje un mensaje en nuestra línea directa al 617-712-3487 (Ext 704 para inglés o 710 para español) y uno de los miembros de nuestro personal dedicado le devolverá la llamada para programar una cita con usted.  

Free Housing Counseling and Housing Legal Assistance Services in City Hall

The City of Chelsea, in partnership with Housing Families, offers free legal assistance counseling services for low and moderate-income tenants from 10:00 am-1:00 pm every Monday in City Hall (H&CD Department, Room 102).
Residents can visit City Hall to meet with representatives from Housing Families to receive legal advice and information on housing rights and resources for tenants. This includes resources for tenants who are experiencing eviction, enduring housing instability, and under harassment. Other services offered include advice on housing counseling, housing search assistance, homelessness prevention services, and accessing other housing resources, including affordable housing.
Contact Housing Families by calling 781-322-9119 ext. 157
To file a complaint about housing health or safety issues, contact the Inspectional Services Department at 617-466-4132.

New Funding Available to Provide Utility Assistance for Chelsea Residents

Due to the pandemic and high natural gas prices worldwide, electricity and gas supply prices are expected to be very high this winter. The City of Chelsea has provided additional funding to support and supplement existing utility assistance programs.
The new funding comes from an allocation of the City’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds. The money is available to income-qualified Chelsea residents who are not eligible for existing utility or rent assistance programs, or for those who have already exhausted those options.
All low-income Chelsea residents are eligible for these programs, regardless of immigration status. Residents can apply for funding through a variety of ways:
  • Call CAPIC at 617-884-6130 and ask about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Call Metro Housing Boston at 617-425-6700
  • Call TND (The Neighborhood Developers) Connect at 617-712-3487
  • Call La Colaborativa at 617-889-6080
Chelsea residents are also reminded that they can ask their current utility providers if they are eligible for reduced payments. If you are a National Grid customer, contact 1-800-503-5172 to ask about payment options. If you are an Eversource customer, contact 1-800-592-5000 to ask about payment options.
We urge residents to apply for funding, or inquire about reduced payments now in order to avoid debt in the future.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information Session with Dr. Wanda Lopez-Rodriguez

 

On Tuesday, February 1, from 5:30-6:30pm, Chelsea Public Schools will host a presentation on the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly focusing on the pediatric vaccine, to CPS parents and families. MGH’s Dr. Wanda Lopez-Rodriguez will present in English and Spanish to parents and families about the facts and safety of the pediatric vaccine, and be available to answer any questions that parents and families may have. The Presentation will be on Zoom, and the link is available below:
When: Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

 

COVID-19 booster shots for everyone 12+ are now available at the vaccination clinic at the Chelsea Senior Center

As of January 11, 87% of the eligible
population (5 and over) is fully vaccinated.
Vaccination continues to be the most effective tool we have against the Omicron variant. We strongly encourage all residents to be vaccinated and receive the booster as soon as eligible. Full vaccination, with the booster, provides the very best protection against transmission and severe illness.
Chelsea Public Vaccination Site
Chelsea Senior Center – 10 Riley Way (across from City Hall, behind the Fire Station).
Walk-ups only.
  • The clinic will be temporarily closed on Fridays until February 4.
  • Saturdays and Sundays: 10:00 am -5:00 pm.
  • Mondays: 2:00 pm -6:00 pm.

Notice of Openings for Boards and Commissions in the City of Chelsea

Pursuant to the City of Chelsea Charter,
Section 9-5(d), this is a Notice of all Board and Commission upcoming vacancies in the City of Chelsea through June 30, 2022.
Information about each of these Boards is available at
Those interested in applying should send both a letter of interest and a resume either by mail to the City Manager, Chelsea City Hall, 500 Broadway, Chelsea, Massachusetts 02150 or by email to tambrosino@chelseama.gov.
Materials should be received by the close of business on Friday, February 4, 2022.

BJs Joins Massachusetts’ SNAP Online Purchasing Program

Massachusetts residents can now use SNAP benefits to buy food online from BJs

 

BOSTON  Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can now use their SNAP EBT benefits to buy groceries online from participating BJs stores for pickup and delivery. BJs is the seventh SNAP online retailer in the Commonwealth, joining Stop & Shop, Walmart and Amazon, as well as ALDI, Hannaford, Price Chopper and Stop & Shop via Instacart. Across retailers,’ residents have spent over $122 million in SNAP benefits to-date buying groceries online.

“SNAP online purchasing is one of several tools the Administration has utilized, alongside the continuation of SNAP Emergency Allotments, to combat food insecurity for Massachusetts individuals and families,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. “BJs participation in this program will help expand safe shopping options for households who utilize SNAP to help buy nutritious and culturally accessible food.”

“SNAP remains an important tool to help fight food insecurity by putting money directly into the hands of over 590,000 households and supporting our local communities, retailers and their employees,” said Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “Expanding approved online retailers promotes equity and safety for our residents receiving SNAP, allowing low-income households access to the same purchasing choices as other shoppers.”

All BJs clubs accept SNAP and now also accept SNAP EBT payments on BJs.com for in-Club curbside pickup, shipment to home and same day delivery. Similar to using SNAP benefits to purchase food in a store, benefits can be used to buy SNAP-eligible foods online, including fresh produce, frozen foods, dairy and eggs. For more information on the Massachusetts program, visit www.Mass.gov/SNAPOnline.

“We’re committed to providing our members with essential products and fresh food for their families at an unbeatable value,” said Monica Schwartz, executive vice president, chief digital officer, BJ’s Wholesale Club. “BJ’s is pleased to help increase access to SNAP-eligible foods through BJs.com, offering members across Massachusetts more flexibility to shop their way.”

SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for fees, like delivery fees. Economic assistance programs benefits received through DTA, which include Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC), and State Supplement Payments (SSP) cannot be used to purchase items online at this time. The USDA approves all retailers for participation in this program. Interested retailers can visit: www.FNS.USDA.gov/SNAP.

Residents can check their SNAP eligibility and apply online at www.DTAConnect.com or on the DTA Assistance Line at (877) 382-2363. SNAP is not considered in a public charge test. If one is not a US citizen or eligible immigrant, it is safe for them to get SNAP for an eligible family member (like a US citizen child). Currently, households are temporarily receiving increased SNAP benefit amounts and it is now easier than ever to apply.

About DTA

DTA assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one in seven residents of the Commonwealth with direct economic assistance and food assistance, as well as workforce training opportunities.

About BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.

Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ’s Wholesale Club is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States. The company currently operates 225 clubs and 155 BJ’s Gas® locations in 17 states. The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BJ).

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BJs Media Contact:

Kyle Byrnes

Corporate Communications & Community Affairs

kbyrnes@bjs.com

860-874-4396

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