Ensuring that individuals and families experiencing financial difficulty receive services and have access to resources needed to meet basic needs, improve quality of life, and work toward greater self-sufficiency.

JF&CS's Financial Assistance Program addresses the needs of people in the Jewish community and clients being served by one of the many programs of JF&CS. To help our clients foster economic independence, we provide a compassionate and holistic response through confidential and dignified services. Our Financial Assistance Program works in partnership with other Center for Basic Needs Assistance programs, including Bet Tzedek Legal Services and Family Table.

Resources for Urgent Needs

Emergency Financial Assistance

The Center for Family Assistance manages several emergency funds to assist people with low-income in regaining their economic stability. Financial assistance is available primarily for housing costs, moving expenses, fuel, and utilities.

Fuel and Utility Assistance Program

By providing comprehensive resource information, intensive advocacy, and, in some cases, strategically applied emergency financial assistance, we help families resolve fuel and energy crises. In addition, we often connect them to other sources of support including discount plans, heating resources, and financial assistance from government and private resources.

Jewish Burial Assistance

A fund to assist in providing a simple burial for Jewish people with limited resources.

Support for Kids Throughout the Year

B'nai Mitzvah Fund

We offer financial assistance for costs associated with a Bar/Bat Mitzvah including tutor, tallit, outfit, room rental, or Kiddush.

Holiday Gift Card Drive

We provide gift cards for our clients with children to enable them to purchase a holiday toy for their child/children.

Camp Scholarship Fund

Ensures that children whose families are struggling economically have the opportunity to attend summer camp.

Interest-Free Loans

Hebrew Free Loan

With financial support and in collaboration with CJP, JF&CS has been making interest-free loans for many years for Jewish life cycle events, adoption, home repairs, and car purchase. We have expanded the categories that a loan can be used for and increased the amount of the loans.

Categories of loans:

• Bridge Loans: Small loans for living expenses during a short period of time
• Lifecycle Ceremonies: Bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, or funerals
• Summer Camp, Gap Year, and Teen and Young Adult Israel Experiences
• New baby, fertility, adoption, or extension of maternity or paternity leave
• Car purchase or repairs
• Home repairs
• Move-in costs (first month's rent, last month's rent, security deposit)
• Healthcare not covered by insurance
• Care of older adults or people with disabilities
• Self-employed small business costs
• Small debt consolidation

Loans are available from $1,000 - $10,000 to households of moderate income. Residency in the Greater Boston community and a complete loan application are required. Please contact us by phone at 781-693-1255 or email HFL@jfcsboston.org.

Max Rosenfeld Loan

Max Rosenfeld Loan provides interest-free loans for the education, skill-building, and/or training of Jewish women living in Greater Boston for the purpose of expanding their employment opportunities. Applicants must be enrolling in a course, workshop, training, or program with the goal of increasing earning potential or employment opportunities. Programs offered by academic institutions must be accredited. Loan amounts are between $1,000 - $5,000.

You can help!

Celebrate your occasion with a JF&CS Mitzvah to Mitzvah basket and your donation directly assists a low income family in need to assist with bar/bat mitzvah expenses.

Income eligibility and other criteria apply. For information regarding these resources call us at 781-647-JFCS (5327) or email your questions via our contact us page.