Relief and Emergency Assistance for Community Hope
REACH, Relief and Emergency Assistance for Community Hope, provides transgender and nonbinary people in Massachusetts with emergency funds for a variety of expenses. Trans and nonbinary people experience economic inequities at some of the highest rates across the state and nationwide. In MTPC’s Working for Lived Equity (W4LE) 2019 community needs assessment, one in two trans people identified paying bills and emergency funds as a top concern regarding their basic needs. REACH aims to alleviate the financial hardships experienced by trans individuals in our community
What types of expenses does REACH provide emergency funding for?
Basic Needs: Essential expenses such as food, rental assistance, undergarments, hygiene and sanitary products, utilities, and transportation.
Medical Expenses: Urgent medical bills, medications, medical equipment, and transportation to/from appointments.
Mental Health Support: Counseling or therapy services for individuals experiencing emotional distress or trauma.
Disaster Recovery: Assistance for community members affected by unexpected disasters, including recovery costs or essential supplies.
Other Urgent Needs: Assistance with unforeseen emergency expenses.
How does it work?
Step 1: Complete REACH Emergency Funding application
All REACH applications must be submitted online using the form at the bottom of this page. If you need accessibility accommodations or cannot fill out this form for another reason, please email us at programs@masstpc.org and we will do our best to assist you. Applications submitted through the 18th of the month will be reviewed for disbursement within the same month. Applications submitted after the 18th of the month will be reviewed for the following month.
Step 2: MTPC reviews your application
Once our team of reviewers have evaluated your application, we will notify you in approximately 2-3 weeks. All applications will receive a response. There are two possible responses you will receive.
- Decline
Unfortunately, MTPC cannot assist every individual who requests financial assistance. If we determine that we’re not able to provide you with funds currently, we will let you know via email. Even if we’re not able to provide you funds, we can help you find other non-financial resources that may be helpful. If you would like this assistance, let us know and an MTPC team member will follow up with you.
- Request for Interview
Selected applicants will be contacted via email to schedule a brief interview with MTPC’s Director of Programs. This 15-minute meeting will take place via video conference or phone call and is conducted to verify application details and learn more about your situation.
After the interview, the MTPC team will review all of the information you have provided and determine whether we are able to send you funds. We will notify you of our decision via email within 2-3 business days. Remember that even if we’re not able to provide you funds, we can help you find other non-financial resources that may be helpful. If you would like this assistance, let us know and an MTPC team member will follow up with you.
Step 3: Selected applicants receive funds
If you have been selected to receive funds from REACH, we will disburse the funds within 2-3 business days. The funds will be sent via the agreed upon payment method. As a reminder, MTPC is not authorized to make payments via Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, or cash.
FAQ
Who is eligible for REACH?
Transgender and nonbinary people living in Massachusetts who are experiencing economic hardship and/or emergency expenses can apply to REACH.
How can I receive my emergency funds if my application is approved?
Your options to receive payment include physical check (mailed or pick-up in Downtown Boston) or an electronic funds transfer. If none of these options are accessible to you, contact us and we will explore other options.
How often can I apply for emergency funds? How much can I expect to receive?
We currently provide a maximum of $750 per applicant per year. You can apply as many times as needed up to that $750 total. The amount you receive will vary based on request, application volume, and available funds.
Will I need to submit any tax documents?
Applicants who receive $600 or more in emergency funds are required to submit a W-9 which asks for your Social Security number or Tax Identification Number. Please contact us if this poses as a concern for you.
Apply Now!
To access this form on a mobile device please use this link: https://forms.gle/7jkgJajfLs3D1i9Q8
