Constituent Resources
Fast links to local, state, and federal assistance.
Providing constituent services for individuals living in the 3rd Berkshire district is a central focus of our office’s work.
As your state representative, I am committed to serving your interests and addressing your needs, including helping you navigate local, state, and federal agencies, resolve concerns with public services, and access vital programs. While my office cannot compel a state agency to make a particular decision, we do work to ensure that your inquiry is understood, that you receive a timely and fair response, and that agencies take appropriate actions to address your needs.
The following list, aligned with my legislative priorities, includes some of the sources my team and I use to inform our work on your behalf. I hope you find it helpful, too.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or to recommend additional sources to be included. I'll be adding to it, too.
Contact our office at: serena.repleigh@gmail.com or (413) 854-4623
Elected Officials
United States Senator Elizabeth Warren
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4543
United States Senator Ed Markey
255 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2742
United States Representative Richard Neal
372 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5601
Massachusetts State Senator Paul Mark
24 Beacon St., Room 504
Boston, MA, 02133
Phone: (617) 722-1625
Housing Assistance
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) was established in 2023 to create more homes and lower housing costs for Massachusetts residents. EOHLC also distributes funding to municipalities, oversees the state-aided public housing portfolio, and operates the state's Emergency Family Shelter (EA) program.
For Emergency Housing Assistance, call 866-584-0653.
Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
Public Housing Assistance Programs
Homeownership Assistance Programs
Home Energy Assistance Programs
Upside 413 (formerly Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority)
Serving the Berkshires for over 30 years, Upside 413 is committed to providing innovative programming to improve the lives of Berkshire County residents through:
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Housing & Consumer Education Programming
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Dispute Resolution Services
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Comprehensive Legal and Educational Counseling Services
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Pre & Post Foreclosure Counseling
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Homelessness Prevention/Tenancy Preservation Services
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Homelessness Resolution and Housing Search Assistance
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Anti-poverty Resources
CONTACT
(413) 443-7138
Housing and Employment
Fuel Assistance
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is a free resource offered by Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) in partnership with the Department of Housing and Livable Communities. The goal of this program is to help low-income families pay their heating bills. All heating types may be eligible for assistance: oil, propane, electric, kerosene, coal, cord wood, wood pellets, and natural gas included. You may be eligible even if your utilities are included in your rent. All residents are encouraged to apply.
CONTACT
Berkshire Community Action Council
(413) 445-4503
Unemployment Assistance
If you’ve lost your job or have had your hours greatly reduced, you may qualify for state Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance. Start here to find information about UI and other programs the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) offers.
What to do if you’ve become unemployed in Massachusetts
UI eligibility and benefit amounts
Returning to work: FAQs for jobseekers
CONTACT
Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance
Department of Unemployment Call Center
(877) 626-6800
Immigrant Community Support
The Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) supports services that meet the cultural and linguistic needs of refugees and immigrants through a network of service providers in Massachusetts.
Citizenship for New Americans Program (CNAP)
Financial Literacy for Newcomers
Education, Youth, Health and Other Services
In addition to state supported services, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) is the largest coalition in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. The following links connect to MIRA resources.
REAL ID/Driver's License Resources
In Berkshire County, the Berkshire Immigrant Center advocates for the rights of all immigrants by helping them navigate the complex U.S. immigration system with affordable legal services, local resources, and education. The Center Berkshire provides its clients with tools to help them overcome financial and cultural barriers, with the goals of strengthening civic engagement and creating equal opportunity for all. Berkshire Immigrant Center supports changes to systems which are unjust to immigrants, and supports state and national immigration advocacy efforts.
CONTACT
Berkshire Immigration Center
88 South Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Ph: (413) 445-4881
Healthcare and Family Services
Health Insurance Assistance
Behavioral Health Assistance
Child Services
Domestic Violence Survivor Services
Emergency Food Assistance
Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services is comprised of 11 agencies and the MassHealth program. EOHHS promotes health, resilience, and independence with public health programs that touch every community in the Commonwealth. Click here for more information.
Health Insurance Assistance
Apply for MassHealth, the Health Safety Net, or the Children's Medical Security Plan
Go to Health Care For All or call their HelpLine at 1-800-272-4232 to get assistance with your health insurance application or benefits. Their team can assist you in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to as the Affordable Care Act or “ACA” for short, is the comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010.
The law has 3 primary goals:
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Make affordable health insurance available to more people. The law provides consumers with subsidies (“premium tax credits”) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
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Expand the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the FPL. Not all states have expanded their Medicaid programs.
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Support innovative medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally.
Go to Healthcare.gov to learn more.
The Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform helps people in Massachusetts get the mental health and substance use care they need, when and where they need it. Through a 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) and statewide network of Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs), the Roadmap connects people with supportive services right in their communities. Together, the Roadmap programs form a “front door” to behavioral health, making it easier than ever before for individuals and families across Massachusetts to access critical mental health and substance use services.
Find Behavioral Health Care Support and Services
Department of Mental Health Adult Services (Ages 19+)
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
Child Services
DOR Child Support Services and Enforcement
Probate and Family Court Child Support Services
Child Support Services through the Department of Revenue
Find a Licensed Child Care Provider
Report Abuse or Neglect
If you know or suspect abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or a person with a disability, please visit one of the following websites to learn more information.
Massachusetts Department of Children & Families
Disabled Persons Protection Commission
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Domestic Violence Survivor Services
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or is in an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
No one deserves to be abused. If you are a victim of abuse, you are not alone. The Commonwealth provides resources to help you make the decision to change or permanently end an abusive relationship you endure on a daily basis. Listed here are programs available to you nationwide and in western Massachusetts.
National Domestic Violence Outreach Services
SafeLink 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (877) 785-2020
SafeLink 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (877) 521-2601 (TTY)
National Domestic Violence 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 799-7233
National Sexual Assault 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 656-4673
In western Massachusetts, contact the Elizabeth Freeman Center 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (866) 401-2425
Since 1974 Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) has provided leadership and services to address domestic and sexual violence in Berkshire County. Every day, 24 hours a day, EFC confronts the life and death issues faced by people experiencing or affected by domestic abuse and sexual assault. They are the front line and major safety net in our community for victims seeking safety and a new life.
The services they offer are free and confidential, including:
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Emergency services including safe phones, food, transportation and shelter
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Safety planning what to do in case of emergency for whether you stay in or leave your home
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Help getting a protection order
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Information for yourself or someone you know
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Counseling and support
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Advocacy including on money and housing issues
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Specialized support for immigrant, LGBTQ, and child survivors
Emergency Food Assistance
FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333. This hotline is open to all and can help you find access to food resources across Massachusetts.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been feeding neighbors in need and leading the community to end hunger. Find a pantry or meal program here.
About SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps)
Veterans and Seniors
Veterans General Services
FEDERAL
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
STATE
Massachusetts Department of Veterans Affairs
Massachusetts National Guard
Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force
The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force was created in 2012 to protect and expand missions, jobs, and economic investments at and surrounding Massachusetts' military installations. Housed within the Office of the Governor and supported by the Executive Office of Economic Development and MassDevelopment, the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force coordinates among the state's military facilities to maximize their efficiency.
Veterans Education & Training
FEDERAL
GI Bill and Federal Veterans Education Benefits
STATE
Massachusetts Veterans Education Benefits
Veterans Employment Assistance
FEDERAL
Veterans Employment Center
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E)
Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Veterans Business Development
Department of Labor Veterans Resources
STATE
Veterans Online Employment Resources
Healthcare and VA Hospitals
FEDERAL
Find a VA Location
U.S. Veterans Health Administration
Health Resources for Women Veterans
Western Massachusetts
VA Central & Western Massachusetts Healthcare System
421 North Main Street
Leeds, MA 01053
Phone: (413) 584-4040
Memorials and Burials
Burial Benefits
Headstones, Markers and Medallions
Survivor Benefits
Spouse and Family Resources
NATIONAL
Blue Star Families
National Military Family Association
American Red Cross
United Service Organizations (USO)
STATE
Massachusetts National Guard Family Assistance Centers
USO New England
VA Vet Center in Western Massachusetts
Springfield
1985 Main St. (Northgate Plaza)
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: (413) 737-5167
Fax: (413) 733-0537
Veterans Service Organizations
FEDERAL
VA Directory of Veterans Service Organizations
The American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
American Veterans (AMVETS)
Military Officers Association of American (MOAA)
Wounded Warrior Project
STATE
Local Veterans Service Officers
American Legion Massachusetts
VFW Massachusetts
Home Base
Mental Health Resources for Veterans
State Resources for Senior Living
Massachusetts Home Care Program
The Home Care Program provides care management, care coordination, advocacy, education, and in-home and community support services for adults 60+, people with disabilities, and people under age 60 living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
Providing on-site services for older adults and people with disabilities who live in specific public housing or private subsidized housing buildings.
Congregate housing provides shared living arrangements for older adults and people with disabilities in affordable housing locations.
Certified by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) are private residences that offer, for a monthly fee, housing, meals, and personal care services to aging adults who live independently.
Continued Care Retirement Communities
Providing housing, services, and health care at one location.
Senior Long-Term Care and Protection
MassHealth offers long-term-care services at either a medical institution or in your home through a program known as Home- and Community-based Services Waivers (HCBS).
Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
Reporting Elder Abuse & Neglect
Family Caregiver Support Program
MassHealth for Seniors and People Who Need Long-Term-Care Services
Prescription Drug Assistance
Health Insurance Counseling
Health Insurance SHINE Program
Providing free health insurance information and assistance for Medicare eligible adults and their caregivers.
Providing healthy home-delivered and community group meals for older adults.
Massachusetts Senior Care Association
Reporting Elder Financial Abuse & Fraud
Department of Transitional Assistance for Seniors