Public Safety Net in Mashpee

A Cape-wide coalition, co-run with the Barnstable County Sheriff, working on elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

For an active concern, call Elder Protective Services on 800-244-4630 in the day or the state hotline 800-922-2275 at night and weekends.

Service area

All 15 Cape towns (all 15 Councils on Aging are partners)

For older adults

Trains people who work with seniors every day to spot abuse, neglect and scams and to know how to report them.

Pays a one-off emergency bill — rent, utilities, car repair, medical costs — for Cape residents.

Free. Formerly the Needy Fund. Toll-free 800-422-1446.

Office

Hyannis

How to start

Call or email; an intake worker calls back in the order requests arrive. Phones answered weekdays only.

Who qualifies

Residents of Barnstable, Dukes or Nantucket County who have lived on the Cape or Islands at least 12 months in a row

Service area

All 15 Cape towns, plus Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket

For older adults

Can help with medicine, co-pays and medical equipment as well as heating fuel (oil, propane, wood) and utility bills.

Independent living centre: advocacy, benefits counselling, housing help and nursing home transition.

Free. 765 Attucks Lane. Toll-free 800-541-0282, voice and TTY.

Office

Hyannis

How to start

Call or email CORD to begin intake

Service area

Cape Cod and the Islands

For older adults

Its options counselor, working with Elder Services, helps seniors weigh staying home versus a nursing home, and helps nursing-home residents move back to the community.

FREE info, referral & in-home care assessment; runs Meals on Wheels & coordinates SHINE. Google 3.6/28 - the essential first call

Credentials

Free public/nonprofit resource

Cost

Free

How to start

Call Information & Referral at (508) 595-8106 or fill in the referral form on their website

Address

68 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660

Service area

All 15 Cape towns plus Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket (22 towns)

Languages

Interpreters available; website offers Haitian Creole, Portuguese and Spanish

Free 24/7 referral line for local services incl. veterans, fuel assistance, food & housing

Credentials

Free public/nonprofit resource

Cost

Free

How to start

Dial 2-1-1 or call toll-free 877-211-6277; you can also search online

Hours

24/7

Languages

Help available in many languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Chinese and Vietnamese

Food pantry, community meals, homeless outreach and hospital chaplaincy, open to anyone.

Free. Hands of Hope pantry in West Harwich, 508-432-1312.

Office

Hyannis

Address

232 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601

Free emergency repair or replacement of a broken furnace, boiler, burner or oil tank for homeowners who qualify for fuel assistance.

Ask for ext. 106. Runs in heating season, Nov 1–Apr 30. If you get fuel assistance (HEAP) you are likely eligible. Covers heating repairs and replacements, burners, oil tanks and limited asbestos removal; does not cover hot water heaters or plumbing. Email hwap@haconcapecod.org. Renters: your landlord must keep the heat working.

Cost

Free if eligible

How to start

Call (508) 771-5400 ext. 106 or email hwap@haconcapecod.org; apply for fuel assistance first if you have not

Hours

Heating season Nov 1–Apr 30

Address

255 Independence Drive, Hyannis, MA 02601

24/7 line to report suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an elder Reports can be made 24 hours a day, by phone or online. The state now calls this Adult Protective Services.

Credentials

Free public/nonprofit resource

Cost

Free

How to start

Call (800) 922-2275 any time, or report online (online reports need your name; phone reports can be anonymous)

Who qualifies

Adults 60+ living in the community in Massachusetts (not in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities)

Hours

24/7 by phone

For older adults

Local Adult Protective Services reviews each report, usually the same day, and any help plan is made with the older person's consent.

Report scams targeting seniors; case managers assist with reporting & resources

Credentials

Free public/nonprofit resource

Cost

Free

How to start

Call 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311) during hotline hours

Who qualifies

Anyone reporting fraud against a person 60 or older

Hours

Mon–Fri 10–6 Eastern

Languages

Spanish and other languages

For older adults

A case manager stays your contact and walks you through reporting to federal, state and local agencies.

Free, unbiased Medicare counseling; also booked through any Council on Aging

Credentials

Free public/nonprofit resource

Cost

Free

How to start

Call or use the state's 'Find a SHINE Counselor' tool to book a one-on-one session

Who qualifies

Massachusetts residents eligible for Medicare, and their caregivers

For older adults

Trained counselors help you compare Medicare plans and find savings on insurance and prescriptions.

Catholic volunteer charity that helps people in need from Buzzards Bay to Provincetown with food, clothing and emergency money for rent, utilities or medical bills.

There's no central number — call the parish group nearest you (full map at svdpcapecod.com/locations).

Cost

Free

Lower & Outer Cape

Chatham 508-237-7983 · West Harwich 508-432-2898 x4 · Brewster 508-385-7582 · Orleans 508-255-8080 · Wellfleet 508-349-2055 · Provincetown 508-487-0095 x4

Mid & Upper Cape

Hyannis 508-775-3073 · South Yarmouth 508-398-6623 · Centerville 508-771-5104 · Osterville 774-602-5719 · East Sandwich 508-833-1555 · Buzzards Bay 774-208-6723 · Pocasset 508-563-5317 · East Falmouth 508-563-7775

Who qualifies

Anyone in need — job loss, illness, or at risk of losing their home

How to start

Call your nearest parish group; a volunteer will arrange a home visit