First-Of-Its-Kind Program Gets Some Chelsea Families 'No Strings Attached'

CHELSEA, MA — Chelsea residents are now getting some “no strings attached” relief, thanks to a pilot program that’s the first of its kind in the country.

“Ever since the beginning, Chelsea has always been in a red zone, so to speak, and it continues to be that,” said Chelsea City Council President Roy Avellaneda. He said the program is designed to put money directly in the pockets of those who need it most. “Based on that what the application stated, they were either given a $200, $300 or $400 monthly stipend.”

More than 2,000 families chosen by a lottery system that included 3,600 applicants will be able to use this money for food and other necessities. The money will be given as debit cards, and Avellaneda said the program will help during the winter months, when people have to stand out in the cold for a box of food. He is also hoping that the cards will save some of the labor involved in running the food pantries.

Read more at CBS Boston