When financial difficulties arise, help is just a phone call away. Dialing 211 will access financial services and resources in your community. This free service is available to the U.S. population covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

What Is 211?

The 211 network comprises various agencies working together to help residents find resources and assistance. Callers who dial 211 can be connected with local agencies that can help. The service is designed to assist those who are elderly, disabled, or experiencing a personal crisis and accommodates individuals who are not fluent in English, are new to their community, or have limited reading skills.

Services are located for veterans, individuals struggling with mental illnesses or special needs, people experiencing domestic violence, individuals who have encountered a natural disaster, and ex-offenders who need help after incarceration. Nonprofit organizations like Goodwill and United Way support the service which responded to 15.3 million requests and made 19 million referrals in 2023.

History

A coalition of United Way organizations and community-based groups recognized the need for a national helpline to connect individuals with community resources and services. In 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated "211" as the national abbreviated dialing code, launched in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 2006, Congress passed the "Calling for 2-1-1 Act," which authorized federal funding for 211 services. By calling this number, individuals are connected ♉with options for help, including 🦹federal, state, and local programs that offer financial assistance.

Financial Assistance

The 211 network operates by referral for financial assistance that includes:

• Making rent or mortgage payments
• Paying utilities (including electric bills, gas bills, propane bills, and water bills)
• Applying for Medicaid or Medicare assistance
• Getting health insurance
• Covering childcare expenses
• Paying for medical care or prescription drugs
• Purchasing food
• Getting gas money or bus fare
• Preventing homelessness
• Paying burial and cremation expenses
• Training or transportation assistance to get to work
• Applying for 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  

Programs and Resources

Callers with financial needs may 🦩be referred to pro♏grams such as:

• 🐻Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A federal program that funds local agencies to help with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs.
• 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Supplemental🎀 Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Provides those struggling with 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:food insecurity a list of food pantries or food banks in their area.
• 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Women, Infants, ℱand Children (WIC) program: Provides individuals with supplemental food assistance.
• Debt counseling: For individuals having trouble paying credit cards or loans. A nonprofit 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:credit counselor can review the financial situation, including budget, spending habits, and debts, to ꦓ澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:heꦉlp develop a solution for managing it.

Other Help Offered by 211

The 211 network encompasses a broad range of organizations with access to:

• Mental health resources
• Drug and alcohol abuse rehabilitation programs
• Elderly care support
• Child, youth, or family support
• Suicide prevention services
• Work assistance services

How 211 Works

Callers begin by dialing 211. The call is routed to a local or regional calling center. A 211 center referral specialist will ask what hꦕelp is required and then connect the caller with an appropriate agency or organization. Callers may need to complete an application with the local social services department or referral agency.

Getting a referral from 211 doesn’t automatically mean tཧhat each qualifies for benef🧔its. Social services programs usually base qualifications on income, household size, or financial assets.

The Bottom Line

211 connects callers, at no cost, to critical financial and social services in their community. Where 911 is used for more urgent emergenc♐ies, 211 is a resource individuals can use for services, including financial assistance. This resource can guide individuals to programs to help prevent homelessness, aid job training, make mortgage payments, or obtain healthcare coverage.