A free, confidential helpline that connects you to local help with rent, food, utilities, shelter, and more; just dial 2-1-1 from any phone, any time, anywhere in the US.

Type in your zip code and see a huge searchable directory of free and reduced-cost help near you — food, housing, bills, health care, and more.

The federal government's official tool (it replaced Benefits.gov) that asks a few questions and shows every government benefit you may qualify for; call 1-844-872-4681 for help.

Free, government-approved counselors who help you avoid eviction or foreclosure and figure out your housing options; call 800-569-4287 to find one near you.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's guide to finding rental assistance programs in your state and knowing your rights as a renter.

If you're facing homelessness tonight, HUD's "Find Shelter" tool and local Continuum of Care agencies can point you to emergency shelter and housing programs; calling 211 works too.

If you need to leave an unsafe home, advocates can help you find emergency housing and make a safety plan; call 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788, 24/7.

A simple directory of shelters, transitional housing, and free services you can browse by state and city.

Local Salvation Army centers offer emergency help with rent, utilities, food, and other urgent bills; use the site's location finder to contact the one nearest you.

Helps people of any faith (or none) with emergency financial assistance, food, and housing through local agencies across the country.

Volunteers from local chapters visit or call to help with rent, utilities, food, and furniture, no religious affiliation required.

Gives small emergency grants (paid directly to your landlord, utility, or mechanic) to working people hit by a one-time crisis they can't cover.

Every county has a Community Action Agency offering emergency assistance, utility help, and other programs; use the "Find a CAP" tool to locate yours.

Monthly cash assistance for very-low-income families with children; each state runs its own version under its own name, so apply through your state's human services office.

A nonprofit that helps you apply for hospital "charity care" — free or discounted care most nonprofit hospitals must offer — and will even fill out the paperwork with you.

Formerly RIP Medical Debt; buys and erases medical debt for people in hardship (you can't apply directly, but their site explains your options and rights).

Grants that help underinsured people pay copays, premiums, and treatment costs for specific illnesses; call 800-675-8416.

Helps people with chronic and serious illnesses afford their out-of-pocket medication costs; call 866-316-7263.

A free information hub (along with RxAssist.org) on patient assistance programs, drug discounts, and low-cost clinics; call 800-503-6897.

Free coupons that often cut prescription prices dramatically at your regular pharmacy — no insurance or sign-up needed.

Mark Cuban's online pharmacy that sells hundreds of generic medications at cost plus a small flat markup, often far cheaper than insurance copays.

Free case managers who fight insurance denials, negotiate medical bills, and offer small copay relief grants; call 800-532-5274.

Federal money that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills and fix broken furnaces; find your state's program with this tool or call 1-866-674-6327.

Free home improvements (insulation, sealing, heating repairs) that permanently lower your energy bills if your income qualifies.

A federal discount on phone or internet service for low-income households; call 800-234-9473 to check eligibility and apply.

One more tip: most gas, electric, and water companies have their own hardship funds and payment plans

call the number on your bill and ask about "customer assistance programs" before an account goes to shutoff.

Monthly money on a debit-style card for groceries; each state has its own application, so use this directory to find yours or call the hotline at 1-800-221-5689.

Free healthy food, formula, and nutrition support for pregnant people and children under 5 — many working families qualify.

Find your local food bank and free food pantries; no paperwork is needed at most pantries, just show up.

Free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch for kids; ask your school's front office for the short application any time of year.

Delivers meals to seniors and homebound neighbors; use the "Find Meals" tool to reach your local program.

Call or text 1-800-548-6479 to find free food near you today; the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 helps too (Spanish: 1-877-842-6273).

A free app and website that maps food pantries near you with hours and directions.

Free or very low-cost health coverage for people with low incomes — you can apply any time of year; call 1-800-318-2596 for help.

Federally funded community clinics that see everyone — insured or not — and charge on a sliding scale based on what you can afford.

A locator for 1,400+ free and charitable clinics run by the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics.

A simple directory of free and low-cost clinics you can browse by state and city.

Good to know: under federal law (ACA section 501(r)), nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy

ask any hospital for their "financial assistance" or "charity care" application before paying a big bill.

Call or text 988 any time you're in emotional pain, thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else — free, confidential, 24/7.

Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor by text, any hour, about anything that feels overwhelming.

Free, confidential 24/7 referrals for mental health and substance use treatment; call 1-800-662-4357.

Crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people; call 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or chat online, 24/7.

For veterans, service members, and their families: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.

Warm, knowledgeable volunteers who help you find mental health care, support groups, and answers; call 1-800-950-6264 or text "helpline" to 62640.

Warmlines are free peer-support phone lines for when you need to talk but aren't in crisis; find one for your state here.

Free early education, meals, and family support for babies and preschoolers in low-income families.

Helps you find local child care and learn about state programs that pay part of the cost; call 1-800-424-2246.

Find a diaper bank near you for free diapers and period supplies.

Distributes diapers, formula, clothing, and other essentials to families in need through partner organizations nationwide.

Call 1-855-427-2736 to talk through parenting stress and get connected to family support; many states also run a 1-800-CHILDREN line.

The Department of Labor's hub for finding your local American Job Center, free job training, and resume help; call 1-877-872-5627.

If you lost a job through no fault of your own, weekly payments can tide you over; this page links to your state's application — file as soon as possible.

If you have Medicaid, you're entitled to free rides to medical appointments — ask your state Medicaid office or health plan about "non-emergency medical transportation."

Local Goodwills offer free job training, career coaching, and sometimes help with work clothes and transportation.

Also worth trying: Modest Needs (above) covers work-related emergencies like car repairs, and many areas have "Wheels to Work" low-cost car programs

search that phrase with your state, or ask 211.

Look up the free civil legal aid office that serves your county for help with evictions, benefits denials, debt, and family law.

Plain-language legal information and links to free legal help, organized by state and topic.

Helps low-income immigrants find free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal services near them.

A free, confidential online tool that helps immigrants understand their legal options and connects them to trustworthy help.

A searchable national directory of nonprofit immigration legal service providers.

Simple guides to your rights with police, ICE, landlords, debt collectors, and more, in multiple languages.

If you have to go to court without a lawyer, most state court websites have free "self-help" centers and form libraries

search your state's name plus "court self-help."

Health care, disability pay, pensions, and more for veterans; call MyVA411 at 800-698-2411 any time to get pointed in the right direction.

Rapid help with housing, rent, and deposits for veterans who are homeless or about to be; call the VA homeless line at 877-424-3838 (877-4AID-VET), 24/7.

The National Council on Aging's free tool that shows older adults every benefit program they may qualify for, from food to prescriptions.

Connects seniors and caregivers to local services like meals, transportation, and in-home help; call 1-800-677-1116.

Monthly payments if a disability keeps you from working, or if you're a low-income senior or disabled person; apply online or call 1-800-772-1213.

Confidential support, safety planning, and local referrals for anyone experiencing abuse; call 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

Peer support by and for trans people, plus small grants for things like ID changes; call 877-565-8860.