Emergency Help
Emergency Financial Resources
Free help for food, shelter, utilities, and financial crisis. These resources are not lenders — they provide immediate assistance and connect you to longer-term help.
Emergency hotlines (call now)
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. The lines below are free, confidential, and available 24/7 unless noted.
211
Call 211Dial 211 from any phone for local emergency aid — food, shelter, utility help, mental health. Available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call 988For emotional crisis, overwhelming financial stress, or suicidal thoughts. Free and confidential, 24/7.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233Safety planning, shelter referrals, and financial abuse support. 24/7, confidential.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Eldercare Locator
Call 1-800-677-1116Connects older adults and caregivers to local services — meals, transportation, benefits counseling.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)
Food assistance
SNAP (Food Stamps)
Monthly food benefits loaded onto an EBT card. Apply through your state agency.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Feeding America food banks
Locate a food bank or pantry near you — no income documentation required at most sites.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)WIC (Women, Infants, Children)
Nutrition assistance for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)National School Lunch Program
Free or reduced-price school meals for kids in qualifying families.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Meals on Wheels
Home-delivered meals for seniors who cannot easily shop or cook.
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Housing & utility help
LIHEAP (utility bill help)
Federal help paying heating, cooling, and sometimes past-due electric bills. Can prevent shutoffs.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)HUD housing counseling
Free advice on renting, buying, avoiding eviction, or foreclosure prevention — from HUD-approved counselors.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Salvation Army emergency assistance
Emergency shelter, rent assistance, and utility help through local corps offices.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Catholic Charities emergency aid
Serves everyone regardless of faith — food, shelter, rent, and case management.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Community Action Agencies
Local nonprofits funded to fight poverty — weatherization, rent help, Head Start, and more.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher
Long-term rental assistance. Waitlists are often long — apply as early as possible.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)
Free financial counseling
NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling)
Nonprofit network offering free credit counseling, debt management, and budgeting help.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Operation HOPE
Free financial coaching focused on credit building, homeownership, and small business.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)HUD-approved housing counselors
Best resource for foreclosure prevention and pre-purchase counseling. Free.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)GreenPath Financial Wellness
Nonprofit counseling for debt, student loans, and credit — free initial sessions.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Money Management International
Nonprofit credit counseling, debt management plans, and bankruptcy counseling.
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Free or low-cost legal help
Legal Services Corporation — find legal aid
Locate a civil legal aid office in your state. Covers evictions, benefits denials, domestic abuse, and more.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Pro Bono Net
Directory of free legal help, self-help tools, and volunteer attorneys by state.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)ABA Free Legal Answers
Post a civil legal question online and a volunteer attorney in your state will answer — free.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)
Help for specific communities
Veterans Crisis Line
Call 988Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255. Confidential support for veterans and their loved ones.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)Native CDFI Network
Directory of Native-led CDFIs and the BIA Welfare Assistance program for tribal communities.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)National Immigration Legal Services Directory
Find free or low-cost immigration legal help for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Visit website → (opens in new tab)The Trevor Project
Call 1-866-488-7386Crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people. Call, text, or chat 24/7.
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Watch out for scams
Real government aid is free. Never pay a fee for a 'grant,' a 'loan approval,' or 'debt relief.' Avoid:
- Fake government grant offers that ask for a processing fee
- Advance-fee loan scams — no real lender charges money before a loan
- Payday loan rollovers that trap you in growing debt
- Debt settlement companies that charge thousands to 'negotiate' what you could handle for free with a nonprofit counselor