crisis24/7
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential support for anyone in mental health crisis or emotional distress. Call, text, or chat 988.
988Official siteHelp Now · Free Hotlines
Real numbers. Real help.
These are verified federal and 501(c)(3) hotlines — free, confidential, and answered by real humans. You can call them directly, no application needed.
Crisis & Emergency
crisis24/7
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Confidential support for survivors of domestic violence. Safety planning, local shelter info, legal advocacy.
1-800-799-7233Official sitecrisis24/7
Disaster Distress Helpline
Crisis counseling for people affected by natural or human-caused disasters.
1-800-985-5990Official sitecrisis24/7
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, and their families. Dial 988 then press 1.
988 then 1Official siteFood
general24/7 in most areas
211 — Local Help, Any Need
United Way nationwide help line. Connects you with local food, housing, utility, healthcare, employment, and crisis services in your community.
2-1-1Official sitefoodMon–Fri, 8am–8pm ET
USDA National Hunger Hotline
Free help finding food banks, SNAP/EBT info, soup kitchens, and meal sites near you. English and Spanish operators.
1-866-348-6479En español: 1-877-842-6273Official siteHousing
general24/7 in most areas
211 — Local Help, Any Need
United Way nationwide help line. Connects you with local food, housing, utility, healthcare, employment, and crisis services in your community.
2-1-1Official sitehousingBusiness hours, Mon–Fri
HUD Housing Counseling
Find a HUD-approved housing counselor for help with renting, buying a home, foreclosure, or reverse mortgages — free or low-cost in your area.
1-800-569-4287Official sitehousingMon–Fri, 9am–5pm local time
HUD Fair Housing Discrimination
Report housing discrimination based on race, religion, disability, family status, or national origin.
1-800-669-9777Official siteUtility & Energy
general24/7 in most areas
211 — Local Help, Any Need
United Way nationwide help line. Connects you with local food, housing, utility, healthcare, employment, and crisis services in your community.
2-1-1Official siteutilityMon–Fri, 9am–7pm ET
LIHEAP / NEAR Energy Assistance
National Energy Assistance Referral hotline — connects you to your state LIHEAP office for help with heating, cooling, and weatherization bills.
1-866-674-6327Official siteHealthcare
general24/7 in most areas
211 — Local Help, Any Need
United Way nationwide help line. Connects you with local food, housing, utility, healthcare, employment, and crisis services in your community.
2-1-1Official sitehealthcare24/7
Healthcare.gov Marketplace
Help enrolling in ACA health insurance, finding subsidies, and navigating the federal marketplace. TTY: 1-855-889-4325.
1-800-318-2596Official sitehealthcare24/7
Medicare
1-800-MEDICARE — questions about Medicare enrollment, plans, claims, prescription drugs (Part D), or finding a doctor.
1-800-633-4227Official siteveteransMon–Fri, 8am–9pm ET
VA Benefits Hotline
Veteran benefits — health care enrollment, disability compensation, pensions, education (GI Bill), home loans, burial.
1-800-827-1000Official siteFinancial
general24/7 in most areas
211 — Local Help, Any Need
United Way nationwide help line. Connects you with local food, housing, utility, healthcare, employment, and crisis services in your community.
2-1-1Official sitefinancialMon–Fri, 8am–7pm local time
Social Security Administration
Apply for Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Replace cards, check status.
1-800-772-1213Official sitefinancialMon–Fri, 7am–7pm local time
IRS Individual Help Line
Tax filing help, refund status, payment plans, hardship installment agreements, offers in compromise.
1-800-829-1040Official siteeducationMon–Fri, 8am–11pm ET
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Help completing the FAFSA, finding Pell Grants, FSEOG awards, federal loans, and work-study programs.
1-800-433-3243Official siteeducationMon–Fri business hours
American Job Center / CareerOneStop
Free help finding jobs, training programs, career resources, and unemployment benefits info from the U.S. Department of Labor. Call 1-877-US2-JOBS.
1-877-872-5627Official siteveteransMon–Fri, 8am–9pm ET
VA Benefits Hotline
Veteran benefits — health care enrollment, disability compensation, pensions, education (GI Bill), home loans, burial.
1-800-827-1000Official siteEducation
educationMon–Fri, 8am–11pm ET
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Help completing the FAFSA, finding Pell Grants, FSEOG awards, federal loans, and work-study programs.
1-800-433-3243Official siteeducationMon–Fri business hours
American Job Center / CareerOneStop
Free help finding jobs, training programs, career resources, and unemployment benefits info from the U.S. Department of Labor. Call 1-877-US2-JOBS.
1-877-872-5627Official siteVeterans
veteransMon–Fri, 8am–9pm ET
VA Benefits Hotline
Veteran benefits — health care enrollment, disability compensation, pensions, education (GI Bill), home loans, burial.
1-800-827-1000Official sitecrisis24/7
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, and their families. Dial 988 then press 1.
988 then 1Official siteWant help navigating?
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