I Need Help Right Now

Find a food bank or pantry today

Call 2-1-1 or go to feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank to find your nearest food bank. Most food banks distribute food without any income verification or application. You can usually get food the same day.

Apply for SNAP immediately

SNAP (food stamps) can be approved in as little as 7 days for households in urgent need — this is called expedited processing. Apply online through your state's SNAP portal or at your local SNAP office. Ask specifically about expedited benefits when you apply.

Check for summer or school meal sites (if you have children)

Children 18 and under can receive free meals at school during the school year and at community sites during summer. No application or income verification is required at most sites.

Contact your local community action agency

Community Action Agencies provide emergency food vouchers, pantry referrals, and other immediate assistance. Find yours through 2-1-1 or at communityactionpartnership.com.

If you have received an eviction notice — respond to the court

An eviction notice is not the same as being evicted. You have the right to appear in court and contest the eviction. Missing your court date almost always results in automatic eviction. Contact a legal aid organization immediately — many have eviction hotlines.

Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance

Emergency Rental Assistance programs pay rent and utility arrears directly to landlords and utilities. Availability and funding vary by location. Apply through your local community action agency or county social services office. Find resources at consumerfinance.gov/renthelp.

Call 2-1-1 for emergency shelter

Dial 2-1-1 (available in most areas) to find emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rapid rehousing programs in your community. If the local shelter is full, the coordinator can often connect you with alternatives.

Apply for longer-term housing assistance

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing both have long wait lists — but apply immediately. The sooner you are on the list, the sooner you will be housed. Apply to every Public Housing Authority in your region.

Contact your utility company directly — right now

Before anything else, call your utility company. Ask about: payment plans, low-income rate programs, moratorium protections (shutoffs may be prohibited in winter in your state), and whether they can delay shutoff while you apply for assistance.

Apply for LIHEAP emergency/crisis assistance

LIHEAP has an emergency component in most states that can process applications in 24-48 hours when a shutoff is imminent. Contact your local Community Action Agency immediately and explain it is an emergency. Do not wait for the regular application process.

Call 2-1-1

2-1-1 operators can connect you with utility assistance programs, community funds, and emergency resources in your area — including programs beyond LIHEAP.

Apply for WAP for permanent savings

The Weatherization Assistance Program permanently reduces your energy bills through free home improvements (insulation, sealing, furnace repair). Apply at the same agency handling LIHEAP — this is a longer-term solution.

Go to the emergency room for emergencies

Emergency rooms are legally required to treat you regardless of insurance or ability to pay under EMTALA. You will receive a bill, but hospitals have charity care programs that can forgive or reduce costs for low-income patients. Ask the hospital financial counselor about charity care or financial assistance.

Find a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)

FQHCs provide primary care, dental, mental health, and other services to everyone regardless of insurance or immigration status. Fees are on a sliding scale — some patients pay $0. For non-emergency care, FQHCs are faster and far cheaper than emergency rooms.

Apply for Medicaid immediately

If your income is low, you may qualify for Medicaid — which can cover the bills for care you just received retroactively (up to 3 months in some states). Apply immediately through your state Medicaid agency or healthcare.gov.

For prescription costs — ask about 340B or manufacturer programs

If you are prescribed an expensive medication, ask whether the prescribing clinic participates in the 340B drug pricing program (dramatically lower costs). Many pharmaceutical companies also have patient assistance programs for uninsured patients — ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are in immediate danger — call 911

If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911 or get to a safe location first. Your safety is the absolute priority.

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline

Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788 anytime, 24/7. Advocates can help you safety plan, find local shelters, and understand your options. The call is confidential. If you cannot speak freely, chat online at thehotline.org.

Connect with local shelter and legal services

Your local DV shelter can provide emergency housing, safety planning, and referrals to legal aid. VAWA-funded legal advocates can help with protective orders, custody, divorce, and housing — at no cost. Find services at womenslaw.org.

Understand your benefit rights

If you receive benefits jointly with an abusive partner, you may be able to obtain a separate SNAP case. Survivors of domestic violence are exempt from many SNAP and TANF requirements. Your local legal aid organization can help protect your access to benefits.

If you are in crisis — call or text 988

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) connects you immediately with a trained counselor. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7. You do not need to be suicidal to call — it is for any mental health crisis.

Text HOME to 741741 for Crisis Text Line

If you prefer to text, Crisis Text Line connects you with a trained crisis counselor by text message, free and confidential, 24/7.

Find a Community Mental Health Center

Community Mental Health Centers provide outpatient counseling and psychiatric services on a sliding fee scale — as low as $0 based on income. No insurance is required. Find one through SAMHSA at samhsa.gov/find-treatment or by calling 1-800-662-4357.

Apply for Medicaid to cover ongoing care

Medicaid covers mental health and substance use disorder treatment. If your income is low, apply now — coverage can begin the same month and retroactively cover recent treatment in some states.