Call 2-1-1. Get Connected. Get Help.
2-1-1 is a toll-free phone number, operated by the United Way, which connects people with community resources to get the help they need for their families. When you dial 211, you will reach a trained, caring professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access 2-1-1 online at www.211helps.org.
When you call 2-1-1…
Share with the resource specialist:
- I live in (Missouri or Illinois).
- I need help near (city/town or zip code).
- I need help today (or this week/month).
Things you might need help with today:
- Getting food or baby formula
- Emergency shelter
- Staying safe or keeping your children or parents safe
- Emergency rent or mortgage payment assistance
- Emergency utility payment assistance
- Finding diapers, clothing, or personal care/grooming items
- Supporting a person with mental health issues
- Paying for an important prescription medication
Additional information that might be helpful for the 2-1-1 team to know includes:
- My family is homeless.
- I (or your child) have a disability.
- English is my family’s second language.
Other ways 2-1-1 can help!
Daily Living
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- Get SNAP or WIC benefits
- Food pantry & thrift store locations
- Meal delivery for seniors
- Summer meals for kids
- Life skills education
Housing Utilities
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- Long-term housing
- Set up utility payment assistance
- Furniture or household items
- Supported living (seniors, persons with mental health issues, or persons with disabilities)
Transportation
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- Community ride programs
- Car seat safety
- Senior, disability-related, or non-emergency medical transportation
Legal
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- Rights of seniors & persons with disabilities
- Crime victim support
- Services for veterans
- Medicaid or Medicare information
- Social security, workman’s comp, or unemployment payments
- Employment or housing discrimination
Education
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- Special education rights advocacy
- Disability awareness & support
- School supplies
- Tutoring
- Computer literacy
- Language interpretation
- Job readiness & job search
- Adult literacy & language learning
Health
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- Pregnancy or breastfeeding support
- Family doctors & pediatricians
- Immunizations
- Clinic visits
- Medical testing/screening
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Aging resources & support
Income Support
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- Caregiver subsidies
- Child care payment assistance
- Finance counseling/planning
- Career counseling
- Tax preparation & information
Individual or Family Support
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- Parenting programs
- Child care & after-school programs
- Disease management & support
- Animal care
- Holiday assistance
- Death & burial services
Mental Health Addictions
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- Counseling: Anger management, abuse survivor, marital, play therapy, grief
- Mental health treatment & support groups
- Substance abuse treatment & support groups
Environment/Arts/Recreation
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- Respite care & funding
- Playground/parks/campground locations
- Special Olympics
- Arts/crafts activities & art therapy
- Sports, exercise, and swim programs
- Day and residential camps (including therapeutic & disability-specific)
Disaster Services
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- Cooling centers
- Personal protective equipment
- Public internet access
- Disaster recovery (weather, earthquake, fire, etc.): food, shelter, personal care items, clothing, emergency payment support, library locations
- Post-disaster counseling
Consumer, Information, or Municipal Services
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- Product safety alerts/recalls
- Consumer safety: food, medications, cosmetics, medical devices
- Permits & licenses
- Voter registration
- Identity theft
- Support for military families
- Do-Not-Call & Junk Mail Registry