Help leaving domestic violence in Alabama
We've found 10 places in Alabama for people leaving an abuser, mostly in Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile, and 6 that serve the whole state. Our volunteers haven't confirmed these yet, so a quick call ahead is worth it. Most of them help with shelter & housing (6), legal help (5) and safety & protection (4).
Places in Alabama
Alabama Domestic Violence Hotline
Statewide 24-hour line run by Alabama's DV coalition. Advocates do safety planning, arrange temporary housing, and refer callers to the nearest certified shelter or legal help. Call any hour; the website also has a quick-escape button and advises using a safe device.
211 Connects Alabama
Dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Alabama to reach a specialist who looks up food, housing, health care, jobs, legal, transport, and warming-station resources near you. Texting your ZIP code to 898-211 returns local options by text.
Center for Health Statistics – Vital Records
Where Alabamians get certified birth certificates. Walk into any county health department in the state and most certificates are printed while you wait; mail orders take about 7–10 days. Search fee is $15, extra copies $6 each. ID is required for restricted records.
Food Assistance (SNAP)
Alabama's SNAP program is run by DHR. Apply online through the MyDHR portal, or pick up a paper application at any county DHR office. Benefits depend on household size and income under USDA rules.
Alabama Medicaid Agency
State Medicaid office. The Recipient Call Center answers questions about eligibility and applications on weekdays; applications can be filed online or turned in to the office or worker handling your case.
Jessie's Place
Jimmie Hale Mission's center for women and children in downtown Birmingham. Provides shelter, meals, and recovery and life-skills programming free of charge; mothers can stay with their kids.
Legal Services Alabama
Free civil legal aid for low-income Alabamians, with offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery and five other cities. Handles protection-from-abuse orders, custody, eviction, public benefits denials, consumer debt, and voting-rights restoration for people with convictions. Apply by phone or online.
Family Sunshine Center
Central Alabama's DV, sexual assault, and trafficking agency covering Montgomery and six surrounding counties. The 24-hour crisis line accepts collect calls and leads to free shelter, counseling, and court advocacy.
Penelope House
Mobile's domestic violence shelter for victims and their children, offering safe housing, advocacy, and education. Reach an advocate on the 24-hour crisis line; the shelter address is not public.
Crisis Services of North Alabama
Huntsville-based agency running the 24-hour HELPline, HOPE Place DV shelter, and sexual assault advocacy and forensic exams. No qualification needed; services are free to anyone in the community.
National lines that work in Alabama
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.