Help leaving domestic violence in Mississippi
We've found 10 places in Mississippi for people leaving an abuser, mostly in Jackson and Biloxi, and 8 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 (4), safety & protection (3) and benefits & cash (3).
Places in Mississippi
Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The statewide coalition keeps a directory of every domestic violence shelter in Mississippi with each shelter's crisis line. Call the Jackson office or toll-free line to be pointed to the program covering your county, or use the national hotline after hours.
211 Mississippi Helpline
Free referral line covering all 82 Mississippi counties for food, housing and utility help, health care, crisis counseling, employment and family services. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone; the state reentry guide also lists a toll-free number.
Jackson Victim Services
Emergency shelter of 30 to 45 days for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Simpson, Issaquena, Sharkey, Yazoo, Warren and Copiah counties, with a crisis line answered around the clock. A Rapid Re-Housing program helps DV survivors who have lost housing move into their own place.
Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence
Six-county Gulf Coast provider with emergency shelters in Biloxi and Pascagoula, transitional housing, counseling, court advocacy, a free civil legal clinic and a forensic medical clinic. It also offers emergency shelter and case management specifically for human trafficking survivors. Everything is free and confidential.
Mississippi Center for Legal Services
Free civil legal aid for low-income people in the 43 central and southern counties, including Hinds, Harrison and Forrest. Handles housing, benefits, family and consumer matters from offices in Jackson, Hattiesburg, Gulfport and McComb; apply through the toll-free intake line or online.
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services
Free civil representation for low-income people in Mississippi's northern 39 counties, with offices in Oxford, Clarksdale, Greenville and West Point. New clients call the intake center, which is staffed Monday through Thursday.
Bureau of Vital Records
Issues certified copies of Mississippi birth, death and marriage certificates online, by phone or at the Ridgeland customer service window. Call the same number to correct a record.
Identification Cards
State photo ID for anyone six or older, $17 for four years or $33 for eight. Bring an original birth certificate or other accepted document, two proofs of residency, a Social Security card or official document showing the full number, and legal paperwork for any name change.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Monthly food benefits on an EBT card for low-income households. Apply online through the Access Mississippi portal or at your county MDHS office; you will be asked for proof of identity, residency and income, and the client services line answers questions.
Mississippi Division of Medicaid
Health coverage for children, pregnant women, low-income parents, and people who are aged, blind or disabled. Apply online at the Common Web Portal, by mail or fax, at one of 30 regional offices, or by calling the contact center to have an application mailed. Spanish-language applications are posted.
National lines that work in Mississippi
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.