40 listings
Verified means a RiseAid volunteer confirmed hours and intake within 12 months. Everything else is source-seeded; call ahead.
211 Utah
Dial 2-1-1 for referrals to food, housing, utilities, health, and more anywhere in Utah.
Utah Department of Workforce Services
Runs Utah's SNAP, Medicaid, financial assistance, and child care programs and the state's employment centers. The fastest way to apply or check a case is the myCase portal at jobs.utah.gov/mycase; employment centers around the state can help in person.
Transition to Adult Living (TAL)
DCFS program for youth leaving Utah foster care. Aftercare support can cover rent, bills, housing deposits, vehicle costs, and crises; education and employment funds, counseling, and medical and substance use supports are also available. Start with your assigned TAL coordinator, or email the coordinator team if you do not know who that is.
211 California
Network of county 211 call centers covering housing, food, utility help, health care, and mental health referrals across California. Use the Find Your 211 page to reach the center for your county, which can be called or texted.
Extended Foster Care (AB 12)
Lets California foster youth stay in care from 18 to 21 with case management, housing payments, and Independent Living Program services. Youth who already left care can re-enter before 21 by contacting their former social worker or county child welfare agency.
California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
Grant of up to $5,000 per year for college or vocational training for current and former foster youth under 26. Apply by filing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and then the one-time Chafee application.
CalFresh
California's SNAP food benefits program, applied for through your county's online application, by phone, or at a county social services office. Application forms are available in 16 languages.
MyACCESS Public Benefits
Florida's single application for SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, Temporary Cash Assistance and the Refugee Services Program. The MyACCESS self-service portal is open around the clock; a customer call center handles questions and case changes.
Extended Foster Care and Aftercare Services
Florida lets young people stay in foster care until 21 and offers Aftercare to anyone who turned 18 in DCF custody, with help available until the 23rd birthday. Aftercare covers mentoring, mental health and substance use support, life-skills and parenting classes, job training and temporary financial aid; a separate tuition exemption runs through age 28 and Medicaid through 26.
Florida's Independent Living Resource Center
Free statewide information-and-referral clearinghouse for current and former foster youth, run by Daniel Kids in Jacksonville. Staff answer questions about Extended Foster Care, PESS, Aftercare, Keys to Independence and other transition benefits and point youth to the right local contact.
211 Tampa Bay Cares (First Contact)
Round-the-clock information and referral for the Tampa Bay region, including a Homeless Helpline, a sexual assault services line, emergency financial assistance for adults and the 988 crisis line. Call, text your ZIP code, or chat online.
United Way 211 Greater Atlanta
Free, confidential referral line staffed around the clock that points Atlanta-area callers to rent and utility help, food pantries, shelter beds, and other services. The team also handles web chat and a texting option for people who cannot talk.
GA RYSE Independent Living Program (Chafee)
DFCS's program for teens and young adults who spent at least six months in Georgia foster care after age 14. An Independent Living Specialist enrolls the youth, builds a transitional living plan, and opens doors to Chafee funds, Education and Training Vouchers, and post-foster-care support up to age 21.
Georgia Gateway
The state's online portal for applying for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, Refugee Cash Assistance, WIC and childcare assistance, and for the Pathways to Coverage Medicaid option for adults 19–64. Applications are available in other languages and free interpreters are offered by phone.
211 Illinois
Free information and referral line for every Illinois resident needing non-emergency help with housing, utilities, food, mental health, or health care. Dial 211 or text your zip code any time of day.
DCFS Youth Hotline and Supporting Emancipated Youth
Young adults 18 to 21 whose DCFS case closed can ask to return to care through the Supporting Emancipated Youth program. The same Advocacy Office hotline takes complaints and questions from current and former youth in care.
ABE – Application for Benefits Eligibility
Illinois's portal and call center for SNAP, cash assistance, and Medicaid. Apply online or by paper form IL444-2378B; applications are reviewed at a local Family Community Resource Center, and emergency SNAP can be ready within five days.
Michigan 211
Free statewide information line that connects anyone in Michigan to local help with housing, food, utility bills, transportation, and clothing. Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to be matched with programs near you.
Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care (Foster Care Age 18-21)
Lets young adults who were in Michigan foster care stay in care voluntarily until 21, with continued foster care payments, a caseworker, health coverage, counseling, and independent living training. Contact your local MDHHS office and ask for the Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Liaison.
Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative (MYOI)
Program for current and former foster youth ages 14 to 23 that offers matched savings accounts, stipends for participating in events, life skills training, and youth leadership boards. Enrollment runs through a county MYOI coordinator.
MI Bridges
Michigan's online portal for applying for food assistance (SNAP), Medicaid, cash assistance, child care, and emergency relief, and for reporting changes on an open case. A help desk supports the website; Medicaid questions go to the beneficiary help line.
NC 211
Free, confidential information line that connects North Carolinians to verified help with housing, utilities, food, health care, and transportation. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone in the state and choose your language when prompted.
NC LINKS and Foster Care 18 to 21
North Carolina's Chafee independent living program (LINKS) for current and former foster youth ages 13 to 21, plus the Foster Care 18 to 21 extension that keeps young adults in care with financial support and case management while they work or go to school. Education and Training Vouchers up to $5,000 a year and the NC Reach scholarship are also run from here.
211 New York
Free, confidential information and referral line covering food, housing, utilities, health and mental health, and substance use anywhere in the state. Dial 211 or text your ZIP code; a guided online search is at search.211newyork.org.
Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP)
North Carolina's SNAP program, called FNS, pays monthly food benefits on an EBT card based on income and household size, and people experiencing homelessness are specifically listed as likely to qualify. Benefits are counted from the date the application is received, even if it is incomplete, so apply right away through ePASS or a county DSS.
NC Medicaid Application
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023, so most adults with low income can get coverage. Apply online through ePASS (listed as Medical Assistance), by phone or walk-in at your county DSS, or by mailing a signed application; decisions take up to 45 days, 90 for disability.
NYS Education and Training Voucher Program
Up to $5,000 a year toward college or vocational costs for young people who are or were in New York foster care. Apply online at etv-nys.smapply.org after filing the FAFSA; funding must start before age 21 and can run to age 26.
myBenefits (SNAP, HEAP, Public Assistance)
Online portal to apply for SNAP food benefits, HEAP heating help, and cash assistance, and to screen for Medicaid and other programs. Households with little or no money may qualify for expedited SNAP within seven days; call the Temporary Assistance Hotline to find your local office.
Ohio 211
Free information and referral line for housing, food, utilities, health care, recovery, and legal help across Ohio. Dial 211 from any phone or use the online chat; coverage is expanding to all 88 counties.
Ohio BRIDGES
Voluntary program for young adults who left Ohio foster care at 18 to 20. Participants get housing funding and a Bridges Liaison for case management as long as they are in school, working, in a job program, or have a documented impairment.
Ohio Benefits
Online portal to apply for SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, Ohio Works First cash assistance, and child care in one application using an OHID login. In-person and phone help is through your county Job and Family Services office; the Medicaid Consumer Hotline answers coverage questions.
PA 211
Free, confidential information and referral line for all of Pennsylvania. Call or text to be connected to local help with housing, utilities, food, employment and other needs; a searchable directory is at search.pa211.org.
Chafee Independent Living and Education and Training Grant
Pennsylvania's program for youth who were in foster care at 14 or older: county independent living services cover diploma completion, job training and placement, budgeting and daily living skills, with aftercare for those who exited care between 14 and 23. The Chafee Education and Training Grant pays up to $5,000 per academic year toward college, and state schools must waive tuition for eligible former foster youth.
Allegheny Link
Single call-in point for housing help in Allegheny County. Staff connect callers to emergency shelter and rental assistance, screen them for longer-term homeless housing programs using the Allegheny Housing Assessment, and refer households facing eviction to prevention programs.
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Free civil legal help for low-income Philadelphians with public benefits, housing, employment, debt, utilities, family matters and criminal record clearing including Clean Slate expungements. Two offices, Center City and North Philadelphia.
Apply for Benefits through COMPASS
Pennsylvania's application portal for SNAP, Medical Assistance, cash assistance and related programs. Apply online at COMPASS, through the myCOMPASS PA mobile app, by phone through the Statewide Customer Service Center, or in person at a County Assistance Office.
2-1-1 Texas
Free information and referral line for food, housing, health care, utility help and other local services anywhere in Texas. Dial 2-1-1 or the toll-free number, or use the English or Spanish live chat on the website.
Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)
DFPS program for youth 16 and older in foster care who are likely to stay in care until 18, with services available until the 21st birthday. Covers a life-skills assessment and training, a transitional living allowance of up to $1,000, and aftercare room-and-board help of up to $500 a month for ages 18 to 21.
Texas Foster Youth Justice Project
Free legal help for current and former foster youth, as well as young people who are homeless or lack family support. Also publishes plain-language guides on ID documents, Medicaid, housing, education and juvenile or criminal records.
Your Texas Benefits
The state's online portal to apply for SNAP food benefits, TANF cash help, Medicaid and CHIP health coverage, WIC, and support services. Applications can also be made at an HHSC benefit office or community partner.