60 listings
Verified means a RiseAid volunteer confirmed hours and intake within 12 months. Everything else is source-seeded; call ahead.
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.
211 Utah
Dial 2-1-1 for referrals to food, housing, utilities, health, and more anywhere in Utah.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
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.
GLIDE Daily Free Meals
Three free meals every day in San Francisco's Tenderloin with no eligibility requirements and no intake form. GLIDE also runs a Welcome Center, workforce development, a women's center, a transitional age youth program, and a legal clinic.
CDPH Vital Records
State office that issues certified copies of California birth certificates by mail. There is no public counter; orders are mailed through USPS and are not refundable once accepted.
California ID Card
Start the ID card application online, then visit a DMV office with your Social Security number and identity document. People experiencing homelessness and those fleeing domestic violence can get a no-fee ID; people on public assistance may qualify for a reduced-fee ID with form DL 937.
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.
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Issues certified copies of Florida birth certificates by mail, online through VitalChek, or at the walk-in office in Jacksonville. A computer-generated certificate costs $9 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy; county health departments can also issue records from 1917 forward.
Florida Driver License and ID Cards
FLHSMV's Division of Motorist Services issues Florida ID cards and driver licenses at service centers across the state; some take walk-ins and others require appointments. Renewals and replacements can be handled online through the MyDMV Portal.
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.
Legal Services of Greater Miami
Free civil legal help for low-income residents of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties on housing, benefits and other barriers to economic stability. Phone intake runs four afternoons a week; walk-in intake is Monday and Wednesday mornings.
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 Legal Services Program
Nonprofit law firm handling civil cases for low-income Georgians in the 154 counties outside metro Atlanta, through regional offices around the state. Statewide intake runs through a toll-free line.
Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Free civil legal help for people in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties who cannot afford a lawyer, with special projects for domestic violence survivors, veterans and people with disabilities. Online application is the fastest route; each county office also takes calls.
Georgia Cares
Statewide referral point for children and teens believed to be victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Caregivers, caseworkers and youth themselves can call to be connected with treatment and advocacy; emergencies go to 911 or the local DFCS office.
State Office of Vital Records
Issues certified Georgia birth certificates, the first document most people need before a state ID. Order online through ROVER for $25 plus $8 processing, by mail, or at a county vital records office; a physical government photo ID is required and standard processing can take up to ten weeks.
Indigent ID Card
Reduced-cost Georgia ID for people who cannot pay the normal fee. Get a voucher from an approved nonprofit Indigent Resource Provider, fill out the License/ID/Permit form online, then bring your documents to any DDS customer service center. A shelter or halfway-house letter dated within six months counts as proof of residency.
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.
The Night Ministry Youth Housing
Overnight emergency shelter (The Crib), interim housing up to 120 days, and long-term programs for Chicagoans ages 18 to 24, including a track for pregnant and parenting youth 16 to 22. Separate numbers for short-term beds and long-term programs.
Legal Aid Chicago
Free civil legal help for low-income Cook County residents. All new clients register by phone with the Client Screening Unit, which checks eligibility before assigning a case.
Division of Vital Records
State office for certified Illinois birth certificates. Order by mail with a copy of valid photo ID and a check to IDPH; mail processing takes about 12 weeks, so the county clerk where you were born is usually faster.
Illinois State ID Card
State law waives the ID card fee for people released from IDOC, Juvenile Justice, a federal prison in Illinois, or a county jail; for homeless applicants with an affirmation from a qualified person; and for youth in DCFS care ages 16 to 21. Apply at any Driver Services facility.
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.
Samaritas New Americans
One of Michigan's largest refugee resettlement agencies, with offices in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. Provides arrival resettlement, employment and education support, low-fee immigration legal help, case management, and refugee foster care.
Michigan Legal Help
Statewide self-help website with plain-language guides and court forms for people handling their own legal problems, including clearing criminal records, eviction, family law, and personal protection orders. Its Guide to Legal Help points you to a legal aid office or lawyer.
Michigan Vital Records Office
Issues certified copies of Michigan birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Order online or by phone through VitalChek, drop an application in the Lansing lobby drop box, or book an in-person appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Michigan State ID Card
A standard Michigan state ID costs $10 and must be issued in person at a Secretary of State office; some residents qualify for a no-fee card. Pre-apply online, then schedule an office visit, which averages about 20 minutes.
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.
Legal Aid of North Carolina Helpline
Free civil legal help for low-income North Carolinians with housing, benefits, family law, domestic violence protective orders, employment, and criminal record expunction. Apply by phone during weekday hours or online through JusticeHub at any time.
North Carolina Vital Records
Issues certified North Carolina birth certificates by mail, through VitalChek online or by phone, or in person at the Raleigh office by appointment only. The state search fee is $24 for the first copy; county Registers of Deeds can also issue birth certificates for births in their county.
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.
North Carolina State ID Card
A North Carolina ID card is free for anyone 17 or older and is issued at any driver license office on a walk-in basis, with the card mailed within 20 business days. Bring proof of identity and age, a Social Security card or proof of your number, and one proof of NC residency (two for a REAL ID).
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.
SaySo (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out)
Statewide, youth-led advocacy group for people ages 14 to 24 who are or have been in foster care, group homes, or other out-of-home placements. Members get life-skills training, transition events like It's My Transition and LINK UP, mentorship, and a voice with legislators on foster care policy.
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.
New York State Vital Records
Order a certified copy of a birth certificate for births outside New York City. Mail form DOH-4380 with $30 per copy and ID, or order online through the state's vendor for $45 plus a processing fee. Births in the five NYC boroughs are handled by the NYC Department of Health instead.
Non-Driver ID Card
State photo ID for people who do not drive, available to anyone with lawful status in the U.S. Use the DMV's online pre-screening tool to see which proofs you need, then apply in person at a DMV office; a temporary document is issued on the spot and the card comes by mail.
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.
The Legal Aid Society
Free civil, criminal, and juvenile legal representation for low-income New York City residents, covering housing, public benefits, immigration, family matters, parole revocation, and more. Call the main line or browse topic pages at legalaidnyc.org/get-help.
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.
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Free civil legal help for low-income residents of Northeast Ohio, with intake lines in eight languages and walk-in intake at the downtown Cleveland office. Apply by phone, online, or at neighborhood advice clinics in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties.
Ohio Legal Help
Statewide website with plain-language legal information, court forms, and a Find a Lawyer tool that points to legal aid by county. Covers housing, benefits, driver's license reinstatement, name changes, family safety, and immigration; no phone line, chat only.
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Issues certified Ohio birth certificates for $21.50 online, by mail, or in person. The Columbus state office handles same-day birth records weekdays 10 to 2 by credit card; more than 100 local health departments also issue them.