Help for trafficking survivors in Missouri
We've found 8 places in Missouri for people leaving trafficking, mostly in St. Louis and Kansas City, and 5 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 food (3), benefits & cash (3) and health & medication (3).
Places in Missouri
United Way 211 Missouri
Free information and referral line covering all of Missouri and Illinois. A specialist looks up shelter beds, food pantries, utility help, and treatment openings in a database of thousands of nonprofits and connects you by phone, text, or chat.
Refugee Resettlement Program
State office that funds social, employment, cash, and medical assistance for refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, certified trafficking victims, and Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants. Services are delivered through contracted agencies in St. Louis, Springfield, Kansas City, Columbia, and Jefferson City rather than at a state office.
Bureau of Vital Records
Issues certified Missouri birth and death certificates. You can order by mail or online, visit the Jefferson City lobby by appointment, or walk into one of 115 local public health offices around the state. Identification is required to receive a record.
Missouri Nondriver ID
A state nondriver identification card costs $24 and is good for up to six years; a nondriver ID issued for voting purposes is free. Apply at any Missouri license office with proof of identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and Missouri address.
Family Support Division Benefits (myDSS)
Apply for SNAP food benefits, MO HealthNet (Medicaid), Temporary Assistance, and child care subsidy in one place. Applications, document uploads, and status checks are online at myDSS.mo.gov; interviews are done by phone and a statewide information line answers questions.
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Free civil lawyers for low-income people in 21 eastern Missouri counties, including eviction defense, protective orders through the Lasting Solutions family law unit, public benefits appeals, consumer debt, and immigration. Interpreters are arranged if you ask on the first call.
Healing Action Network
St. Louis survivor-led program for people who have experienced sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation. Clients get an intensive case manager, a certified peer specialist, trauma therapy, and basic needs help including bus passes, food, and hygiene items.
Legal Aid of Western Missouri
Free civil legal help across 40 western Missouri counties from offices in Kansas City, Independence, St. Joseph, Joplin, and Warrensburg. Cases include protection orders, evictions, public benefits, municipal court defense, and immigration.
National lines that work in Missouri
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 Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.