Help in Arizona
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 20 places in Arizona, most of them in Phoenix, Tucson and Mesa, plus 10 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (12) and leaving an abuser (11).
Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Helpline
Statewide helpline run by Arizona's DV coalition that connects survivors with the local shelter or program that fits their situation. Call the Phoenix or toll-free number; staff can also explain options when a shelter is full.
211 Arizona
Arizona's information and referral line for food, shelter, utility help, reentry support, addiction treatment and confidential help leaving domestic violence. Dial 2-1-1 in state or the toll-free number, or search the online database.
A New Leaf
Mesa-based agency with shelters and housing programs for families and individuals, a 24-hour domestic violence hotline for Maricopa County shelter placement (480-890-3039 or 1-844-SAFEDVS), a 24-hour sexual violence helpline (480-733-3028), childcare and financial coaching. Call the main line or use Find Help Now on the website.
Northland Family Help Center
Flagstaff's gender-inclusive shelter for people fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault or trafficking, open every day of the year, plus a youth shelter, counseling and legal advocacy. Crisis lines answer around the clock; counseling and advocacy run weekday business hours.
Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse
Tucson's domestic abuse agency with a multilingual 24-hour hotline, safety planning, crisis intervention and emergency shelter. Call either hotline number any time; shelter location is confidential.
Sojourner Center
Phoenix shelter and housing provider for adults and children escaping domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking: emergency shelter up to 120 days, 32 transitional apartments for up to two years, and mobile community outreach. Reach the 24-hour hotline first; the shelter address is not public.
Community Legal Services
Nonprofit civil law firm serving central and northern Arizona with housing, domestic violence and family law, public benefits, employment and conviction set-aside help for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Apply online or call the Phoenix intake line on weekday mornings.
Southern Arizona Legal Aid (SALA)
Free civil legal aid for low-income residents of Pima, Santa Cruz, Pinal, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Navajo, Apache and Gila counties and 11 tribal nations, with high priority for crime victims. Apply online or call the Tucson office to schedule an intake.
Bureau of Vital Records
State office that issues certified Arizona birth certificates, needed for an MVD ID card. Order online, by mail to the PO Box, or in person at the Phoenix office on weekdays.
Arizona Identification (ID) Card
How to get a $12 Arizona state ID: start the application at AZMVDNow.gov, then finish at an MVD or authorized third-party office with a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security number and two proofs of Arizona address. Free for people 65 and older and some other groups.
Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and Health-e-Arizona Plus
Arizona's SNAP program, applied for alongside AHCCCS medical coverage and Cash Assistance through the Health-e-Arizona Plus portal, by mailed paper form, or at a DES Family Assistance office. Emergency food benefits can be decided within seven days; other applications within 30.
National lines that work in Arizona
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
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.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.