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).
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.
Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program
State program for refugees, asylees, SIV holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants and certified trafficking victims: cash and medical assistance for new arrivals, English classes, case management and employment help for up to five years after arrival. Services run through local agencies such as IRC, Lutheran Social Services and Catholic Charities in Phoenix and Tucson.
Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)
Arizona's largest emergency shelter for single adults, open around the clock on the 12th Avenue campus in Phoenix, with a separate family shelter and a shelter for adults 55 and older. Adults 18+ walk in, complete campus intake, then ask to be directed to CASS; families call 211 for the Family Housing Hub.
Brian Garcia Welcome Center
Front door of the Key Campus in downtown Phoenix where single adults who are homeless or about to be get an assessment and a plan, then connect to shelter, housing and on-site partners. Visit between 7am and 11pm or call ahead.
Primavera Foundation
Tucson nonprofit running a men's shelter, Casa Paloma women's shelter, a family shelter program, rapid rehousing, rent and utility help and the Primavera Works day-labor program. Start at the drop-in Resource Center on South 6th Avenue during morning hours or call the Resource Center line.
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.
Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI)
Statewide substance use and mental health provider with a 24/7 access-to-care and crisis line, crisis stabilization, residential and inpatient treatment, an opioid treatment program, supportive housing, shelters and outreach. Call the 24/7 line to be routed to care or schedule online.
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.