Help in Connecticut
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 20 places in Connecticut, most of them in Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven, plus 11 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (10) and after prison or jail (9).
2-1-1 Connecticut
Connecticut's information and referral line for food, housing, utility help, mental health, substance use, and crisis intervention. It is also the front door for shelter referrals statewide; dial 2-1-1 from any phone.
Bridgeport Rescue Mission
Faith-based mission on Park Avenue offering emergency safe housing for men and for women with children, residential addiction recovery, hot meals several days a week, a food pantry, and a free health clinic. Separate phone lines handle men's and women's housing.
Columbus House
New Haven's largest homeless services agency, running emergency shelter, street outreach, housing programs, and employment help for individuals, families, and veterans across New Haven, Middlesex, Hartford, and New London counties. For a bed tonight, Columbus House directs people to call 2-1-1.
Hands On Hartford
Community agency in Hartford's Parkville neighborhood with a no-cost community pantry, the Gather55 daytime cafe, homeless outreach, supportive housing, and eviction prevention. Navigators help people sort out benefits and other needs.
IRIS – Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services
New Haven resettlement agency that helps refugees, humanitarian parolees, and asylum seekers find housing, enroll kids in school, learn English, get jobs, reach medical care, and adjust immigration status. A dedicated client help line is the starting point.
Refugee Assistance Program
State office that administers federal refugee resettlement funds in Connecticut. Refugees can receive Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance for up to twelve months after arrival, and contracted agencies provide case management and employment help.
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut
Free civil legal aid hotline for very low-income Connecticut residents with family, public benefits, housing, and unemployment problems. Criminal and immigration cases are not handled. People facing eviction or loss of a housing subsidy have a separate line.
State Vital Records Office
Issues certified copies of Connecticut birth, death, and marriage certificates from the Capitol Avenue office in Hartford. Where you order a birth certificate depends on your birth year and town, so check the site first; walk-in and phone hours differ by day.
Non-Driver ID Card
State photo ID for people who do not drive. The card costs $28 and is free for anyone who is unhoused or living in a shelter, with proof of residency from the shelter or a signed certification on Form B-230. New cards are issued only by appointment at a DMV office and arrive by mail within 20 business days.
ConneCT – Apply for SNAP and Other Benefits
Connecticut's online portal for SNAP food benefits, HUSKY Medicaid, and cash assistance. Applications can also be mailed or filed in person at a DSS office. Decisions take up to 30 days, or 7 days for households with very little income or cash on hand.
National lines that work in Connecticut
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.