Help in Indiana
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 26 places in Indiana, most of them in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Evansville, plus 13 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people after prison or jail (14) and leaving homelessness (14).
Indiana 211
Free statewide referral line run by FSSA that points Hoosiers to shelter, food, utility help, treatment, and peer recovery support. Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to be matched with resources near you.
Wheeler Mission Shelter for Men
Downtown Indianapolis emergency shelter with meals for men. No appointment is needed; check in by 9:30 p.m. at the guest entrance on Wabash St. behind the building, with exceptions made for first-time guests arriving later.
Wheeler Mission Center for Women & Children
East-side Indianapolis shelter providing beds and meals for single women and women with children. Beds are assigned over the phone as space opens, so call before coming.
project.ME
Fort Wayne recovery support organization staffed by certified peers who have lived through addiction and justice involvement. Coaches help with harm reduction supplies, treatment options, support groups, health coverage, SNAP, and replacing identification documents; a drop-in center and street outreach are part of the work. It is the state-designated Regional Recovery Hub for Allen and surrounding counties.
Indiana Division of Vital Records
Issues certified Indiana birth certificates by mail, phone, or online; there is no state walk-in counter, so the fastest route is the local health department in the county where you were born. A birth certificate costs $10 and requires photo ID or two secondary documents such as a DOC ID card and Social Security card.
Indiana BMV Identification Card
State photo ID for Indiana residents who do not hold a driver's license. The fee is $9, and it is waived for U.S. citizens 18 or older who are eligible to vote. Bring proof of identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and two proofs of Indiana residency to any branch.
FSSA Benefits Portal (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF)
Indiana's single online application for SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF cash assistance, run by the Division of Family Resources. Apply at the portal or at a local DFR office; the benefits information line answers questions about existing cases.
We Bloom Recovery Café
Membership-based recovery community space in downtown Indianapolis where people recovering from addiction, mental health challenges, or homelessness share meals, recovery circles, and peer connection. Join by attending a Coffee Hour or through the Become a Member page.
THRIVE Recovery Community Organization
Peer-run recovery community organization with offices in New Albany, Jeffersonville, and Indianapolis offering free peer recovery coaching, jail and reentry support, Narcan access, street outreach, and rides to appointments. It serves as the state Regional Recovery Hub for a 17-county region that includes Marion County.
Evansville Rescue Mission
Residence Center shelter in downtown Evansville with daily showers, laundry, belongings storage, case management, and P.A.C.E.S. recovery programming for guests, plus a Centennial Center day shelter. Three free meals a day are open to anyone in the public.
The Rescue Mission – Fort Wayne
Faith-based shelter network in Fort Wayne providing emergency, short-term, and long-term housing for men in a homeless crisis, and housing for women and children through Charis House at 5920 Decatur Road (260-426-8123). Free public meals are served at 7 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. every day.
National lines that work in Indiana
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.