Help in Kentucky
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 21 places in Kentucky, most of them in Louisville, Lexington and Covington, plus 9 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (13) and after prison or jail (12).
The Healing Place
Louisville recovery program that houses more than 600 men and women at no cost, moving them through non-medical detox, a motivational track, 12-Step recovery and optional transitional living. The only requirement is a desire to get sober; campuses are open every hour of every day.
Metro United Way 2-1-1
Free, confidential information and referral line for Louisville and surrounding Kentucky counties. Operators look up food, shelter, utility help, treatment and other local services and connect callers in more than 100 languages.
Division of Reentry Services
State office that builds individualized reentry plans starting on the first day of incarceration or supervision. Its 13 Reentry Employment Coordinators cover most Kentucky counties and help with job applications, referrals to hiring employers, and work clothing or tools; a Probation and Parole officer makes the referral and the coordinator meets you at the local P&P office.
DCBS Family Support — SNAP, Medicaid and KTAP
Kentucky's public benefits office for SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, KTAP cash assistance and the Kentucky Works program. Apply online through the kynect benefits portal, by phone, or in person at the DCBS office in any of the 120 counties; documents can be uploaded to kynect or mailed to Frankfort.
Office of Vital Statistics
Issues certified Kentucky birth certificates, which most people need before they can get a state ID. Order online through VitalChek (the only authorized vendor, with next-day and in-person pickup options), by mail, or in person at the Frankfort office or its drop box; a photo ID is required to pick up an online order.
Driver Licensing Regional Offices (State ID and REAL ID)
All Kentucky driver licenses and ID cards are issued at state-run Driver Licensing Regional Offices, not county clerks. New or REAL ID credentials must be done in person by appointment; standard renewals and replacements can be done by mail. Use the DLRO map on drive.ky.gov to find the nearest office.
Coalition for the Homeless — Coordinated Shelter Access
Louisville's coordinating body for homeless services runs Coordinated Shelter Access, a weekday window for people who need an emergency shelter bed, and publishes the free Louisville Street Tips booklet for anyone who needs shelter or services right away.
Wayside Christian Mission
Downtown Louisville shelter providing beds, meals and support services for men, women, and families with children, with additional space at its Hotel Louisville building on West Broadway. Call the main line to ask about getting a bed.
Hope Center Emergency Shelter
Lexington's largest shelter campus offers food, clothing, medical care and beds for people experiencing homelessness, plus street and mobile outreach for those who have not yet come in. The same organization runs substance use recovery programs, transitional housing, mental health and employment services.
Legal Aid Society
Free civil legal help for low-income people in the Louisville area whose health, safety or stability is threatened, with dedicated hotlines for custody and visitation and for veterans, plus free walk-in clinics and tax help. Apply online or by phone.
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
Free civil legal services for people at or near poverty in 33 counties including Fayette, Kenton, Boone and Campbell, from offices in Lexington, Covington, Morehead and Ashland. Handles protective orders, expungement to remove barriers to work and housing, evictions, SSI, SNAP and Medicaid appeals, and U-Visa and T-Visa immigration cases.
People Advocating Recovery
Kentucky's grassroots recovery advocacy organization keeps a searchable directory of 32 peer-run recovery community centers in 28 counties where anyone can walk in, and mails free naloxone refills. The Louisville address is PAR's office, not a center; use the directory to find the one nearest you.
National lines that work in Kentucky
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.