Help in Minnesota
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 22 places in Minnesota, most of them in Duluth, St. Paul and Minneapolis, plus 12 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (11) and leaving an abuser (11).
Justice North
Legal aid for northern Minnesota, formed from the merger of Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota and Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, covering Duluth and St. Louis County. Handles civil matters for low-income and vulnerable residents; apply online or through the statewide intake line.
United Way 211 Minnesota
Free, confidential referral line staffed by Community Resource Specialists who point Minnesotans to shelter, food, benefits, and health programs. Dial 211, call the toll-free number, or text your ZIP code.
Refugee and Immigrant Helpline
First call for refugees, asylees, SIV holders, certified trafficking victims, and humanitarian parolees settling in Minnesota. The helpline sorts out which employment, health, cash, and immigration legal services a person's status allows and refers them to a local provider.
MNbenefits
Online application for SNAP food assistance, cash assistance, child care assistance, emergency assistance, and Emergency General Assistance for adults without children. One form covers multiple programs and routes to your county or tribal agency.
Office of Vital Records
Issues certified Minnesota birth certificates by mail or fax; MDH itself has no walk-in counter. For same-day service, go to any county vital records office with photo ID. Mail requests need a notarized signature, or a witness can complete the Statement to Identify form if you lack ID.
Minnesota ID Card
State ID cards are issued at DVS exam stations and deputy registrar offices. Bring documents proving full name and date of birth; if you cannot, you may request a variance. Reduced-cost or free cards exist for youth experiencing homelessness.
Higher Ground Minneapolis Shelter
Emergency shelter for single men in downtown Minneapolis. Free beds are reserved through the Hennepin Shelter Hotline; Pay-for-Stay beds at $7 a night are available around the clock.
Simpson Community Shelter
A 66-bed, 24-hour shelter in south Minneapolis for men, women, and non-binary adults, temporarily operating at 128 W 33rd St while a new building goes up. Beds are assigned through Adult Shelter Connect, not by walking in.
Bethel Hotel Men's Emergency Shelter
Emergency shelter for men in St. Paul with a bed, a meal, a hot shower, and clean clothes. Intake runs 24 hours a day; call or email ahead. A separate Naomi Family Program serves women and mothers with children at 651-444-5880.
Chum Center Emergency Shelter
Dormitory-style shelter for single adults in downtown Duluth with no sobriety requirement, plus a family shelter for up to six families. Arrive at the Chum Center between 9am and 4pm; guests meet regularly with a Housing Advocate. Chum also runs a food shelf.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Free civil legal help for low-income people in 20 central Minnesota counties including Hennepin, seniors 60+ in 26 counties, and people with disabilities statewide. Cases include housing, public benefits, family, consumer, and immigration. Apply by phone or online intake.
National lines that work in Minnesota
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.