Help in Montana
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 21 places in Montana, most of them in Billings, Missoula and Great Falls, plus 8 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (12) and after prison or jail (11).
YWCA Missoula
Provides safety, shelter, and support for domestic violence survivors and unhoused families in Missoula. A 24-hour crisis line is the first point of contact.
YWCA Billings
Emergency shelter (Gateway Horizons), case management, legal advocacy, hospital accompaniment, and rapid re-housing for people leaving domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking in the Billings area. Also home to the Northern Lights Family Justice Center.
Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Statewide coalition that does not run a shelter itself but connects survivors of domestic or sexual violence to the local program that serves their area of Montana. Call the office or toll-free line and staff will point you to the nearest advocate.
Montana 2-1-1
Free information and referral line covering all of Montana. Dial 2-1-1 any time to reach a resource specialist who can locate food, shelter, utility help, health care, and other local services.
Mercy Home Shelter Program
Confidential domestic violence shelter and advocacy program in Great Falls. Advocates answer a 24-hour crisis line and provide safety planning, support, and counseling for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Montana Legal Services Association
Free civil legal help for low-income Montanans on housing, family, benefits, and consumer matters, plus self-help forms at MontanaLawHelp.org. Apply online any time or by phone on the HelpLine's limited hours.
Montana Office of Vital Records
Issues certified Montana birth and death certificates and handles corrections and name changes. The office is closed to walk-ins; orders go through the mail, VitalChek, or VitalRecordsOnline, and name-change or correction appointments are made by phone.
Montana Public Assistance Helpline
Single statewide number to apply for or manage SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and other public assistance in Montana. Field Offices of Public Assistance in Billings, Great Falls, Missoula, and other cities handle in-person needs.
National lines that work in Montana
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.