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).
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.
Probation and Parole – Billings Region Office
Community supervision office for people released to probation, parole, or conditional release in the Billings and Miles City area. Officers coordinate release conditions and connect clients with contracted community providers for housing, employment, treatment, and mental health.
Probation and Parole – Missoula Region Office
Regional supervision office covering Missoula, Anaconda, Butte, and Hamilton. People finishing a Montana sentence report here for probation and parole supervision and referrals to the Department's partner agencies for chemical dependency, housing, and employment help.
Probation and Parole – Great Falls Region Office
Supervision office for the Great Falls, Cut Bank, Lewistown, and Shelby area. Handles check-ins for people on parole or probation and links them to reentry supports the Department contracts for in north-central Montana.
Montana Rescue Mission
Billings shelter open at all hours for men, women, and children facing hunger or homelessness, with hot meals, a mental health center, a Life Change recovery program, and longer-term Mission Academy, apartments, and after-care.
The Poverello Center
Missoula's main emergency shelter, serving three meals a day year-round along with veteran services, medical respite, and a Homeless Outreach Team that meets people where they are. Serves all who ask.
Great Falls Rescue Mission
North-central Montana's shelter campus with separate men's and women's shelters, the Cameron Family Center for parents with children, daily meals, medical clinics, a recovery program, and youth outreach. Downtown Great Falls, all within a block.
HRDC District 7 Community Action Agency
Billings community action agency for Yellowstone, Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, and Sweet Grass counties offering emergency services, housing help and Section 8 vouchers outside the city, energy assistance, food, employment training, and youth programs.
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.