Help in Nevada
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 23 places in Nevada, most of them in Las Vegas, Reno and North Las Vegas, plus 10 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (14) and after prison or jail (11).
Nevada 211
Nevada's statewide referral line for housing and shelter, food, utilities, health and mental health care, legal help, domestic violence and addiction services. Dial 2-1-1, call the toll-free number, text your ZIP code, or use the online chat and database.
Independent Living Program
Chafee-funded transition services for Nevada foster youth: life skills, money management, housing assistance, counseling, medical coverage, GED and college help, Education and Training Vouchers, and state Financial Assistance to Former Foster Youth. Services are delivered through Clark County, Washoe County and rural providers listed on the contact page.
Eddy House
Northern Nevada's only dedicated provider for homeless and at-risk young adults 18 to 24, with a 24/7 emergency shelter and drop-in resource center on Willow Street in Reno offering meals, showers, hygiene supplies, health care, therapy and job and life skills. Walk in any time or call ahead for directions by bus.
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth
Las Vegas agency for youth without stable housing, running an Independent Living Program alongside housing, life-skills instruction and education and employment help. A crisis hotline answers 24 hours a day; the office on Shirley Street is open weekdays.
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
Free civil legal help for low-income residents of Clark County, including tenant and eviction defense, debt and bankruptcy, protective orders and family law, immigration, veterans and children's attorneys, plus Ask-A-Lawyer sessions, free classes and Self-Help Centers. Call the main line or start with the Do I Qualify page.
Office of Vital Records
Issues certified Nevada birth certificates for $25 in person at the Carson City office or $45 online through VitalChek; Clark County residents can go to the Southern Nevada Health District and Washoe County residents to Northern Nevada Public Health. You must show ID and prove a direct interest in the record.
Nevada Identification Cards
State ID cards cost $21.50 ($11.50 at 65 and older) and require one proof of identity, proof of any name changes, one proof of Social Security number and two proofs of Nevada address. An NDOC identification card is accepted as proof of identity for a standard card, and shelters can certify residency with form DMV 115.
Access Nevada
The state portal for applying for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, energy assistance and child care help in one place, run by the Division of Social Services (formerly Welfare and Supportive Services). Apply online, report changes, or call the Carson City administrative office for direction to a local district office.
National lines that work in Nevada
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.