Help in West Virginia
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 20 places in West Virginia, most of them in Charleston, Huntington and Dunbar, plus 12 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people after prison or jail (10) and after treatment and in recovery (10).
West Virginia 211
Free information and referral line covering food, shelter, utility help, health care, and disaster needs anywhere in West Virginia. Dial 2-1-1, call the toll-free number if your phone uses Wi-Fi calling, or text your ZIP code.
Legal Aid of West Virginia
Free civil legal help for low-income West Virginians, including housing, benefits, family safety, debt, expungement-related substance use disorder cases, and kinship care. Apply online or by calling the statewide helpline during intake hours.
YWCA Sojourner's Shelter for Homeless Women and Families
Emergency shelter in downtown Charleston for single women, families, and fathers with children, with a 24/7 cafeteria serving free meals, case management, counseling, and a job-readiness center open to any homeless adult. The shelter never closes; call the shelter line to ask about a bed.
Huntington City Mission
Full-service Christian shelter serving about 143 people a night in Huntington, with separate men's, single-women's, and family dorms, more than 2,000 hot meals a week, and a food pantry. Admission goes through a mandatory intake; the Mission has a zero-tolerance substance policy and all medications must be declared at admission.
Harmony House
Huntington's coordinated-entry point for homeless services, with housing assistance, the First Steps Wellness and Recovery Center, and permanent supportive apartments (Vanity Fair, Nelson, and Heistad House). Walk in or call during weekday hours to be assessed for housing.
Refugee Resettlement & Immigration Services
West Virginia's refugee resettlement program, serving refugees, asylees, SIV holders, trafficking victims, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and humanitarian parolees with housing placement, benefits referrals, ID documents, ESOL enrollment, and job preparation, plus low-cost immigration legal filings for residents statewide. Call or email the program contact to get started.
West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles – Driver's Licenses and ID Cards
Issues standard and REAL ID state identification cards and driver's licenses. Bring proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of WV residency to a regional office, or begin online; the office gives a 60-day temporary card and mails the permanent one.
WV PATH – SNAP, Medicaid, and Assistance Applications
Online portal for applying for SNAP food benefits, Medicaid, WVCHIP, LIEAP energy assistance, and the school clothing allowance; a paper SNAP application is also available in English and Spanish. The Customer Service Center answers application questions by phone.
West Virginia Vital Registration Office
State office that issues certified copies of West Virginia birth, death, and marriage certificates for a fee, by mail, online request, or at a walk-up counter in the Capitol Street lobby. Order through the certificate request page or visit during weekday hours.
National lines that work in West Virginia
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.