Skip to main content

Community Resources & Support Services

Access essential services, get help for your family, and connect with support programs in your community.

🍽️ Food Assistance​

Food Banks & Pantries​

What They Provide:

  • Free groceries for families in need
  • Fresh produce, meat, dairy, and canned goods
  • Special dietary accommodations (halal, kosher, gluten-free)
  • Pet food at some locations
  • Baby formula and diapers

How to Find:

  1. Browse Nonprofits & Churches on Open Navigator
  2. Filter by "food bank" or "food pantry"
  3. Enter your location
  4. Check hours and requirements
  5. Call ahead to confirm

What to Bring:

  • Photo ID
  • Proof of address (utility bill, lease)
  • Social Security cards for household (sometimes)
  • Varies by pantry - call ahead
No Judgment

Food banks serve working families, seniors, students, and anyone facing food insecurity. You don't need to explain your situation - help is available.

SNAP (Food Stamps)​

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program:

  • Monthly benefit on EBT card
  • Use at grocery stores like debit card
  • Based on household size and income
  • No citizenship required for US citizens and some immigrants

How to Apply:

  1. Visit your state SNAP website or local office
  2. Complete application online or in person
  3. Provide income and expense documentation
  4. Complete phone or in-person interview
  5. Receive decision within 30 days (7 days if expedited)

Eligibility:

  • Based on gross monthly income
  • Household size matters
  • Some resources limits apply
  • Work requirements for able-bodied adults

Find Help Applying:

  • Call 2-1-1 for local assistance
  • Community action agencies
  • Food banks often have SNAP navigators
  • Legal aid for denials/appeals

WIC (Women, Infants, Children)​

Free Nutrition Program:

  • Pregnant women
  • New mothers
  • Infants and children under age 5
  • Specific nutritious foods
  • Nutrition education
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Health screenings and referrals

Income Limits:

  • Higher than SNAP (up to 185% of poverty level)
  • Many working families qualify
  • No resource/asset limits
  • No citizenship requirement for children

How to Apply:

  • Find WIC clinic in your area
  • Call for appointment
  • Bring proof of identity, residence, income
  • Children's immunization records

School Meals​

Free & Reduced-Price Meals:

  • Breakfast and lunch during school year
  • Income-based eligibility
  • Apply through school district
  • Application covers all children in household

Summer Food Programs:

  • Free meals when school is out
  • No application required
  • Open sites at parks, libraries, schools
  • For all children 18 and under

Find Sites:

  • Text "FOOD" or "COMIDA" to 304-304
  • Visit USDA Summer Meals Site Finder
  • Call school district

🏠 Housing Assistance​

Emergency Shelter​

Immediate Housing:

  • Homeless shelters
  • Domestic violence shelters
  • Youth shelters
  • Family shelters
  • Winter warming shelters

Find Shelter:

  • Call 2-1-1 (available 24/7)
  • Contact local homeless coalition
  • Call police non-emergency for referral
  • Browse shelters on Open Navigator

What to Expect:

  • Intake process
  • Background checks (some shelters)
  • Rules and curfews
  • Case management
  • Help finding permanent housing

Rental Assistance​

Programs:

  • Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers: Pay portion based on income
  • Public Housing: Government-owned apartments
  • Emergency Rental Assistance: One-time help with rent/utilities
  • Rapid Rehousing: Short-term rent help to exit homelessness

How to Apply:

  • Contact local housing authority
  • Apply for Section 8 waiting list
  • Emergency assistance through nonprofits
  • State/county emergency programs

Eligibility:

  • Income limits (usually 50% of area median)
  • US citizenship or eligible immigration status
  • Background check
  • Landlord must accept (Section 8)

:::note[Long Wait Lists]\nSection 8 waiting lists can be years long. Apply as soon as possible and explore other options while waiting. :::\n\n### Eviction Prevention\n\nGet Help Before You're Evicted:\n- Emergency rent assistance\n- Legal aid for tenants\n- Mediation with landlord\n- Payment plans\n- Know your rights\n\nResources:\n- Legal aid societies\n- Tenant rights organizations\n- Emergency assistance programs\n- Court self-help centers\n- 2-1-1 referrals\n\n### First-Time Homebuyer Programs\n\nAssistance Available:\n- Down payment assistance grants\n- Low-interest mortgages\n- Closing cost help\n- Required homebuyer education\n- FHA loans (low down payment)\n\nFind Programs:\n- State housing finance agencies\n- Local housing authorities\n- Nonprofit housing counselors\n- Community development corporations\n- USDA rural housing programs\n\n## 🏥 Healthcare Services\n\n### Community Health Centers\n\nFederally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs):\n- Primary medical care\n- Dental services\n- Mental health counseling\n- Substance abuse treatment\n- Sliding fee scale (pay based on income)\n- Serve everyone regardless of insurance\n\nServices:\n- Well-child checkups\n- Immunizations\n- Chronic disease management\n- Preventive care\n- Lab tests and prescriptions\n- Referrals to specialists\n\nFind a Center:\n- Search findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov\n- Browse healthcare nonprofits on Open Navigator\n- Call 2-1-1\n- Ask at hospital social services\n\n### Free & Low-Cost Clinics\n\nCommunity Free Clinics:\n- No insurance required\n- Low or no cost\n- Volunteer doctors and nurses\n- Limited hours (evenings, weekends often)\n- Primary care, some dental\n\nMobile Health Units:\n- Come to your neighborhood\n- Immunizations\n- Health screenings\n- Basic medical care\n- Dental vans in some areas\n\n### Health Insurance Enrollment\n\nOptions:\n- Medicaid: Free/low-cost for low-income families\n- CHIP: Children's health insurance\n- Marketplace: ACA plans with subsidies\n- Employer insurance: Through your job\n- Medicare: Age 65+ or disabled\n\nGet Help Enrolling:\n- Healthcare.gov for marketplace\n- State Medicaid office\n- Navigators and assisters (free help)\n- Health centers often have enrollment help\n- Open enrollment: November-December\n\n### Dental Care\n\nLow-Cost Dental:\n- Community health center dental clinics\n- Dental schools (student clinics)\n- Free dental days (national events)\n- Donated Dental Services (DDS) for elderly, disabled, medically fragile\n- Mission of Mercy free clinics\n\nFor Children:\n- Medicaid/CHIP covers dental\n- School-based dental sealant programs\n- Head Start dental services\n\n### Mental Health & Substance Abuse\n\nMental Health Services:\n- Community mental health centers\n- Sliding scale therapy\n- Support groups (free)\n- Crisis hotlines (free)\n- Peer support programs\n\nCrisis Resources:\n- 988: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text)\n- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741\n- SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357\n- Emergency room for immediate danger\n- Mobile crisis teams in many areas\n\nSubstance Abuse Treatment:\n- Outpatient counseling\n- Residential treatment\n- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)\n- Support groups (AA, NA, etc. - free)\n- Harm reduction programs\n\n### Prescription Assistance\n\nGet Help With Medications:\n- 340B Program: Discounts at participating pharmacies\n- Patient Assistance Programs: Free drugs from manufacturers\n- GoodRx: Discount coupons\n- Walmart $4 Generics: Low-cost common medications\n- NeedyMeds: Database of assistance programs\n\n## 👶 Childcare & Early Education\n\n### Childcare Assistance\n\nChildcare Subsidies:\n- Help pay for childcare while working/in school\n- Based on income\n- Parent chooses licensed provider\n- Applied through state agency\n\nHead Start/Early Head Start:\n- Free comprehensive early childhood program\n- Ages 0-5 (Early Head Start 0-3)\n- Income-based eligibility\n- Education, health, nutrition, parent involvement\n- Full-day, full-year in many areas\n\nPre-K Programs:\n- Universal pre-K in some states/cities\n- School district programs\n- Free for 3- and 4-year-olds\n- Prepare children for kindergarten\n\n### After-School & Summer Programs\n\nAfter-School Care:\n- School-based programs\n- Boys & Girls Clubs\n- YMCA/YWCA\n- Community centers\n- Sliding scale fees common\n- Scholarships available\n\nSummer Camps:\n- Day camps (parks & rec)\n- Specialty camps (sports, arts, STEM)\n- Sleepaway camps\n- Many offer scholarships\n- Free summer learning programs\n\n## 💰 Financial Assistance\n\n### Emergency Financial Help\n\nWhen You Need Help:\n- Rent or mortgage payment\n- Utility shutoff prevention\n- Emergency car repair\n- Medical bills\n- Funeral expenses\n\nWhere to Get Help:\n- Salvation Army\n- St. Vincent de Paul\n- Catholic Charities\n- Local churches\n- United Way agencies\n- Emergency assistance programs (TANF)\n- Modest Needs (online applications)\n\nUtility Assistance:\n- LIHEAP: Low Income Home Energy Assistance\n- Utility company payment plans\n- Weatherization programs (free)\n- Budget billing\n\n### Cash Assistance (TANF)\n\nTemporary Assistance for Needy Families:\n- Monthly cash benefit\n- Time-limited (usually 60 months lifetime)\n- Work requirements\n- For families with children\n- Applied through state welfare office\n\n### Tax Credits\n\nEarned Income Tax Credit (EITC):\n- Refundable tax credit for working families\n- Can get money even if you owe no tax\n- Based on income and family size\n- Must file tax return to claim\n- Free tax help through VITA\n\nChild Tax Credit:\n- Up to $2,000 per child under 17\n- Partially refundable\n- Income limits apply\n\n## 🚗 Transportation\n\n### Public Transit Assistance\n\nReduced Fares:\n- Senior discounts (usually 65+)\n- Disability discounts\n- Student passes\n- Low-income fare programs\n- Free transfers\n\nParatransit:\n- Door-to-door service\n- For people with disabilities\n- ADA-required service\n- Advance reservation needed\n- Same fare as regular transit\n\n### Vehicle Assistance\n\nFree or Low-Cost Car Repair:\n- Modest Needs vehicle repair grants\n- Car Ministry programs (faith-based)\n- Vocational school programs (students do repairs)\n- Cars for Wheels to Work programs\n\nFree Cars:\n- Vehicles for Change\n- Working Cars for Working Families\n- 1-800-Charity Cars\n- Church and nonprofit car donation programs\n- Must be working and need car for employment\n\n## 👴 Senior Services\n\n### Area Agencies on Aging\n\nServices for Seniors (60+):\n- Meals (congregate and home-delivered)\n- Transportation\n- Adult day care\n- Homemaker services\n- Legal assistance\n- Health insurance counseling (SHIP)\n- Ombudsman (nursing home advocacy)\n\nFind Your Local Agency:\n- Call Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116\n- Visit eldercare.acl.gov\n- Browse senior services on Open Navigator\n\n### Medicare & Benefits\n\nMedicare Parts:\n- Part A: Hospital (usually free)\n- Part B: Medical (monthly premium)\n- Part D: Prescriptions\n- Medicare Advantage (Part C): Alternative to Original Medicare\n\nGet Help:\n- SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): Free counseling\n- Medicare.gov\n- 1-800-MEDICARE\n- Social Security office\n\nExtra Help:\n- Medicare Savings Programs: Help pay premiums\n- Extra Help with Part D: Prescription assistance\n- Medicaid for dual eligibles\n\n## 🎖️ Veterans Services\n\n### VA Benefits\n\nHealthcare:\n- VA medical centers and clinics\n- Priority groups based on service connection\n- Mental health services\n- Substance abuse treatment\n\nDisability Compensation:\n- Monthly payment for service-connected disabilities\n- Apply at va.gov or with VSO help\n\nOther Benefits:\n- Education (GI Bill)\n- Home loans\n- Vocational rehabilitation\n- Life insurance\n- Burial benefits\n\n### Veterans Service Organizations\n\nGet Free Help:\n- VFW, American Legion, DAV service officers\n- Help with claims and appeals\n- No cost\n- Accredited representatives\n\n## 📞 Get Help Finding Services\n\n### Call 2-1-1\n\nFree Referral Service:\n- Available 24/7 in most areas\n- Dial 2-1-1 from any phone\n- Multilingual\n- Connects you to local resources\n- Can also text your ZIP code to 898211\n\nWhen to Call:\n- Need help but don't know where to start\n- Looking for specific services\n- Emergency assistance\n- General questions about community resources\n\n### Use Open Navigator\n\nFind Services:\n1. Browse Nonprofits & Churches\n2. Filter by service type or keyword\n3. Enter your location\n4. View organization details:\n - Services provided\n - Contact information\n - Hours of operation\n - Eligibility requirements\n - Financial information\n\nTrack Impact:\n- See which organizations serve your area\n- Review annual reports and financials\n- Understand program scope\n- Find alternative providers\n\n---\n\n## Next Steps\n\nExplore more resources for families:\n\n- 🎈 Community Events - Find activities and meetings\n- 🎓 Training & Education - Learn new skills\n- 🗳️ Voter Registration - Engage civically\n- 💬 Service Requests - Request help from government\n\nGet help now:\n- Call 2-1-1: Free referrals to local services\n- Find Nonprofits: Search for specific services\n- Emergency Resources: Find immediate help\n- Set Up Profile: Personalize your experience\n