211 National Hotline: What is It?

What is 211?

The 211 national hotline provides information about and referrals to local human and social resources and services in the U.S. Its goal is to centralize and simplify the process of accessing social services, thereby helping to address the needs of individuals and communities.¹

By simply dialing 211—an easy-to-remember number assigned by the Federal Communications Commission—people can obtain referrals regarding everything from housing assistance, food pantries, and healthcare services to substance use programs, financial counseling, and Veterans crisis lines.^2-4 Available 24/7, the service is free to anyone, and calls are confidential and can be anonymous.¹

Offering assistance in English and 180 other languages, the 211 hotline fielded more than 18 million requests for help in 2022.^1,4,5 The hotline comprises more than 200 agencies scattered across the country; however, most are organized via county and regional areas within their respective states.¹ Thus, when you dial 211, you’re connected to information and resources specific to your geographic location.

What is 211 Used For?

So what type of information and referrals might you obtain through 211? Here’s a short list of the myriad options available:^2,5-13

• Addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs. Discover programs and services that address addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery for yourself and/or a loved one. Also explore various hotlines for drug and alcohol addiction, free rehabs, and state-funded programs.
• Support groups for people with mental health issues and/or special needs. Access information about support groups, counseling services, and resources. Also learn about various suicide and crisis hotlines, including those for Veterans, LGBTQ youth, and members of the transgender community.
• Supplemental food and nutrition programs. Discover resources for food assistance programs such as food pantries, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Also gain access to information about food programs for seniors, school-aged children, and pets.
• Shelter, housing, and utilities-assistance info. Find information about public housing, affordable housing, home-buying assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), weatherizing your home, rental assistance programs, and organizations that can provide help with utility bills.
• Pandemic information. Access up-to-date information about COVID-19 testing sites, vaccination centers, quarantine guidelines, and other pandemic-related resources.
• Emergency information and disaster relief. Receive guidance during and after emergencies, including access to local emergency services, disaster relief programs, and evacuation shelters. Also locate information about assistance available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• Healthcare and veterinary services. Explore info on health insurance, paying for prescriptions, low-cost medical care, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), veterinary care, and more.

The specific resources and services available may vary depending on your location. When you dial 211, however, the community resource specialist will provide you with relevant information and referrals based on your needs and the resources available in your area.

How Does 211 Work?

The 211 program operates primarily through county-based entities that collaborate with local social services agencies. When you dial 211, the system routes your call to the appropriate local 211 helpline based on your geographic location.¹⁴ As a result, the referrals and information you receive are specific to the area you are calling from. Then, the specialist directs you to a local organization to help find a solution that fits your needs.

Also note that some 211 agencies provide the ability to chat and text with community resource specialists. Often, doing so involves setting up the text and chat function on your mobile device—as opposed to just texting to 211. Information on this process can typically be found on your local 211 agency’s website.

What Happens When You Call 211?

When you call or text 211, you will typically communicate with a live specialist who is trained to assist you. The exact process varies slightly depending on the specific 211 agency you are connected to. However, you’ll typically provide some basic information about yourself and your areas of need.¹⁴ The resource specialist will then give you information and contact details for various groups or agencies that can further connect you to resources. From there, it’s up to you to follow up and reach out to the agencies provided.¹⁴

Where is 211 Available?

The 211 service is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This means that 309 million people, i.e., approximately 94.6% of the U.S. population, can access the 211 system.¹⁴ However, the availability and extent of coverage may vary by location. That is, there may be areas, such as remote locales, where 211 assistance is limited or not available and/or where resources and services aren’t as prevalent.

That said, the 211 helpline can connect you and those you love with a host of otherwise untapped resources. And since it offers myriad data in one location and via an easy-to-recall number, 211 is fast becoming the Google search equivalent for  social and human services information.