(844) 572-3682
Free referral service · Mon–Fri 9am–6pm CT

Find the help that fits.

Call us. Tell a team member your situation. We'll point you to the federal programs, state agencies, local food banks, and verified hotlines that may help — so you can apply directly. The call is free. We do not pay bills or submit applications for you.

Call — free(844) 572-3682

Mon–Fri 9am–6pm CT · Sat & Sun closed

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Free to call Real person answers Verified referrals We never sell your info
Person on a phone call at a desk
Real person answersMon–Fri business hours
We point, you applyDirectly with the program

Just need a food bank near you?

Pick your state to see a verified directory — no call needed.

Rental helpSNAP & food banksLIHEAP utilityACA marketplaceMedicaidFAFSA & PellWICSection 8CHIP for kidsFree legal aidJob trainingDebt counselingRental helpSNAP & food banksLIHEAP utilityACA marketplaceMedicaidFAFSA & PellWICSection 8CHIP for kidsFree legal aidJob trainingDebt counseling
How It Works

One call. Real referrals. No runaround.

We're a free information and referral service. Tell us your situation and we'll point you to the federal programs, local food banks, and hotlines that may help — so you can apply directly.

01

Call us — or submit a form

Call (844) 572-3682 during business hours and a real team member picks up. If we're closed, fill out our short form and we'll follow up the next business day.

Free to call
02

Tell us your situation

A team member listens, asks a few basic questions about what's urgent and where you live, and figures out which programs and hotlines fit your needs.

Real conversation
03

We tell you where to go or call

You get the federal programs, state agencies, local food banks, and verified hotlines that match your situation — plus the questions to ask. You apply directly with each program. We never submit forms for you.

You apply directly
(844) 572-3682
See the full process
Help Topics

Six topics. One phone call.

Whatever the situation, a team members know which federal programs, state agencies, and local nonprofits fit. We point. We don't pay bills.

Most Requested

Rent & Housing

We refer to federal rental programs (Section 8, Public Housing), state emergency rental funds, and HUD-approved housing counselors.

Find rental help options
High Demand

Utilities & Internet

We refer to LIHEAP (federal energy assistance), Lifeline (free phone/internet), and Weatherization programs.

See utility programs
Today

Food & Groceries

We refer to SNAP/EBT, WIC, local food banks (51-state directory), school meal programs, and Meals on Wheels.

Find food resources
Coverage

Healthcare & Insurance

We refer to ACA Marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP for kids, and prescription assistance programs.

See healthcare programs
Long-term

Financial Help

We refer to nonprofit credit counseling, unemployment offices, IRS hardship programs, and free legal aid networks.

See financial resources
Future

Education & Career

We refer to FAFSA, Pell Grants, FSEOG, state workforce boards, and free job training (WIOA) programs.

Explore education aid
All 50 States + DC

We've mapped food banks in every state.

Click any state to see a verified directory of Feeding America-network food banks with real addresses and phone numbers.

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaN. HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkN. CarolinaN. DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandS. CarolinaS. DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonW. VirginiaWisconsinWyomingD.C.

See all food banks →

Real Phone Numbers, Real Help

Need help tonight?

These free, verified federal and 501(c)(3) hotlines connect you with food, housing, energy, and crisis support — answered by real humans, not bots.

crisis24/7

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Free, confidential support for anyone in mental health crisis or emotional distress. Call, text, or chat 988.

988Official site
general24/7 in most areas

211 — Local Help, Any Need

United Way nationwide help line. Connects you with local food, housing, utility, healthcare, employment, and crisis services in your community.

2-1-1Official site
utilityMon–Fri, 9am–7pm ET

LIHEAP / NEAR Energy Assistance

National Energy Assistance Referral hotline — connects you to your state LIHEAP office for help with heating, cooling, and weatherization bills.

1-866-674-6327Official site
housingBusiness hours, Mon–Fri

HUD Housing Counseling

Find a HUD-approved housing counselor for help with renting, buying a home, foreclosure, or reverse mortgages — free or low-cost in your area.

1-800-569-4287Official site
healthcare24/7

Healthcare.gov Marketplace

Help enrolling in ACA health insurance, finding subsidies, and navigating the federal marketplace. TTY: 1-855-889-4325.

1-800-318-2596Official site
educationMon–Fri business hours

American Job Center / CareerOneStop

Free help finding jobs, training programs, career resources, and unemployment benefits info from the U.S. Department of Labor. Call 1-877-US2-JOBS.

1-877-872-5627Official site

Note: These are official government and 501(c)(3) hotlines we share as a public service. Ask Helping Hand is not affiliated with these organizations.

Common Questions

Things people ask first.

Yes, calling (844) 572-3682 is completely free. There is no fee to talk to us, no fee to request a callback, and no upsells on the call. We're a privately held company, funded by its members — but we don't charge callers. We make our money elsewhere, not from you.

Ready When You Are

Pick up the phone. We'll pick up too.

A real team member on the line. We point you to the federal programs, local food banks, and hotlines that may fit your situation — free. You apply directly with each program.

Call now — free(844) 572-3682

Mon–Fri 9am–6pm CT · Sat & Sun closed

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