Find Housing, Food, and Support—Learn how 211 Helps Californians
211 is a free and confidential information and referral service serving people of all income levels, languages, and cultural backgrounds. 211 offers access to live, trained specialists, via phone or web, to connect people to services in their community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In California and across the U.S., millions of families rely on 211 for help finding community services such as rent and mortgage assistance, food and shelter, health care, job training, transportation, child care, senior care, and more.
211 also plays a critical role during statewide emergencies and disasters, providing up-to-date information on evacuations, shelter, food, medical care, and disaster recovery in California. It also gives public officials real-time feedback from callers about evolving community needs.
This essential service is provided by local nonprofits, with financial support from public and private funders, city and county agencies, businesses, and individual donors. United Ways of California and our California United Way members are proud to support 211, operating and/or providing major funding for 211 programs in 28 counties across California.
Need help now? Call 211 or search online to connect to local support services.
Our Impact
211 is America’s most powerful tool for identifying and responding to community needs.
Across the U.S., 2,500 professional community resource specialists responded to more than 15 million calls for help and over 45 million web queries in 2023. That’s 42,000 calls, texts, emails, and web chats per day.
Find Your Local 211
211 Across California
Explore our interactive map to find your local 211.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorizes one local agency per county to operate 211 services. Use this map to identify the 211 agency serving your area and access local support.
Need immediate help? Call 211 anytime.
- Active 211 Service
- No Active Service
- Disaster/Special Projects Service Only
Frequently Asked Questions
211 is a free, confidential service that connects people to local resources like housing, food, health care, job training, child care, and senior services. Available 24/7 by phone, text, and web, trained specialists assess needs and provide referrals to essential services, many of which have no income requirements. In California, 211 is operated by local providers, ensuring community-specific support while working together for statewide coverage. It also plays a key role in disaster response, providing real-time information and emergency assistance.
You can contact 211 by dialing 211 on your phone, texting your zip code to 898211 (where available), or visiting your local 211 website. Trained specialists are available 24/7 to provide free and confidential assistance. If you need to reach the 211 service for your home county while outside the area, call 866-346-3211 to be connected. For calls, 211 also offers support in over 200 languages through Language Line.
When you contact 211, a trained specialist will ask a few questions to understand your situation and determine eligibility for programs and services. These may include questions about your living situation, age, gender, and income level. They will listen with care, connect you with available community resources, and help address any underlying needs—not just the one that prompted your call, text, or email.
Yes, contacting 211 is secure and confidential. When you call, text, or chat with 211, your information is kept private and is only shared if necessary to connect you with services (and only with your consent).
Key Points About 211’s Confidentiality:
- Private & Secure – Calls, texts, and online chats are handled by trained specialists who follow strict privacy guidelines.
- No Personal Info Required – You can ask for help without sharing personal details unless necessary for referrals.
- Not Shared Without Consent – Your information isn’t given to agencies unless you agree.
- Crisis & Safety Exceptions – If you’re in immediate danger or report abuse, 211 may need to notify emergency services (following mandated reporting laws).
- If you have specific concerns about privacy, you can ask the 211 specialist how they handle your information before sharing anything.
211 does not directly provide hotel or motel vouchers, but it can connect you to local programs that may offer them, depending on funding and availability.
211 does not directly provide financial assistance, but it connects people with local organizations and programs that offer help. Depending on your location and situation, 211 can refer you to resources for:
- Rental and utility assistance
- Food programs
- Emergency shelter
- Medical and prescription assistance
- Job training and employment support
- Disaster relief resources
When you call 211, a trained specialist will provide information and referrals to local emergency services, including emergency shelters, emergency food and water distribution sites, and crisis hotlines. However, 211 is not an emergency response service. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
211 provides referrals to various housing and rental assistance programs in California, including:
- Emergency shelter for individuals and families in crisis
- Rental assistance programs to help with past-due rent or deposits
- Affordable housing resources and low-income housing options
- Eviction prevention services and tenant rights support
- Utility assistance to help prevent shut-offs
- Transitional and permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness
Call 211 or visit 211CA.org to find local food banks, pantries, and basic needs assistance. 211 can connect you to:
- Food banks and pantries providing free groceries
- Meal programs for seniors, children, and other individuals in need
- CalFresh (SNAP) application assistance for food benefits
- Utility and financial assistance for essential needs
A trained specialist will help you find available services in your area.
