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211 Explained
Most people know that 911 is the number you call when you have an emergency and need the police. But what many don’t know is that 211 is a number you can call when you need financial assistance and can barely stay afloat.
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In 2000, the FCC designated 211 as a way for people to call so they could get information on social services and assistance in their area. The number has now grown so much in popularity that it is run by over 200 agencies across the United States, including local crisis centers, Goodwill, the United Way, Community Action Partnerships, and more.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of 211 is that it is discreet. Many may feel embarrassed about reaching out for help in a face-to-face setting, but with 211, that is not an issue. You can contact this service by dialing 211 on your phone, or you can send a text or use its website for web chat to get the help you need. And if you feel bad or guilty about contacting such a service, you shouldn’t, as the following statistics from 2020 show that you’re not alone:
- 211 connected with over 27.8 million people via phone, text, email, and web chat.
- 6.1 million used 211 for information on housing assistance programs and homeless shelters.
- 3.7 million contacted 211 to find food banks and meal programs in their area.
- 3.4 million who needed help with substance abuse, mental health, and prescriptions relied on 211 for assistance.
- 600,000-plus people used 211 for disaster assistance so they could find food, shelter, etc.
- 32 states designated 211 as their top resource for COVID-19 assistance.
Reasons To Use 211
Although the number is easy to remember, you may want to save it as a contact in your phone, as calling or texting 211 could come in handy in many ways:
1. Get housing assistance – Do you fear that you’re about to be homeless because you are way behind on your rent or mortgage payments? Are you homeless already? Regardless of your status, 211 can connect you with the right housing assistance program to help.
2. Find emergency food assistance – You could apply for food stamps to buy groceries, but if you need to meet your family’s nutritional needs right now, you will require something quicker. 211 can connect you with emergency programs like food pantries or similar services that offer hot meals.
3. Get help with healthcare – Whether you have emergency medical bills you can’t pay, need to buy prescriptions you can’t afford, or have trouble with transportation to your doctors’ appointments, a 211 operator can fill your needs.
4. Assistance with your bills – If your bills are piling up and you cannot pay your rent, utilities, credit card bills, etc., a 211 operator will let you know what your best move is.
5. Student loan help – Are you having trouble paying back your student loans? This is another reason why many call 211, so they can find the fastest solution without having to research it on their own.
