50 Crisis Resources

Here are some resources to check out if you find yourself in a crisis situation (homeless, jobless, flat broke, suicidal, etc):

1. 211.  Call this number if you need social service assistance (food, housing, medical assistance, utility assistance, etc).
2. Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, this is a great resource to call.
3. Medicaid/CHIP.  For low and no income people (both adults and kids) this federal/state program can provide free or low cost health insurance.
4. SNAP.  This is another federal/state program that provides food assistance (previously called food stamps) for low and no-income people.
5. Free cell phone/cell service.  Many companies offer free cell phones/cell service for low income folks.
6. Library.  Check out your local library for everything from free books and movies to free classes (like computer and ESL classes) and free community events.
7. Free or reduced transit passes.  Many city bus/transit systems offer free or reduced fare passes for low and no income folks.
8. Food banks.  Many communities have food pantries to provide free food to those in need.
9. There are several organizations that provide assistance to veterans in need.  Check here, here, and here.
10. School meal program.  This is a federal program that provides free or reduced-cost meals to children at school. 
11. Summer food service program.  This is similar to the school meal program but it ensures children get a healthy meal even when school is out for the summer.
12. Free clinics.  A resource to find free and sliding-scale clinics in your area.
13. HIV/STD/Hepatitis testing.  This site will direct you to free STD resources in your community.
14. Job Corps.  An education/jobs training program for young adults.
15. Community college.  Contact your local community college for free GED classes as well as other community-based classes like job training, women in transition, and other classes to help those in need.
16. University dental schools.  If your local university has a dental school, this is where you can find very low cost dental services.
17. RAINN.  Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network can connect you to crisis services in your area.
18. NAMI Helpline.  The National Alliance on Mental Health helpline can help those with a mental health crisis.
19. Veteran's Crisis Line.  This line helps veterans in need.
20. Energy assistance program.  Check with your local utility company to see if they offer any sort of energy assistance program to help you pay your electricity bills.
21. Welfare programs.  Your local welfare/DSHS office can review your information and see if you qualify for social service programs like Section 8 housing, SSI, TANF, etc.
22. Disability benefits.  Social Security disability benefits kick in if you are too disabled to work.
23. Homeless shelters.  Most communities have some sort of homeless shelter for those with no other place to go.  This link will help you find local shelter resources.
24. National Domestic Violence Hotline.  For those living in a domestic violence situation, calling this number will help you find local resources to get out of your situation including shelters and support services.
25. LGBTQ resources.  This list provides a range for resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans gender, and queer people in need.
26. Homeless Student Guide.  Here is a list of resources for homeless college students covering everything from summer housing programs to food programs and more.
27. Alcoholics Anonymous.  This program helps those who want to quit drinking.  Related programs include Al Anon and Alateen.
28. NA  Similar to AA, Narcotics Anonymous helps those who want to quit using drugs.
29. Habitat for Humanity.  This organization helps people build homes for themselves and others.
30. Immigrant Legal Resource Center.  This organization helps immigrants with immigration-related issues.
31. National Association for Area Agencies on Aging.  This organization provides resources and information for senior citizens.
32. Law Help.  This site provides links to free legal assistance programs in your area.
33. Internet Lifeline Program.  Low income and no income folks may qualify for reduced-cost internet through their local internet provider.  You would need to call your local internet providers and ask about this program and how to qualify.
34. WIC  For women who are pregnant or have young children, the WIC program provides supplemental food assistance.
35. Assistance for dealing with debt.  This page lists many resources for dealing with debt ranging from free credit counseling to bankruptcy services.
36. Partnership for Prescription Assistance.  This site provides links to free and reduced-cost prescription medication resources.
37. Adult Job Training Programs.  This list provides a range of resources for job training programs.
38. Local Health District.  Contact your local health district for a wide range of local, often free, health programs (example here).
39. Charity Care.  If you get hit with a big hospital bill, ask your hospital's billing department if they offer any sort of charity care program which can greatly reduce the amount you owe.
40. Community Public Education.  Many community organizations offer a range of community freebies and services (ie: free smoke detectors from the fire department, free safety events from the police department, free health screenings from local hospitals and other local health organizations, etc).
41. Red Cross.  The local Red Cross in your area can provide a range of disaster assistance programs from helping those who lose their home in a fire to providing assistance to military families.
42. Military One Source.  Military families often face some unique circumstances, this website covers many of them.
43. Poison Control.  This national website provides oodles of information on poisons, medications, and poison prevention resources.
44. Planned Parenthood.  This national organization provides free and low-cost sexual health services.
45. Vaccines and Immunizations.  This site lists local resources for free and reduced-cost vaccines and immunizations for the entire family.
46. Disaster Assistance.  FEMA offers a range of assistance programs if you are in a declared disaster area.
47. College scholarships.  Scholarships can be one way to further your education at no cost to you.
48. Free stuff.  There are many sites that list free things you can get including FreeCycle, birthday freebies, Couch Surfing, Warm Showers, Craigslist free stuff, etc.
49. Free coding classes.  Learning to code can be a great career step; this site offers links to several free "learn to code" websites.
50. Open Education.  This site lists thousands of free online college-level courses.