Pick what you need. It opens a short list of who to call. These work in every state. For your state's own offices, choose your state.
Free, private support any hour of the day.
Text START to 88788
National Domestic Violence Hotline
An advocate can help you think through safety, shelter and next steps, whether or not you are ready to leave.
Next step: Call, text or chat. You do not have to give your name.
Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free support for anyone in emotional distress or crisis, any hour.
988 Lifeline
You do not have to be thinking about suicide to call.
Next step: Call or text 988.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Crisis counselors answer any hour.
Childhelp
Call if you are worried about a child, or if you are afraid you might hurt yours.
Next step: Call and say what is going on.
Phone: 1-800-4-A-CHILD
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Every state and territory has a coalition that knows the local shelters and programs.
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
They can point you to a safe place near you.
Next step: Open the list, choose your state, and call the coalition or the hotline it lists. Shelter addresses are kept private for safety, so this site never lists them.
A free line that connects you to local help with housing, food, utilities, child care and more.
211, United Way and partners
Next step: Dial 211, or search by ZIP code at 211.org. Say what you need and your county.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free, confidential support any hour for veterans, service members and their families and friends.
Text 838255
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
You do not have to be enrolled in VA health care.
Next step: Dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat on the website.
Phone: Dial 988, then press 1
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
SNAP helps households with low income buy food.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration
Each state runs its own program, so the website, phone number and rules depend on where you live.
Next step: Open the state directory and choose your state. It links to your state's SNAP page and how to apply.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
WIC gives healthy foods, nutrition advice, breastfeeding support and referrals at no cost.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration
It is for women who are pregnant, recently pregnant or breastfeeding, and for babies and children under 5.
Next step: Choose your state on the apply page, then call or apply online with a WIC agency near you. Bring ID for each person, proof of address, and proof you get SNAP, Medicaid or TANF, or proof of income.
LIHEAP can help pay a share of your energy bills for households with low income.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Rules and how to apply differ by state. Applying never costs a fee.
Next step: Call the National Energy Assistance Referral line, weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern, or visit EnergyHelp.us. Give your city, county and state.
Phone: NEAR hotline
Food banks and their partner pantries give out groceries and meals for free.
Feeding America
Your local food bank can also tell you about SNAP and WIC.
Next step: Enter your ZIP code. Then contact the food bank for pantry locations and hours, since they change.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
A free line that connects you to local help with housing, food, utilities, child care and more.
211, United Way and partners
Next step: Dial 211, or search by ZIP code at 211.org. Say what you need and your county.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Health centers funded by HRSA charge on a sliding fee scale, so you can get care even if you are uninsured or cannot pay.
HRSA health centers, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Free or reduced-cost prenatal care may also be available through your area health department.
Next step: Search by ZIP code on the HRSA site, call the center, and ask whether it provides prenatal care and what the sliding fee would be. Or call 1-800-311-BABY to find your area health department.
Phone: 1-800-311-BABY
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover many children in families with low or moderate income.
Insure Kids Now, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Each state sets its own rules.
Next step: Open the coverage page, choose your state, and follow the steps to apply. Questions can go to the national line.
Phone: 1-877-KIDS-NOW
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Breastfeeding peer counselors answer questions, help with common problems and point you to other help, in English or Spanish.
Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
It is an information line and does not give medical advice.
Next step: Call Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern; it is closed on federal holidays. WIC also offers breastfeeding support.
Meetings and one-to-one help led by trained volunteer Leaders, who have breastfed their own babies.
La Leche League
A map shows groups and Leaders near you and online.
Next step: Open the map, allow your location or search your area, and contact a Leader. Ask whether there is any cost.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Diaper banks collect and give out free diapers to families who struggle to afford them.
National Diaper Bank Network member banks
The national directory lists member banks by state and city.
Next step: Open the directory, find your state, and contact the bank nearest you to ask how to sign up. Rules differ by bank. If none is close, dial 211 and ask about diaper help.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Put your baby to sleep on their back, on a firm, flat surface made for babies, with nothing soft in the sleep space.
Safe to Sleep campaign, National Institutes of Health
This lowers the risk of sleep-related death.
Next step: Read the short guides, in English and Spanish, before the first night home.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
WIC gives healthy foods, nutrition advice, breastfeeding support and referrals at no cost.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration
It is for women who are pregnant, recently pregnant or breastfeeding, and for babies and children under 5.
Next step: Choose your state on the apply page, then call or apply online with a WIC agency near you. Bring ID for each person, proof of address, and proof you get SNAP, Medicaid or TANF, or proof of income.
Free checklists show what most children do at each age, from 2 months to 5 years.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
They come in English and Spanish, and there is a free phone app.
Next step: Fill out the checklist for your child's age. Take it to your child's next doctor visit. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for help.
Phone: CDC-INFO
Every state has free early intervention for children under 3 who are behind or have a disability.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
You can call yourself. You do not need a doctor's note.
Next step: Look up your state's number and ask for a free evaluation. If your child is 3 or older, call your public school district instead.
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
Every state has a free parent center for families of children with any disability, from birth to age 26.
Center for Parent Information and Resources
Staff help with school plans, meetings and your rights.
Next step: Find your state on the map. Call before your next school meeting.
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
Parents who have been there help other families with doctors, insurance, Medicaid and disability services.
Family Voices
There is one in every state.
Next step: Find your state's center on the map and call or email them.
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
A trained volunteer parent whose child has a similar disability calls you, listens and shares what helped them.
Parent to Parent USA
It is free.
Next step: Find your state's Parent to Parent program on the map and ask to be matched.
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
Trained staff help families find autism services, support groups and local chapters.
Autism Society of America
This is not a crisis line.
Next step: Call on a weekday or fill out the online form. Ask about the chapter in your state.
Phone: 800-3-AUTISM, weekdays
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
A helpline answers questions about ADHD: diagnosis, treatment, school help and local support groups.
CHADD, funded by CDC
Spanish speakers are available.
Next step: Call the ADHD helpline, or use the parent toolkits on the website.
Phone: ADHD helpline
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
Respite gives family caregivers a short break while someone trained cares for your child.
ARCH National Respite Network
This search finds respite programs and ways to pay for them.
Next step: Search by state. The list is not complete, so also ask your county or state disability office.
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
Monthly payments for children with serious disabilities in families with low income and savings.
Social Security Administration
In most states, SSI also means Medicaid. At 18, Social Security checks again using adult rules.
Next step: Start online or call for an appointment. Have medical and school records ready.
Phone: TTY 800-325-0778
NAMI Basics is a free 6-week class for parents and caregivers of children and teens with mental health symptoms, taught by parents who have been there.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
It is offered in person or online. The HelpLine gives information and support. It is not a crisis line.
Next step: Find a class through your local NAMI or take the online version. Call the HelpLine on weekdays.
Phone: 800-950-NAMI, weekdays
One page per state gathers links for finding licensed child care, help paying for it, child support, health coverage and more.
ChildCare.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Next step: Open the state list and choose your state. Use the link to your state's child care search to find providers near you.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free learning and development for children from birth to age 5 in eligible families.
Office of Head Start, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Early Head Start serves babies and toddlers, and some programs also serve pregnant women. All programs welcome children with disabilities.
Next step: Use the center locator, then call the program listed and ask how to enroll. If there is no space, ask to be added to the waiting list.
Legal aid offices help people with low income with family law, eviction, benefits and more, at no cost.
Legal Services Corporation and LawHelp.org
Rules about who qualifies depend on the office.
Next step: Use the Legal Services Corporation finder to reach the program for your area. LawHelp.org also has state-by-state guides, forms and local contacts.
Free, confidential emotional support for parents and caregivers when parenting feels like too much.
Parents Anonymous
Trained specialists answer by call, text or live chat any hour.
Next step: Call, text or chat. You do not have to be in a crisis.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free, private support for anyone who is pregnant or has had a baby and feels sad, anxious or overwhelmed.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Counselors answer any hour, in English and Spanish.
Next step: Call or text. You do not have to be in a crisis to reach out.
Phone: 1-833-TLC-MAMA
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
PSI has Support Coordinators in every US state who can talk with you about postpartum depression, anxiety and other struggles around pregnancy and birth, and point you to local help.
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Next step: Call the HelpLine or open the PSI site and choose United States to find help in your area. This is not an emergency line. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free, confidential emotional support for parents and caregivers when parenting feels like too much.
Parents Anonymous
Trained specialists answer by call, text or live chat any hour.
Next step: Call, text or chat. You do not have to be in a crisis.
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
Free, private referrals to treatment and support for mental health or substance use, any hour, every day of the year.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Next step: Call and describe what you need. They can refer you to local services.
Phone: 1-800-662-HELP
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
NAMI Basics is a free 6-week class for parents and caregivers of children and teens with mental health symptoms, taught by parents who have been there.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
It is offered in person or online. The HelpLine gives information and support. It is not a crisis line.
Next step: Find a class through your local NAMI or take the online version. Call the HelpLine on weekdays.
Phone: 800-950-NAMI, weekdays
Free consultants help military families with special education, TRICARE, EFMP and local services.
U.S. Department of Defense
Retirees and honorably discharged members can use it for one year after leaving service.
Next step: Call any time or start a chat to set up a phone or video meeting.
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
Active duty families sign up a family member with special medical or school needs.
Each military service branch
This helps the military plan moves and support around those needs. Some TRICARE programs require it.
Next step: Contact the EFMP office at your base, or call Military OneSource.
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
Health coverage for children of veterans rated permanently and totally disabled by a service-connected condition (or who died from one), if the family cannot get TRICARE.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
It usually ends at 18, or 23 for full-time students. A child who could not support themselves before 18 may stay covered.
Next step: Check if you qualify and apply on VA.gov, or ask your county veterans service officer to help.
Checked November 8, 2026. Sources: 1
Free, confidential support any hour for veterans, service members and their families and friends.
Text 838255
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
You do not have to be enrolled in VA health care.
Next step: Dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat on the website.
Phone: Dial 988, then press 1
Checked November 15, 2026. Sources: 1
In danger right now? Call 911. Domestic violence shelter addresses are never listed here, for safety.