Call 2-1-1 or Text You Zip Code to 898211
What is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is a Guiding Light!
211 IS AMERICA’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES.
211 is a 24/7 go-to resource that connects millions with locally available help. Expert, caring call center operators are supporting 99% of the U.S.population. It’s free, confidential and available in more than 180 languages.
The 211 network fields some 18 million requests for help every year, including 686K in Spanish. These requests aren’t answered by technology, but by 5,600+ real people who are part of the 211 network. In a disaster, personal crisis, or daily challenge, these trained specialists connect people to available resources for finding food, paying housing bills and connecting to
other essential services.
English
Spanish
Need Help?
Get Connected. Get Help.
Every hour of every day, someone in Illinois needs help locating and connecting with essential community services. On February 11, 2009, 2-1-1 made its debut in 13 counties to help residents find fast, free and confidential help for health and human services. In 2017, 2-1-1 has reached over 60 counties and still counting.
2-1-1 is for times of non-emergency crisis as well as for everyday needs. The 2-1-1 call specialists are available to help individuals locate health and human service assistance, on everything from mortgage assistance, EITC tax help and food and shelter, to job counseling services and health resources.
2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services, such as:
- Basic Human Needs: such as food, shelter, rent and utility assistance
- Physical and Mental Health Resources: such as health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, medical information lines, crisis intervention services
- Employment Supports: such as job training, transportation assistance, education programs
- Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: such as adult day care, respite care, home health care, independent living programs
- Support for Children, Youth and Families: such as after school programs, family resource centers, mentoring, tutoring, protective services
211 Illinois Services
Seven different 211 Contact Centers provide 24/7 services covering 84 counties in Illinois. Four of the seven centers are nationally accredited by Inform USA and the remaining are in the accreditation process. Each 211 Contact Center provides multilingual phone and text services. It has also published a 211 Resource Directory of national, statewide, and local organizations on its website for easy self-referral.
