Ask Helping Hand CALL FREE (855) 216-7634
How It Works Help Topics Help Now Food Banks Resources Call Free — (855) 216-7634
Free referral service · Mon–Fri 9am–6pm CT

Find the help that fits.

Call us. Tell a team member your situation. We'll point you to the federal programs, state agencies, local food banks, and verified hotlines that may help — so you can apply directly. The call is free. We do not pay bills or submit applications for you.

Call — free (855) 216-7634 Submit a form →
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm CT · Sat & Sun closed
Free to call Real person answers Verified referrals We never sell your info
Person on a phone call at a desk
Real person answers
Mon–Fri business hours
We point, you apply
Directly with the program

Just need a food bank near you?

Pick your state to see a verified directory — no call needed.

Rental help •SNAP & food banks •LIHEAP utility •ACA marketplace •Medicaid •FAFSA & Pell •WIC •Section 8 •CHIP for kids •Free legal aid •Job training •Debt counseling • Rental help •SNAP & food banks •LIHEAP utility •ACA marketplace •Medicaid •FAFSA & Pell •WIC •Section 8 •CHIP for kids •Free legal aid •Job training •Debt counseling •
How It Works

One call. Real referrals. No runaround.

We're a free information and referral service. Tell us your situation and we'll point you to the federal programs, local food banks, and hotlines that may help — so you can apply directly.

01

Call us — or submit a form

Call (855) 216-7634 during business hours and a real team member picks up. If we're closed, fill out our short form and we'll follow up the next business day.

Free to call
02

Tell us your situation

A team member listens, asks a few basic questions about what's urgent and where you live, and figures out which programs and hotlines fit your needs.

Real conversation
03

We tell you where to go or call

You get the federal programs, state agencies, local food banks, and verified hotlines that match your situation — plus the questions to ask. You apply directly with each program. We never submit forms for you.

You apply directly
Help Topics

Six topics. One phone call.

Whatever the situation, a team member knows which federal programs, state agencies, and local nonprofits fit. We point. We don't pay bills.

⌂

Rent & Housing

We refer to federal rental programs (Section 8, Public Housing), state emergency rental funds, and HUD-approved housing counselors.

Find rental help options →
⚡

Utilities & Internet

We refer to LIHEAP (federal energy assistance), Lifeline (free phone/internet), and Weatherization programs.

See utility programs →
♡

Food & Groceries

We refer to SNAP/EBT, WIC, local food banks (51-state directory), school meal programs, and Meals on Wheels.

Find food resources →
+

Healthcare & Insurance

We refer to ACA Marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP for kids, and prescription assistance programs.

See healthcare programs →
$

Financial Help

We refer to nonprofit credit counseling, unemployment offices, IRS hardship programs, and free legal aid networks.

See financial resources →
▣

Education & Career

We refer to FAFSA, Pell Grants, FSEOG, state workforce boards, and free job training (WIOA) programs.

Explore education aid →
All 50 States + DC

We've mapped food banks in every state.

Click any state to see a verified directory of Feeding America-network food banks with real addresses and phone numbers.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming D.C.

See all food banks →

Real Phone Numbers, Real Help

Need help tonight?

These free, verified federal and 501(c)(3) hotlines connect you with food, housing, energy, and crisis support — answered by real humans, not bots.

crisis24/7

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Free, confidential support for anyone in mental health crisis or emotional distress. Call, text, or chat 988.

988
general24/7 in most areas

211 — Local Help, Any Need

United Way nationwide help line. Connects you with local food, housing, utility, healthcare, employment, and crisis services in your community.

2-1-1
foodMon–Fri, 8am–8pm ET

USDA National Hunger Hotline

Free help finding food banks, SNAP/EBT info, soup kitchens, and meal sites near you. English and Spanish operators.

1-866-348-6479
utilityMon–Fri, 9am–7pm ET

LIHEAP / NEAR Energy Assistance

National Energy Assistance Referral hotline — connects you to your state LIHEAP office for help with heating, cooling, and weatherization bills.

1-866-674-6327
housingBusiness hours, Mon–Fri

HUD Housing Counseling

Find a HUD-approved housing counselor for help with renting, buying a home, foreclosure, or reverse mortgages — free or low-cost in your area.

1-800-569-4287
healthcare24/7

Healthcare.gov Marketplace

Help enrolling in ACA health insurance, finding subsidies, and navigating the federal marketplace. TTY: 1-855-889-4325.

1-800-318-2596
educationMon–Fri business hours

American Job Center / CareerOneStop

Free help finding jobs, training programs, career resources, and unemployment benefits info from the U.S. Department of Labor. Call 1-877-US2-JOBS.

1-877-872-5627

Note: These are official government and 501(c)(3) hotlines we share as a public service. Ask Helping Hand is not affiliated with these organizations.

Common Questions

Things people ask first.

Yes, calling (855) 216-7634 is completely free. There is no fee to talk to us, no fee to request a callback, and no upsells on the call. We're a privately held company, funded by its members — but we don't charge callers. We make our money elsewhere, not from you.

No. We are an information and referral service. We point you toward programs, agencies and resources that may help; you apply directly with the program.

A team member listens to your situation and helps identify relevant federal programs, state agencies, local food banks and verified hotlines. We explain where to go or who to call next.

Our listed business hours are Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm CT. Saturday and Sunday are closed.

It means a real person who listens to your situation, asks basic questions and helps identify resources that fit.

The supplied site content describes Ask Helping Hand as a privately held company, not a nonprofit.

No. The service refers callers to government programs and other organizations; it does not claim to be a government agency.

No. You apply directly with each program. We do not submit applications for you.

The supplied site content states: “We never sell your info.”

The service can help you identify several types of resources and explain where to go or call. 211 is also listed as a nationwide local-help option.
Ready When You Are

Pick up the phone. We'll pick up too.

A real team member on the line. We point you to the federal programs, local food banks, and hotlines that may fit your situation — free. You apply directly with each program.

Call now — free (855) 216-7634
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm CT · Sat & Sun closed
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