About Us | Ask Helping Hand

What we are

We help you find the right place to call.

Most assistance websites are designed to capture your information and sell it. Forms get submitted into a void. Auto-responses promise help that never comes. People in genuine hardship get treated like marketing leads.

We do it differently. A real team member picks up the phone, listens, and tells you which federal programs, state agencies, local food banks, and verified hotlines fit your situation — along with the questions to ask when you call them.

We don't pay your bills, issue checks or gift cards, handle food, manage debt, or submit forms for you. You apply directly with each program.

What we do

Plain-language information
Direct referrals to relevant federal programs
Connections to state agencies and local food banks
Verified crisis and assistance hotlines
Questions to ask when contacting programs
You apply directly with each program

How it works

A real person. A real next step.

A real phone line

A team member answers (855) 216-7634 during business hours. Mon–Fri 9am–6pm CT.

Real navigation

We tell you which federal programs, state agencies, and local food banks may match your situation — with the right phone numbers and websites.

You apply directly

We never submit forms or documents on your behalf. All applications and paperwork are done by you, directly with the program.

Our Team

Real people.

The people who answer the phone are trained on the federal programs (SNAP, LIHEAP, Section 8, Medicaid, ACA, FAFSA, and others), the local food bank networks, and the verified hotlines we refer to.

Our team works real business hours from our Illinois office — no offshore call center, no gig-worker scripts, no commissions tied to upsells. They're paid to help you find the right call to make.

Photos are illustrative. We don't publish individual team-member names to protect their privacy on sensitive calls.

Be clear about us

What we're honest about.

We're a private company

I CARE AMERICA INC DBA askhelpinghand.com is funded by its members. Mailing address: 5879 NEW PEACHTREE RD STE B ATLANTA, GA 30340. We are not a nonprofit, not a charity, and not a 501(c)(3).

Not the government

We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the U.S. government, HUD, USDA, HHS, the Department of Education, or any state agency.

Not a benefits provider

We do not pay rent, utility bills, insurance premiums, or medical bills. We do not issue checks, gift cards, loans, or financial aid.

We don't submit applications

All forms and paperwork are filed by you, directly with each program. We help you find the right program; you take it from there.

The call is free

The federal programs we refer to are free to apply for directly through their official channels. We add value by helping you find the right ones.

Your information stays private

We never sell your personal information. What you tell us stays with us. See our Privacy Policy for details.