Where to get help: free, trustworthy places to turn
Here's something people who get ahead already know: asking for help is part of the plan. They hire a tax preparer, call a lawyer, lean on a mentor. Big companies ask investors for money and apply for tax breaks. These resources are the same idea. They're here for anyone to use, and using them is just smart.
US resources only. Many rules vary by state, so check what applies where you live.
Three numbers
worth knowing
Call 211
A free, confidential service that connects you with local help for rent, food, utilities, health care and more. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org.
Call or text 988
If you're struggling or need someone to talk to, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and open any time, day or night.
Call 911
For anything urgent, like a fire, a medical emergency or someone in danger, call 911 right away.
Renting, leases and tenant questions
Free legal aid
Deposit disputes, repairs or an eviction notice. LawHelp.org lists free legal aid offices by state.
Tenant rights by state
Tenant laws vary by state, and sometimes by city. HUD keeps renter resources for each state.
Help with rent
Behind on rent or about to be? Call 211 early. Local programs can sometimes help before things get worse.
Start with the guide: A place of my own.
Banking, credit, debt and taxes
Plain money answers
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains bank accounts, credit and loans, and takes complaints about financial companies.
Your free credit reports
AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site for free credit reports. Watch out for look-alike sites that charge.
Help with debt
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling can connect you with a nonprofit credit counselor.
Taxes from your paycheck
The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator helps you fill out your W-4 so the right amount is taken out.
Start with the guide: Make money make sense.
Job searching, pay and safety
Job search help
American Job Centers offer free help with job searches, résumés and training. Find one through CareerOneStop.
Pay and hours
Minimum wage, overtime and getting paid on time. The Wage and Hour Division explains federal rules. Your state may have its own.
Safety at work
If something at work feels unsafe, OSHA explains your rights and how to raise a concern.
Start with the guide: Find my footing at work.
Coverage, low-cost care and food help
Health coverage
HealthCare.gov explains your options for insurance, including Medicaid, which varies by state.
Low-cost care
Community health centers charge based on what you earn. Find one with the health center finder.
Food assistance
You may qualify for SNAP, and local food banks can help too. Rules vary by state.
Start with the guide: Handle the everyday.
IDs, records and registrations
Social Security card
Replace a lost card or update your name for free at ssa.gov.
Birth certificate
Order a copy from the state where you were born. The CDC lists each state's vital records office.
Driver's license or state ID
Go through your state's DMV. When you search for it, make sure the website ends in .gov, so you don't pay extra fees to a look-alike site.
Voter registration
Register or update your address through vote.gov. Deadlines vary by state.
When to ask a professional, and what kind
Our guides are general information, not professional advice. When it's about your own situation and the stakes are real, these are the right people to ask.
- An eviction notice, a lease dispute or a contract you don't understand: a legal aid office or a lawyer.
- Debt that feels out of control, or a budget that won't work: a nonprofit credit counselor.
- Taxes that feel confusing: a qualified tax preparer. Free IRS-certified help (VITA) is available for many people.
- Not getting paid what you're owed: your state's labor office.
- Health questions or new symptoms: a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
- Stress, anxiety or feeling low: a counselor or therapist, or call or text 988.
We're not connected to any of these organizations. We list them because they're free, official or well-known nonprofit sources.
Smart people ask for help.
Now you know where.
Open the resource that fits, or go back to a guide and take it one piece at a time.
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