Home How To Find Help

How to find help

Ohio 211 connects you to food, housing, utilities, health care, and hundreds of other community resources. It’s free, confidential, and available every hour of every day.

A smiling 211 navigator wearing a headset

Ways to get help

Call 2-1-1

or 1-888-OHIO-211

(1-888-644-6211)

Free and confidential help from a trained navigator. Available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Call now

Find your 211

Ohio 211 is a network of regional 211 centers. Choose your county to find your 211.

If it is an emergency, call 911.

For emotional support, call or text 988.

What 211 can help with

211 navigators will refer you to available community-based resources. Not sure what you need? That’s okay. Call 211 and a navigator will help you sort it out.

  • Food and mealsFood pantries, free meals, and food assistance.
  • Housing and shelterEmergency shelter, help with rent, and housing programs.
  • Utility billsHelp with electric, gas, and water bills and shutoff notices.
  • Financial helpEmergency assistance, public benefits, and free tax preparation.
  • Health careClinics, prescription help, and health coverage options.
  • Mental health and substance useCounseling, support groups, and treatment programs.
  • Clothing and householdClothing, furniture, and personal care items.
  • Jobs and transportationJob training, employment help, and rides to appointments.

211 can also connect you with legal aid, disaster services, family support, and other government programs.

24/7Answered every hour of every day
88Ohio counties served
935,952Referrals provided in 2025

What happens when you call

  1. A navigator answers.

    A trained navigator at the 211 center serving your area picks up, day or night.

  2. They listen.

    Share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with. There’s no wrong reason to call.

  3. You leave with next steps.

    You’ll hear about local programs that fit your situation and how to reach them, including help you may not have known to ask about.

A smiling 211 navigator wearing a headset

Common questions

Does it cost anything to call 211?

No. Calling 2-1-1 is free, and what you share stays confidential.

What if 2-1-1 doesn’t work from my phone?

Some phones, such as certain workplace lines and internet-based phone services, can’t dial three-digit numbers. Call 1-888-OHIO-211 (1-888-644-6211) instead and you’ll reach the same help.

Can I call for someone else?

Yes. You can call 211 to find help for a family member, friend, or neighbor. Provide their zip code and age when calling so we can find the best resources.

Can I text or chat with 211?

Most local 211 centers offer text or online chat, but it isn’t available in every county yet. Calling 2-1-1 works everywhere in Ohio, any time.

Does 211 serve my county?

Yes. As of July 1, 2026, 211 is available in all 88 Ohio counties through an expansion supported by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth.

Is 211 for emergencies?

No. 211 connects you with community resources. If it is an emergency, call 911. For emotional support, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

About Ohio 211

Ohio 211 is a statewide nonprofit that coordinates the 13 regional 211 centers serving all 88 Ohio counties. In 2025, those centers handled 797,120 contacts from Ohioans looking for help with food, housing, utilities, employment, counseling, legal aid, health care, and more.

Our mission is to provide leadership in advocating and collaborating with public and private stakeholders to increase access to quality information and referral services through coordination, education, and innovation.

Ohio 211 is the operating name of the Ohio Council of Information and Referral Providers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. PO Box 496, Painesville, OH 44077.