211 Resource & Referral Hotline

Just like calling 911 in an emergency, 211 is your free 3-digit helpline for local support and resources such as: clothing, counseling, employment, financial assistance, food, health clinics, housing assistance, seasonal services (tax prep, holiday assistance, etc.), shelters, transportation, and more.

It's FREE, confidential, and available 24/7. 211 can assist people in over 240 languages through the use of Language Line translation services. Services are also accessible for people with disabilities. 

There are many ways to use 211

Dial 2-1-1

Call Toll-free 866-813-1731

Text your ZIP code to 898211

Available online at 211iowa.org

Free in the app store. Search 211 Iowa

If you would like to see if your agency/organization information could be placed on the 2-1-1 site and used for referrals, please click here to check out the inclusion/exclusion policy, add a new agency, or update your agency info!

You can also look at 2-1-1 Counts to see community needs trends for a specific area. Click here to see more. 

Who We Help

Individuals, families, and the greater community all benefit from United Way 2-1-1. Those who call 2-1-1 work with trained and certified Information and Referral Specialists who assist individuals and families in finding possible resources to meet their needs. Information about where people call from (i.e., zip code), what they call about, and gaps in services are then shared to assist with community planning.

  • Basic Human Needs Resources – including food and clothing banks, shelters, rent assistance, and utility assistance.
  • Physical and Mental Health Resources – including health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health resources, health insurance programs for children, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, and drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.
  • Work Support – including financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, and education programs.
  • Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities – including adult daycare, community meals, respite care, home health care, transportation, and homemaker services.
  • Children, Youth, and Family Support – including childcare, after-school programs, educational programs for low-income families, family resource centers, summer camps, and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, and protective services.
  • Emergency Suicide Prevention – referral to suicide prevention help organizations. Callers can also dial the following National Suicide Prevention Hotline numbers operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services:
  • 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
  • 1-888-SUICIDE (1-888-784-2433)
  • 1-877-SUICIDA (1-877-784-2432) (Spanish)