2-1-1 Texas
Last updated August 2026
When you do not know which Texas program to call, dial 2-1-1, or 877-541-7905 from any phone. It is free, anonymous, and answered day and night, every day. Pick your language, then: option 1 for local community help like rent, food, and utility funds; option 2 for state benefits like SNAP and Medicaid.
A real person searches while you are on the line. The network is run by Texas Health and Human Services through 25 regional centers, and the specialists know which local funds have money and open intake this week. That freshness is why one call beats an afternoon of dead-end searching.
Tell them everything, not just the scariest bill. Food, housing, child care, crisis counseling, substance abuse treatment: one call can line up referrals across all of it. Write down each name, number, and hours before you hang up.
Two more options on the menu worth knowing: option 4 registers medically fragile Texans for STEAR, the state's emergency assistance registry for disasters. Option 5 routes to mental health and substance abuse resources.
Prefer typing? 211texas.org has a searchable directory: enter what you need and where you are. Chat runs in English and Spanish. And for a mental health crisis specifically, 988 is the faster door; 911 for danger happening now.
Phone 1-877-541-7905
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Available to everyone in Texas; just dial 2-1-1
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Dial 2-1-1, or 877-541-7905 if 2-1-1 does not connect from your phone.
- 2
Pick your language, then option 1 for local help with rent, food, and bills, or option 2 for state benefit questions.
- 3
Say where you live and everything you need. More detail means more referrals.
- 4
Write down each referral's name, number, and hours before hanging up.
- 5
Call the referrals the same day; local funds open and close all the time.
- 6
Or search 211texas.org yourself, any hour, and chat in English or Spanish.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Is 2-1-1 Texas free?
Yes: free, anonymous, and answered 24/7, every day of the year, in the language you pick at the start of the call.
Which option do I press?
Option 1 for local community services like rent, food, and utility help. Option 2 for state benefits like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. Option 4 registers you for STEAR disaster help; option 5 is mental health and substance abuse.
Can 2-1-1 pay my bills?
No. It connects you to the local agencies, churches, and funds that can, and its specialists know which ones have money right now.
Can I search online instead of calling?
Yes. 211texas.org has a searchable statewide directory; enter the kind of help you need and your location. Chat is available in English and Spanish.
When do I call 988 instead?
For a suicidal or mental health crisis, call or text 988 any hour. Call 911 for immediate danger. Keep 2-1-1 for finding practical help like food, rent, and utilities.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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