GET HELP

Now accepting nominations for Operation United

Now accepting nominations for Operation United

Whoever you are, whatever your needs, United Way’s 2-1-1 makes it easy to find food, shelter, utility assistance, childcare, transportation, assistance with disaster recovery, and more.

  • outline of a cell phone with sound waves coming from the sides

    DIAL 2-1-1

    Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-887-1107 to get connected to resources in your community. Available 24/7/365

    CALL 2-1-1
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    LIVE CHAT

    Chat online with a trained Community Resource Specialist. Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

    Chat Now
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    EMAIL

    Email 2-1-1 to learn about helpful services in your area. Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

    Email 2-1-1
  • cell phone icon with a speech bubble on top of it

    TEXT

    Text your zip code to 898211. Standard message and data rates may apply. Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

    Text 2-1-1

Thousands of services. One Call.

United Way's 2-1-1 connects people to thousands of services across Michigan. Services include food, shelter, utility assistance, childcare, transportation, assistance with disaster recovery, and more. Whoever you are, whatever your needs, 2-1-1 makes it easy to find help for yourself, a neighbor, or a loved one.

Please note that 2-1-1 is an information and referral service and does not provide direct services or financial assistance.

Two tax volunteers sitting at a table facing the camera helping a community member file their taxes

No Cost Tax Assistance

United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free, reliable tax help for eligible individuals. Our trained and IRS Certified volunteers can help you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other credits you qualify for, ensuring you receive the maximum refund you deserve.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • Cybercrime and online fraud can happen to anyone; it's important to know where to turn if it happens to you. Visit fightcybercrime.org for help and resources.

  • Get connected to early childhood resources, programs, and services across Michigan. Find services in your county.

  • Apply for Benefits, Manage Your Case, and Explore Resources. Apply here.

  • MySmartMoney offers free financial planning tools online, from partners you can trust – United Way and The SunTrust Foundation. Explore the tools here.

  • Search the Michigan 2-1-1 database for more than 27,000 statewide programs. View the statewide directory.

  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

    Lifeline Chat is a service of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, connecting individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat. All chat centers in the Lifeline network are accredited by CONTACT USA. Lifeline Chat is available 24/7 across the U.S.

  • Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) through MIBridges. Qualifying through SER will allow someone to access the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). People who would like to fill out a paper copy can print one here or go to the MDHHS office at 121 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 to fill one out.

    If qualified through MDHHS, other supplemental resources may be available. Agencies that provide this assistance include Kent County Community Action, The Salvation Army, North Kent Connect, True North, Kent County Veteran Services, and Senior Neighbors. 

    Enroll in an Affordable Payment Plans through Consumers (Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy, or CARE) and DTE (Low Income Self Sufficiency Program, or LSP). Both require applying for SER first.