Quick Help
Emergency hotlines, crisis lines, and verified nonprofits you can reach right now — free, confidential help while you connect with a legal-aid organization or attorney.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, laws vary by state, and deadlines can be strict. Pro Bono Vault is not a law firm and does not represent you. Use this to understand your options, then connect with a qualified legal-aid organization or attorney for advice about your specific case.
In immediate danger or a medical emergency? Call 911 now. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can text 911 in most areas.
Emergency & Access-to-Justice Hotlines
Nationally recognized helplines, reporting links, and court finders — free, confidential, and available when you need them fast. Tap a number to call directly.
Crisis & Safety Hotlines
Free, confidential, and available 24/7. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Emotional crisis, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming distress — for you or someone you care about.
ASL: dial 988 from a videophone, or use "ASL Now" at 988lifeline.org.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Abuse or violence by a partner or family member, and confidential safety planning.
Text START to 88788
TTY 1-800-787-3224 · Deaf/HoH videophone 1-855-812-1001
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)
Support after sexual assault or abuse, plus referrals to local services.
Text HOPE to 64673
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Report suspected trafficking or get help if you are being forced to work or provide services.
Text 233733 (BEFREE)
TTY: dial 711, then the number.
Veterans Crisis Line
Confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, and their families.
Text 838255
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Concerns about a child being abused, neglected, or harmed. Counselors available in 170+ languages.
Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Report a missing child or child sexual exploitation. Call police / 911 first if a child is in danger.
Online reports: report.cybertip.org
National Runaway Safeline
Help for youth who have run away or are homeless, and for their families.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Referrals for substance use and mental health treatment — free and confidential (not a crisis line).
TTY 1-800-487-4889
Disaster Distress Helpline
Emotional support during and after natural or human-caused disasters.
Poison Control
Suspected poisoning, overdose, or exposure to a harmful substance.
Report Fraud, Scams & Crime
Official federal channels to report fraud, identity theft, and other crimes. They will never demand payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency.
FBI — Report a Tip
Report federal crimes, threats, and suspicious activity. Tips can be anonymous.
FBI Internet Crime (IC3)
Report online scams, phishing, ransomware, and other internet-enabled fraud.
FTC — Report Fraud & Scams
Report scams, unwanted calls, and bad business practices. Get personalized recovery steps.
Identity Theft Recovery
The federal one-stop site if your identity or personal information was stolen — includes a recovery plan.
National Elder Fraud Hotline
DOJ-run help for people 60+ who are targets of financial fraud. A case manager helps you report it.
Courts & Free Legal Aid
Find the right court, official legal information, and organizations offering free legal aid, guidance, and pro bono representation.
Find Your Local & Federal Court
Official Federal Court Finder — search by ZIP code, city, or state for district, appeals, and bankruptcy courts.
U.S. Supreme Court
Opinions, oral arguments, the docket, and official information about the highest court.
Find Free Legal Aid (LawHelp)
Directory of free and low-cost legal-aid programs, organized by state and legal issue.
Legal Services Corporation
The nation's largest funder of civil legal aid — locate an LSC-funded program near you.
Dial 211 — Local Help & Referrals
Free, confidential referrals to local legal aid, housing, food, and other community services.
ABA Free Legal Answers
A virtual legal clinic by the American Bar Association where income-eligible users can post civil legal questions and get answers from volunteer attorneys — completely free.
Online only — select your state to check eligibility.
WomensLaw.org
Plain-language legal information for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Includes state-specific guides, court prep tools, and a confidential email hotline staffed by attorneys.
Email hotline at hotline.womenslaw.org — responses in 1–5 business days.
Pro Bono Net
Connects people to pro bono legal resources and volunteer attorneys through regional portals. Also powers LawHelp.org, the national directory of free legal aid by state.
National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA)
The oldest and largest national membership organization for legal aid and public defender programs. Advocates for equal justice and helps you locate legal-aid providers.
Deaf, hard of hearing, or unable to speak safely?
Many of these lines offer more than a phone call. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline answers ASL video calls (dial 988 from a videophone). The Domestic Violence Hotline has a TTY line (1-800-787-3224) and a Deaf-services videophone (1-855-812-1001). Most crisis lines above also accept text messages — look for the text option on each card. In most of the U.S. you can also text 911.
Organizations Offering Emergency Help
Verified nonprofits providing shelter, community aid, and survivor support. Every phone number and website below has been checked against the organization’s official source.
Emergency Shelter & Housing
Organizations that help you find a safe place to stay — tonight or long-term.
HUD "Find Shelter" Tool
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's search tool for emergency shelters, housing, healthcare, and clothing in communities nationwide.
The Salvation Army
Operates 7,300+ locations across the U.S. providing emergency shelters, food, and disaster relief services at no cost.
American Red Cross — Shelter Finder
Locates open Red Cross shelters during disasters. No ID required. Shelters are free and accept people with pets.
Catholic Charities USA
A network of 170 local agencies providing food, housing, immigration, and emergency services. Use the online locator to find your nearest agency.
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
Free, confidential support for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Available 24/7.
FEMA Disaster Shelters
During declared disasters, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 to find the nearest open shelter.
Text SHELTER + ZIP to 43362 during a disaster.
Rescue Missions & Community Aid
Faith-based and secular organizations providing meals, shelter, recovery programs, and wraparound support.
Citygate Network
A movement of 300+ gospel-powered rescue missions, addiction recovery centers, and life-transformation ministries across the U.S.
Volunteers of America
Operates in 46 states with emergency shelters, transitional housing, addiction recovery, and youth services. Use the online locator to find your nearest affiliate.
Coalition for the Homeless
Provides direct crisis intervention, legal advocacy, food programs, and permanent housing assistance. Emergency line available 24/7.
NYC-focused but operates a national crisis information line.
Immigrant & Survivor Support
Culturally specific services for immigrant communities and survivors of gender-based violence, trafficking, and abuse.
Tahirih Justice Center
Free, confidential legal and social services for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence — domestic violence, trafficking, forced marriage, and more. Five offices nationwide.
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
Legal services for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers — removal defense, citizenship, DACA, and detention assistance. Based in Chicago with national reach.
RAICES (Refugee & Immigrant Center)
Free and low-cost immigration legal services across Texas — asylum, removal defense, family-based cases, DACA, and detained family defense.
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Pro bono legal representation for unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children facing immigration court. Offices in multiple U.S. cities.
Manavi
The first U.S. organization dedicated to ending violence against South Asian survivors. 24/7 multilingual hotline (14+ languages), counseling, legal advocacy, and transitional housing in New Jersey.
Sakhi for South Asian Survivors
Helpline and services for South Asian survivors of gender-based and domestic violence in the New York City area. Support in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and more.
Text-only line: (305) 204-1809
South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS)
Empowers underserved South Asian immigrants in New York with healthcare access, public benefits guidance, food pantry, English classes, and community programs.
Looking for more?
The emergency hotlines section above lists crisis lines, fraud reporting, court finders, and free legal-aid organizations. You can also search our directory to find legal-aid organizations matched to your specific need and location.
Pro Bono Vault is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. Information here is general and may not reflect the most recent legal developments in your state.