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State-by-State Help Directory
Most assistance is run by your state. Find the right office for unemployment, SNAP, Medicaid and energy help.
Federal programs set the rules, but states handle the applications — which is why the same program can have a different name, website and phone number depending on where you live.
Pick your state below to jump to the official offices, then use the national directories if you need something more local.
Find help in your state
Free tool
State-by-State Help Finder
Choose your state to see the official gateways for food, housing, jobless benefits, energy help and more.
Pick a state to see where to start. These official national gateways route you to your own state's programs.
What your state usually runs (and what it may be called)
| Program | What it helps with | Often called | Where to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Insurance | Partial wage replacement after a job loss | UI, Reemployment Assistance, Job Service | CareerOneStop |
| SNAP | Monthly grocery money on an EBT card | Food stamps, CalFresh, Basic Food, FAP | USDA SNAP |
| Medicaid / CHIP | Free or low-cost health coverage | Medi-Cal, MassHealth, SoonerCare and others | Medicaid.gov |
| LIHEAP | Heating and cooling bills, shutoff help | Energy Assistance, HEAP, EAP | ACF LIHEAP |
| TANF | Cash help for families with children | Welfare, Family Assistance, Work First | ACF TANF |
| WIC | Food and nutrition for moms and kids under 5 | WIC | USDA WIC |
| Child Care Assistance | Help paying for child care while you work or train | CCAP, Child Care Subsidy | ChildCare.gov |
| Unclaimed Property | Money owed to you that was turned over to the state | Unclaimed Funds, Treasure Hunt | Unclaimed.org |
National directories that cover every state
211 NonprofitLocal help lines covering most of the country — the best first call for rent and utility emergencies.211.org ↗findhelp.org FreeEnter a ZIP code to see free and reduced-cost programs nearby.findhelp.org ↗USA.gov Benefits GovOfficial federal guide to benefits with links to state agencies.usa.gov ↗CareerOneStop GovFind your state unemployment office and local American Job Center.careeronestop.org ↗USDA SNAP State Directory GovLinks to every state’s SNAP application and contact info.fns.usda.gov ↗Medicaid.gov GovFind your state Medicaid agency and see how to apply.medicaid.gov ↗HealthCare.gov GovMarketplace coverage; some states run their own exchange and it will send you there.healthcare.gov ↗Community Action Partnership NonprofitFind your local community action agency — often the office that takes LIHEAP and weatherization applications.communityactionpartnership.com ↗Feeding America NonprofitFind the food bank that serves your county.feedingamerica.org ↗Legal Services Corporation GovFind free civil legal aid in your state.lsc.gov ↗Eldercare Locator GovConnects older adults and caregivers to local Area Agencies on Aging.eldercare.acl.gov ↗Unclaimed.org (NAUPA) NonprofitOfficial links to every state’s unclaimed property program.unclaimed.org ↗
Tips for dealing with state agencies
- Call right when phone lines open, or mid-week. Mondays and the days after holidays tend to be the busiest.
- Use the online portal when you can — it creates a record of what you submitted and when.
- If you move, apply in your new state. Most benefits don’t transfer automatically across state lines.
- Ask about expedited or emergency processing if you have very little money or food right now.
- Your local library can help you get online, print forms and scan documents for free.