Resources for Families: Food, Student, Financial & Household Help
When a household needs help, start with the right door.
Families can run into a rough month, a job change, rising grocery costs, school expenses, utility trouble, or a situation where they simply do not know which program to call first. This page points to established public and nonprofit resources that can help you begin the search.
Blog Street approach: we do not collect applications, personal documents, Social Security numbers, benefit information, or case details. These buttons take you directly to the organizations that handle the assistance.
Not Sure Which Program You Need? Start With 211.
The 211 network connects people with local help for needs such as food, housing, utilities, transportation, health-related services, caregiver support, and other community assistance. You can call 211 or use the online locator to find the 211 service that covers your area.
Find Your Local 211Food Assistance
Find a Local Food Bank
Feeding America's locator lets you enter a ZIP code to find the food bank serving your community. Local food banks can connect families with pantries, mobile distributions, meal programs, and in some areas SNAP application help.
Find a Food BankUSDA National Hunger Hotline
The National Hunger Hotline can connect people with nearby food providers and social-service resources. Families can also use its text service to search for food help near an address or ZIP code.
Call: 1-866-348-6479
Text: 914-342-7744
Hunger Hotline InformationSUN Bucks / Summer EBT
Eligible school-age children may receive summer grocery assistance through SUN Bucks. Participation and application details vary by state, Tribe, or territory.
Check SUN Bucks in Your AreaGovernment Food Benefits
USAGov provides starting points for programs such as SNAP and WIC and can direct families to the correct government agency.
Explore Food AssistanceStudent & Child Needs
Head Start & Early Head Start
Families with young children can use the official Head Start Center Locator to search by city, state, or ZIP code and contact nearby programs directly about eligibility and enrollment.
Find a Head Start ProgramSchool Supplies, Clothing & Local Student Help
Programs for backpacks, uniforms, clothing, tutoring, school fees, transportation, and emergency student needs are often local. Contact your school district's student services office and check 211 for nonprofit programs serving your ZIP code.
Search Through 211School Meals & Summer Food
Ask your child's school or district about free or reduced-price meals, breakfast programs, summer meals, and any school-based food pantry or backpack programs available locally.
USDA School Meals InformationLooking for Schools or Learning Options?
Use the Blog Street School Finder for public and private school research, online K-12 options, and additional skill-building resources.
Open the School FinderFinancial & Benefit Help
USAGov Benefit Finder
Use the federal Benefit Finder to explore government assistance by category, including children and families, food, housing and utilities, education, health, and cash assistance.
Use the Benefit FinderState Social Service Agency
State agencies administer many benefit programs. USAGov maintains a state-by-state directory so you can go directly to the correct agency.
Find Your State AgencyUtility Assistance
LIHEAP Energy Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help eligible households with home-energy costs. Eligibility and application rules vary by state, territory, and in some cases Tribal program.
Check LIHEAP EligibilityAsk Your Utility Provider, Too
Utility companies may offer payment arrangements, hardship programs, budget billing, or partnerships with local nonprofits. Contact the provider before a bill reaches shutoff status whenever possible.
Find Utility Help Through 211Phone & Internet Assistance
Lifeline is a federal program that provides a monthly discount on qualifying phone, internet, or bundled service for eligible households. Eligibility can be based on income or participation in certain assistance programs.
Visit Lifeline SupportLifeline is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company under FCC oversight. Benefit amounts and eligibility rules can change, so verify the current details on the official site before applying.
Before You Apply Anywhere
- Check that the website belongs to the government agency or established nonprofit you intended to reach.
- Read eligibility rules before sharing personal documents.
- Keep copies of confirmation numbers and application notices.
- Ask whether assistance is one-time, recurring, or dependent on available funding.
- If a local program is full, ask whether there is a waiting list or another organization serving the same area.
- Recheck program information when you need it; funding, hours, and eligibility can change.
