NJ 2-1-1 To Get Help or Give Help

What is 211?

211 is a vital service leveraged by millions of people across North America. Every day, clients contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utilities payment assistance, employment services, veteran services and childcare and family services.

What Does 211 Do?

No matter the situation, the specialists at 211 listen, identify underlying problems, and connect people in need with resources and services in their community that improve their lives. In 2018 alone, 211s in the US answered almost 11 million calls and almost 1 million texts, chats and emails, helping millions of people with life-changing support.

Why Does 211 Matter?

211 does more than “patch people through” to agencies. Instead, 211 specialists are trained to identify root causes of a client’s problem – and connect them with a wide range of available resources that meet all the underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text or email. No other program has its “finger on the pulse” of America’s greatest needs. It’s a vital part of United Way’s efforts to build stronger communities and fight for the health,education and financial stability of every person in every community. 211 makes the social services ecosystem/network more efficient by ensuring people in need are connected to agencies that can help them.

For free and confidential information and referrals in New Jersey, contact NJ 211:

CALL : 2-1-1 or 877-NJ2114U (877-652-1148)

EMAIL : info@nj211.org

WEB : www.nj211.org

TEXT: Text your zip code to 898-211

NJ 211 also serves as MIddlesex County's Homeless Hotline for individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. 

Food Insecurity

United Way of Central Jersey works closely with the County's food pantry, MCFOODS, which supplies local food distribution organizations throughout Middlesex County.  To access the MCFOODS directory, please click here.