Crisis & Emergency
Dozens of small and large natural disasters impact communities across the United States every year. Whether you experienced a house fire, a hurricane, a flood, or another type of disaster, help is available.
If you recently experienced a disaster and need immediate assistance:
- Call 911 for immediate medical attention.
- Find a shelter if you have evacuated because of a disaster and need to shelter outside of the hazard area. Search online using the American Red Cross Shelter Finder for help with locating open shelters near you.
- When disasters receive an official declaration from the federal government, individuals impacted by that disaster may be eligible for individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Go to DisasterAssistance.gov and search for your location to determine if you are eligible.
- If eligible, apply online and use the same site to check the status of your application.
- FEMA offers other disaster assistance resources for individuals impacted by disasters, including help for business owners and medical expenses. Learn more about all the FEMA Individual Assistance options here.
- Applying for FEMA assistance online is usually faster, but if you prefer to talk to someone you can also call 1-800-621-3362.
- Many states impacted by larger natural disasters have designated legal hotlines that can connect you with legal resources specific to your situation.
- Visit the American Bar Association's website here to find a hotline in your state.
- You can also find legal assistance related to disasters at the National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center.
- If you or a loved one is having a difficult time coping with the aftermath of a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24/7 and in many languages. The helpline is staffed by trained crisis counselors. From the United States and its territories, call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor, 24/7.
- Spanish-speakers can call the hotline and press “2” for bilingual support. Callers to the hotline can also connect with counselors in over 100 other languages via 3rd-party interpretation services; to connect with a counselor in your primary language, simply indicate your preferred language to the responding counselor and she/he will connect to a live interpreter (interpretation in less commonly-spoken languages may require calling back at an appointed time).
- Disasters can leave children and teens feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Their responses can be quite varied. It's important to not only recognize these reactions, but also help children cope with their emotions.
- FEMA's website Ready.gov offers tips and resources to help parents and other caregivers support children and teens impacted by disasters.
- If you had to relocate temporarily or permanently after a disaster, there are several steps you can take to help your child or teen adjust. Visit HealthyChildren.org for tips, resources, and additional support.
- Experts recommend that helping children be more prepared for disasters helps them be more resilient after one. For age-appropriate resources, activity guides, and information, visit the Ready Kids page on Ready.gov.
If you need help with one of these topics, reach out to the designated hotline today.
- 1-800-799-7233 for the National Domestic Violence Support Hotline.
- 1-888-373-7888 for the National Human Trafficking Hotline. You can also text the word 'Help' to 233-733.
- 1-800-656-4673 for the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
Housing & Utilities Assistance
The cost of housing and housing-related expenses, like water and power, has been increasing across the U.S. for many years. Many households spend more than half what they earn on housing expenses. First, contact your landlord, property manager, or mortgage lender to discuss your situation. There may be options available to you, like payment plans, that you're not aware of and can help you stay in your home.
If you recently experienced a disaster and need immediate assistance:
- Call 911 for immediate medical attention.
- Find a shelter if you have evacuated because of a disaster and need to shelter outside of the hazard area. Search online using the American Red Cross Shelter Finder for help with locating open shelters near you.
If you recently experienced a disaster and need immediate assistance:
- Call 911 for immediate medical attention.
- Find a shelter if you have evacuated because of a disaster and need to shelter outside of the hazard area. Search online using the American Red Cross Shelter Finder for help with locating open shelters near you.
If you are paying more than 1/3 of your income for housing expenses and having difficulties with other bills and basic needs, consider the following:
- Lower Costs: Although moving is a difficult change, finding affordable rent, or downsizing to lower your mortgage, is the best way to ensure you aren’t spending too much income on housing.
- Public Housing: Public housing was established to provide rental housing for eligible low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities.
- Public Housing may include apartment buildings for older adults/people with disabilities or offers rent subsidies through a voucher like Section 8. Sometimes these programs have long waiting lists.
- Huntsville Housing Authority (HHA) currently provides a variety of housing options to low-income individuals and families: more than 1700 rental apartments, including 1807 units of public housing. We serve all members of our community, including seniors, families, individuals and persons with disabilities, which meet the eligibility criteria for our programs. HHA partners with community agencies throughout city of Huntsville and Madison County to link our residents to services such as education, substance abuse and youth programs, financial services and job training and life skills.
- You can search income limits for public housing in your County here.
- You can also contact 211 and ask for your local Housing Authority which manages public housing in your area.
- Family Services Center (FSC) provides an array of anti-poverty and family strengthening programs in the greater Huntsville area, including mental health counseling, affordable housing, homelessness prevention, behavior modification education, conflict resolution, financial literacy training, substance abuse education, and parenting support.
Although buying a home can seem like a monumental challenge, there are many assistance programs to help first time buyers with down payment assistance, lower interest loans, and education to help make homeowner possible.
- Down Payment Assistance: Many communities have incentives and matching programs to help first time homebuyers save for a down payment. The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers some tips for first time homebuyers here.
- Loans: Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans offer reduced rates, low down payments, and easier credit score qualifications. Find an FHA program in your state.
- Homebuyer Education: Taking a homebuyer education class is the best way to learn about down payment assistance programs and subsidized loans. In addition, upon completion of a qualified class, participants are often eligible for significant discounts on mortgage insurance. Many University Extension offices offer these classes or contact 211 and ask about homebuyer education programs.
If you recently experienced a disaster and need immediate assistance:
- Call 911 for immediate medical attention.
- Find a shelter if you have evacuated because of a disaster and need to shelter outside of the hazard area. Search online using the American Red Cross Shelter Finder for help with locating open shelters near you.
If you recently experienced a disaster and need immediate assistance:
- Call 911 for immediate medical attention.
- Find a shelter if you have evacuated because of a disaster and need to shelter outside of the hazard area. Search online using the American Red Cross Shelter Finder for help with locating open shelters near you.
- Weatherizing your home can both reduce energy costs and improve the health and comfort of residents. Weatherization costs can be expensive, but programs are available to help.
- Weatherization Assistance Programs, administered by the US Department of Energy, provide home weatherization services for income-eligible households living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and meet other criteria.
- The family may rent or own their home, but renters must obtain landlord permission.
- Weatherization provides an energy audit of your home and then may provide minor home repairs.
- Community Action Partnership Huntsville/Madison & Limestone Counties | Contact Us at 256-851-9800. Community Action Partnership (CAPHMLC) provides the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) which assists eligible households with utility deposits and/or utility payments. Funds are paid directly to utility companies and vendors. Assistance may be received up to four times per year based on eligibility requirements. They also provide rental or mortgage assistance for eligible individuals and families in an effort to prevent eviction or foreclosure. (caa-htsval.org)
- Community Action Partnership of North Alabama - https://capna.org/
- Find your local office here.
- If a member of your household had their work or schooling moved to an online format but cannot afford home internet access, the following providers offer affordable options:
- Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program that will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
- Access from AT&T is a low-cost home internet package for qualifying individuals and households.
- Comcast Internet Essentials is a similarly priced package for qualifying individuals and households. Due to COVID-19, it is currently available for free for the first two months.
- Mediacom Connect 2 Compete offers internet access to students at a reduced rate.
- Verizon Lifeline provides reduced-fee internet services at a 3-tier level for low-income customers.
- EveryoneOn, through partnerships with local internet service providers, is able to offer free on reduced home internet service in 48 states and the District of Columbia.
- If you have an existing provider, they may be making special accommodations in response to the pandemic. Visit their website or contact them via phone for more information.
Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. It helps low-income individuals and families get discounted landline or cell phone service. Some people also qualify for a free phone.
Lifeline can also provide internet service discounts for low-income households. Individuals can apply for either a phone or internet discount, but not both.
Food Resources & Programs
In the United States, 41 million people are food insecure. If you need help paying for or finding charitable food, you are not alone. To locate a nearby food bank, food pantry, or other food assistance, use Feeding America's online search tool. Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 or (1-877-842-6273 for Spanish). Information is available in English and Spanish. The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time.
- SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
- To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits..
- Learn more here and to check eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.
- Already a SNAP recipient? Fresh EBT is a free smart phone app available to check your SNAP balance and purchase history. Fresh EBT also includes a COVID response help center with information about changes to government benefits programs and connections to local organizations and resources. Learn more or download Fresh EBT at www.freshebt.com.
- WIC is a federal financial assistance program offered through state governments to assist low-income households in purchasing essential food and supplies for pregnant women, infants, and young children.
- WIC benefits can be used to purchase infant food and formula as well as nutritional foods like eggs, milk, cereal, peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Households enrolled in WIC can access health screenings, breastfeeding counseling, and immunization referrals. Find your state agency for information on applying here. There is no immigration status restriction or requirement for WIC in most states.
Kids from qualified, low-income households can get healthy meals or milk. There are two national programs that provide free or reduced-price meals at school. Both programs require you to apply through your child's school or school district:
Other Child Nutrition Programs provide free healthy meals and snacks to kids while they're out of school. If your child is out of school, you can call 211 to see where there are meal sites in your area.
- The National School Lunch Program
- The School Breakfast Program
Other Child Nutrition Programs provide free healthy meals and snacks to kids while they're out of school. If your child is out of school, you can call 211 to see where there are meal sites in your area.
More than 5.3 million seniors in the United States are food insecure. Most states offer two federally-sponsored programs to help seniors access affordable, nutritious food.
- Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: Provides coupons for fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. Use them at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community farms.
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Provides a monthly package of healthy food
Feeding and taking care of all members of our families can be financially stressful:
- 17% of pet parents, regardless of income, have shared their human food with their animals to ensure they have a meal.
- 12% said they’d visited a food pantry for pet supplies.
- 59% reported that they’d prioritize their pets’ medical expenses over their own.
- The Pet Help Finder locator enables all to find financially friendly veterinary care, pet food and supplies, temporary pet housing, grooming, and behavior and other resources such as transportation help—to support the pet family. The locator brings together private practices, non-profit organizations, funders, veterinary center chains, voucher programs and others under one supportive platform. Pet Help Finder lists many non-profit organizations that offer free services as well.
Health & Wellness Resources
It can be overwhelming to navigate the healthcare system, especially when bills start piling up. Whether you need help paying for a prescription, an emergency room visit, finding transportation to get to a doctor's appointment, or finding low-cost mental health care, you are not alone. If you or a loved one is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911.
- The best way to afford critical medical treatment, preventive care, and prescriptions is to ensure you and your loved ones are enrolled in health insurance.
- If you do not have the option to enroll in health insurance through your employer, the government offers a marketplace of affordable plans. You can explore all of your options here. On the same website, you can also determine if you qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provide free or low-cost health insurance.
- Millions of children and teens qualify for free or low-cost health and dental coverage through Medicaid & the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Learn about coverage options for your family or review enrollment information for Children’s Health Insurance: Get Kids Covered in Medicaid or CHIP here.
- You can enroll in or change plans due to the COVID-19 emergency through August 15, or see if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. Enrollment information for adults during the ACA Special Enrollment Period through August 15 AND regular Open Enrollment Nov 1 – Jan 30, 2022 can be found here.
- If you recently lost health coverage as a result of job loss, death, divorce, or other qualifying life events, you may be able to take advantage of COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). This program gives workers and their families the ability to continue their group health benefits for a limited time while alternatives are found. For more information, click here.
- Even with health insurance, many struggle to pay for the medication prescribed by a health care professional.
- Download a free SingleCare Prescriptions Savings Card
- and present it to your pharmacist when picking up your next prescription. This savings card is available to anyone, regardless of health insurance, and can help you save on any prescribed medication. You can use the search on the SingleCare website to find out more about how much you may save on your medication.
- RxAssist is a nationally recognized, web-based medication assistance resource center. Established in 1999 with funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, RxAssist gives providers, advocates, consumer and caregivers comprehensive, up-to-date information in an easy-to-use format. Search the RxAssist database to locate prescription savings for brand name and generic drugs.
- Even if you have health insurance, many plans do not provide sufficient coverage for areas like mental health or substance use treatment. Contact 211 to learn about low-cost or free services in your area.
- Search for a nearby Health Center that provides medical options on a sliding scale according to your ability to pay using this link. Health Centers offer a variety of services including medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health care.
- If you are looking for substance use or other mental health services, you can use the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) online search tool. After searching by location, click "More Information" about a particular site and scroll to the Payment Information section to see which insurance is accepted and whether the provider offers payment assistance.
- Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is another resource to help find lower-cost mental health and counseling options available in your local community and online.
Treatment for mental health or substance use disorders may not be sufficiently covered by your insurance provider. If you have questions about what is and is not covered, or what is required by law, start with this resource.
- If you are looking for substance use or other mental health services, you can use the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) online search tool. They have a free, confidential online behavioral health treatment services locator. After searching by location, click "More Information" about a particular site and scroll to the Payment Information section to see which insurance is accepted and whether the provider offers payment assistance.
- Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is another resource to help find lower-cost mental health and counseling options available in your local community and online.
Mental health resources, such as therapies, medications, and rehabilitative services are available to you if you need them.
- Mental Health America offers an online resource to help you identify the right treatment plan for your situation.
- WellStone treats children, adolescents and adults who face mental illness, substance abuse and a broad range of obstacles to health and well-being. Call 256-533-1970
- Family Services Center (FSC) provides an array of anti-poverty and family strengthening programs in the greater Huntsville area, including mental health counseling, affordable housing, homelessness prevention, behavior modification education, conflict resolution, financial literacy training, substance abuse education, and parenting support.
If you are looking for more information about a specific mental health condition or diagnosis, a helpful guide is available from the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) here.
Children and teens are also at risk of mental health crises and illnesses. For a young person with symptoms of a mental disorder, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be. Early treatment can help prevent more severe, lasting problems as a child grows up.
- If you are concerned about a child or teen, a good starting point is the National Institute of Mental Health's page for Child and Adolescent Health and MentalHealth.gov's page for Parents and Caregivers, which include symptoms and indicators of potential mental health issues.
- It can be difficult to support your child's mental health when you are struggling yourself. HealthyChildren.org offers some tips for how to care for yourself and the young people in your life during challenging times.
- Consider bringing suicide prevention and mental health awareness training to your child's school.
WellStone treats children, adolescents and adults who face mental illness, substance abuse and a broad range of obstacles to health and well-being. Call 256-533-1970
Remember, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and other hotlines included at the beginning of this page are available for people of any age and can be helpful to parents or caregivers worried about a child.
- Any reliance on a substance like alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs can be problematic. Whether you are worried about yourself or a loved one, there are many online tools and resources to help you determine whether you should seek help.
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offers an online screening tool to assess drinking habits as well as many resources to help you navigate treatment and talk to loved ones.
- For a basic overview of what constitutes an addiction and what signs and symptoms to look for, start with the Mayo Clinic's overview of substance use disorders here.
- The Poison Control Centers provide information and assistance related to prescribed medications and other substances that may cause medical problems if misused. Use their Pill Identifier tool if you have or find a pill and don't know what it is, or if you have questions about something you were prescribed.
- If you struggle with addiction or a substance use disorder, there are many available treatment facilities in the United States. Your local 211 can help you discover resources and clinics in your area. You can also explore the below online platforms.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has an online treatment services locator. You can enter your location securely and anonymously to identify what help exists nearby.
- FindTreatment.gov similarly helps you pinpoint relevant resources. It also hosts information on understanding addiction, your treatment options, and treatment payment plans.
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) provides an Alcohol Treatment Navigator. It presents information on different treatments, costs, insurance, and important questions to ask providers. There are also resources for special circumstances like adolescent treatments.
- AddictionGuide.com provides recovery resources specific to the substance you struggle with. Their site also includes addiction forums, blogs and publications, and helpful recovery apps.
- If cost is a barrier against pursuing treatment, please refer to the Healthcare Expenses sections for more resources or contact 211 and ask about sliding scale or low-cost treatment options in your community.
Supportive friends and family members are invaluable when it comes to a successful rehabilitation journey. If you are having difficulty identifying the best ways to support your loved one, the below resources may help.
- Resources for parents are available from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, including facts about the impact of drugs on childhood development and tips for talking to a child about drugs and alcohol.
- The Recovery Village provides resources for friends and family seeking strategies of support. They also provide signs of addiction to watch out for and tips for showing empathy without enabling.
- DrugFree.org teaches readers how to approach difficult conversations about addiction and seeking help. It also gives a key list of Do’s and Don’ts for engaging with a struggling loved one.
- The road to recovery can be winding and long. In order to prevent relapse, it is crucial to surround yourself with support and accountability partners—whether in-person or digital. Your local 211 is available 24/7 to provide encouragement and connect you with local resources like support groups and counseling.
- You may also consider the following digital tools:
- I Am Sober is a free application available for Android and iPhone. It allows you to celebrate milestones, make personal goals, and join a community of other people pursuing new, healthy habits. It can also help you prepare for common withdrawal symptoms.
- SoberTool is free in the App Store and Google Play. It was created by a Harvard-educated addiction counselor and gives users daily motivation, craving-avoidance tools, and a chat forum.
- BetterHelp is an online counseling application that grants access to over 3,000 mental health specialists. You can receive basic counseling, advice, and support absolutely free, or pay for more in-depth assistance. You can take the line and commute out of counseling.
The Pet Help Finder locator enables all to find financially friendly veterinary care, pet food and supplies, temporary pet housing, grooming, and behavior and other resources such as transportation help—to support the pet family. The locator brings together private practices, non-profit organizations, funders, veterinary center chains, voucher programs and others under one supportive platform. Pet Help Finder lists many non-profit organizations that offer free services as well.
Education & Employment Resources
Projection equipment: slide projectors, presentations, overhead projectors, and computer projectors.
The Alabama Virtual Library provides all students, teachers, and citizens of the State of Alabama with online access to essential library and information resources. It is primarily a group of online databases that have magazine, journal, and newspaper articles for research. Through the AVL, an equitable core of information sources is available to every student and citizen in Alabama, raising the level of excellence in schools and communities across the state.
- Most Alabama users are not required to have an AVL account to access AVL resources. AVL uses geolocation technology to help determine if a user's device (such as a cell phone or an Internet-connected computer) is located in Alabama. If the device is recognized as being in the state, then the user is automatically logged in to use AVL resources.
- Some users may not be automatically geo-authenticated when they access AVL. These users will need an AVL account (username and password) in order to access AVL resources. If you find that you are not automatically able to access AVL, please contact the library at askus@hmcpl.org to create a username and password.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form completed by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid.
- request a Direct PLUS Loan;
- change the amount of a Direct PLUS Loan you previously requested;
- authorize how the school may use your Direct PLUS Loan funds to pay for educational expenses;
- designate who the school pays any credit balance to; and
- request deferment of repayment while the student is in school and for up to 6 months after.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU CONTINUE:
- A credit check is conducted on all Direct PLUS Loan applicants.
- If you have placed a security freeze on your credit file, you must lift or remove the freeze at each credit bureau before you continue. Your application will not be processed if you have a security freeze on your credit file.
- To qualify for a Direct PLUS Loan, you must not have an adverse credit history. If the credit check shows that you have an adverse credit history, we will explain how you may still be able to qualify for a Direct PLUS loan.
- You must also complete a Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (Direct PLUS Loan MPN) before you can receive Direct PLUS Loan funds.
- The Direct PLUS Loan MPN explains all of the terms and conditions of Direct PLUS Loans and is your legally binding agreement to repay all Direct PLUS Loans you receive under the Direct PLUS Loan MPN.
- If you have not previously completed a Direct PLUS Loan MPN, you will have an opportunity to do so after you complete this Direct PLUS Loan application.
- For many Americans, managing their student loan debt is stressful and expensive. This student loan savings calculator can help you better understand your debt, optimize your repayment options, and enroll in the best plan for your financial situation. The goal is to help you enroll in government programs that can lower your monthly payments and potentially forgive your debt. The average Savi user reduces their loan payment by $156 per month, with some users paying as low as $0 per month.
- To show appreciation to grocery workers for their contributions during COVID-19 and for helping our communities every day by ensuring people have access to food and essential supplies and providing extra assistance when needed, Kendall-Jackson partnered with United Way Worldwide, pledging $2 million through August 2030, to create the Grocery Worker’s Appreciation Fund.
- The fund, administered by United Way Worldwide, aims to help eligible grocery workers in need of financial assistance, with life’s surprises and urgent needs, like health care expenses or automotive repairs. The fund will also connect grocery workers with local resources through 211. If you are in need of assistance, click here to apply.
- Whatever your goal, Learning Express Library's resources will help you succeed. Each of the Learning Centers offers practice tests, exercises, skill-building courses, and information you need to achieve the results you want—at school, at work, or in life. To have complete access, set up an account with Learning Express on their main page while at any library location. This resource is provided by the Alabama Public Library Service. Click here to access: Welcome to LearningExpress Library™ (learningexpresshub.com)
- Village of Promise's Next Steps program provides instruction and coursework for non-high school degreed adults preparing to take the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) exam, English as Second Language, Adult Literacy, and Work Force Development.
- GotResumeBuilder is a resume building site and app that is free for libraries. Writing a strong resume is as easy as 1-2-3!
- Build your resume with the step-by-step writing guide.
- Choose from customized design templates and fonts.
- Download format options include PDF, DOC, and email.
- Other features include sample resumes, resume tutorials, and online resume hosting.
- Visit GotResumeBuilder.com and create a new account using the link above.
In partnership with DMV Permit Test, HMCPL is providing a free, online resource with unlimited access to high quality online driver education resources covering Alabama law and regulations. The resource includes automobile permit practice tests, motorcycle practice tests, driver handbooks as well as other helpful information.
