Immediate safety: choose a safe help route
Clear contacts for emotional crisis, domestic violence, victim support, emergency shelter and adult abuse, with digital safety limits.
Practical options and next steps
This button opens the National Weather Service website. It does not erase browsing history, downloads or activity monitoring. If someone monitors your device, use a safer device when possible.
Choose the kind of help you need. You can ask for support without completing a checklist. If someone monitors your phone or computer, consider a device they cannot access when it is safe to do so.
Start with this
Choose one contact above if help is urgent. Otherwise choose the section that matches your situation.
Who this helps
People needing immediate support, and someone helping a friend, relative or dependent adult.
Where this guidance applies
National contacts lead to different services. Shelter capacity, adult-protection rules and victim compensation vary locally. A translated guide does not guarantee that an outside chat service offers every language.
What to prepare
- Only if safe: a short description of what you need now.
- Your location or service area if needed to find local help; do not post it here.
- Whether it is safe to call back, leave a message or send a text.
Steps to take
- Match the urgent need Use 911 for immediate danger, 988 for emotional crisis, and the Hotline for domestic violence support.
- Agree a safe contact method Tell the helper if someone can see your device, messages or account. Ask what information they need and why.
- Confirm the next place or step Before travelling, confirm that the service can receive you and can meet the access needs you describe.
Find immediate emotional support
Call or text 988 for emotional crisis support. You can describe what feels difficult now without preparing a benefits application or a diagnosis.
What to prepare
- No paperwork checklist comes first. If safe, think about where you are and whether a callback is safe.
Steps to take
- For Spanish, call 988 and press 2 or text AYUDA to 988.
- For Chinese or another language, call and name the language you need; interpretation is provided by voice, not promised through text or chat.
What to check before relying on this: A crisis conversation does not book ongoing therapy. Do not assume complete anonymity on a monitored device.
If that route does not work: For immediate physical danger or a medical emergency, call 911. Ask the crisis helper about a suitable next source of support.
Official and service sources: 988: language access · 988: what to expect · OVC: help for crime victims · Hotline: internet safety
Continue with a related guide: Plan ongoing mental health support
Contact domestic violence support safely
When safe, call 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use the National Domestic Violence Hotline website to reach support.
What to prepare
- You do not need to collect proof before asking an advocate about options. Decide whether messages or calls could be seen by someone else.
Steps to take
- Tell the advocate what contact method is safe and whether you need language assistance.
- Ask about a personalized safety plan and local services; confirm details before travelling to a provider.
What to check before relying on this: The Hotline does not directly provide cash, hotel vouchers or transport vouchers. A referral does not guarantee a shelter opening.
If that route does not work: If the line is busy, use the official local-provider search or another safe contact channel. Call 911 for immediate danger.
Official and service sources: National Domestic Violence Hotline · Hotline: internet safety · OVC: help for crime victims
Continue with a related guide: Find civil legal help
Help for crime victims and their families
Use the Office for Victims of Crime state map to find victim assistance and compensation contacts for the place connected to the crime.
What to prepare
- Keep any existing case reference, notices and receipts for related expenses in a safe place; ask which records the program needs.
Steps to take
- Ask first for an advocate who can explain support options and safe ways to contact you.
- For money-related help, ask the compensation administrator about covered costs, reporting conditions and the filing deadline.
What to check before relying on this: Victim services and compensation are different programs. The directory does not establish eligibility or guarantee payment or legal representation.
If that route does not work: If one provider cannot help, ask the state assistance contact for another provider that serves your location and situation.
Official and service sources: OVC: state victim assistance and compensation · OVC: help for crime victims
Continue with a related guide: Find a legal aid provider
Find somewhere safe to stay
Use USAGov’s emergency housing routes to find local homeless services. In most US areas, 211 can help identify nearby shelter contacts.
What to prepare
- Be ready to explain your location, who needs shelter and accessibility or other essential needs. Ask about documents rather than assuming you cannot enter without them.
Steps to take
- Confirm whether intake is open now and whether the service can receive everyone in your household.
- Ask how to reach the location safely and whether another assessment is needed first.
What to check before relying on this: A housing directory or waiting list is not a booking. Domestic violence may require a different, confidential shelter route.
If that route does not work: If there is no space, ask the local service for another open option; for domestic violence, contact the Hotline safely.
Official and service sources: USAGov: emergency housing · National Domestic Violence Hotline
Continue with a related guide: Help with rent and utilities
Ask for help with elder or dependent-adult abuse
For immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise use the Department of Justice elder-justice page to reach state Adult Protective Services or the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.
What to prepare
- If safe, note the person’s location and the specific concern, such as unmet care, threats or financial exploitation. Do not confront someone to collect evidence.
Steps to take
- Ask which agency covers the person’s age, disability situation and setting, including a care facility when relevant.
- Ask how to report safely and what happens after a report.
What to check before relying on this: APS definitions and reporting procedures vary. A national locator does not itself investigate every report or provide emergency response.
If that route does not work: If the first agency is not responsible, ask it to identify the correct state or local protection service.
Official and service sources: DOJ: report elder abuse and find help
Continue with a related guide: Find civil legal help
What quick exit can and cannot do
The quick-exit button changes the visible page to weather.gov. Use it only as a way to leave this screen quickly, not as proof that your visit is hidden.
What to prepare
- No document is needed. Consider who can access the device, browser account, downloaded files or phone records.
Steps to take
- If possible and safe, use a device and account that the person monitoring you cannot access.
- Before saving or printing this guide, consider whether the file or paper could be found.
What to check before relying on this: Quick exit does not erase history or downloads, end monitoring or guarantee anonymity. Private browsing also has limits.
If that route does not work: A domestic violence advocate can help discuss digital safety using a contact method that is safer for you.
Official and service sources: Hotline: internet safety · National Weather Service: exit destination · National Domestic Violence Hotline
Continue with a related guide: Plan ongoing mental health support
Words you can use when asking for help
I need help with ___. Is it safe to share details here? Please use only this contact method: ___. I need help in ___.
Prepare my next task
Your choices stay in this open page. They are not sent to us or saved in this browser. Closing or reloading the page clears them. A downloaded file remains on your device; only download it where you can keep it private.
The guides and source links work without JavaScript. You can print the page and mark the steps on paper. The interactive checklist needs JavaScript.
Follow up
- Ask the helper what to do if the suggested route is closed or full.
- Keep contact information only in a place that is safe for you; saving or printing may leave traces.
Common questions
Do I need documents before asking for help?
Do not delay an emergency call to gather paperwork. For a later appointment, ask the specific service what it needs and what alternatives it accepts.
Does quick exit hide my visit?
No. It changes the visible page to weather.gov. It does not erase browsing history or downloads, stop monitoring, or guarantee anonymity.
Official and service sources
These sections explain access using the sources below. They do not confirm that a provider has openings, that you qualify, or that a professional has reviewed your case. Professional language and reader review of this edition remain pending.