Need Help? Start Here.

Support Is Just a Call, Click, or Conversation Away.

Life doesn’t always go as planned. A missed paycheck. A health emergency. A broken furnace. Suddenly, everything feels like too much. But you don’t have to navigate it alone.

At Heart of West Michigan United Way, we connect people to the support they need — when they need it most. Whether you’re facing an urgent crisis or trying to take the next step toward stability, we’re here to help.

Call 211 Anytime

Our 211 helpline is a free, 24/7, confidential helpline that connects you to local services across West Michigan. Our trained specialists listen and help you find:

  • Housing and shelter

  • Food and meal programs

  • Utility and energy assistance

  • Mental health and crisis services

  • Healthcare and prescriptions

  • Childcare and parenting support

  • Transportation

  • Employment resources

  • and much more.

DIAL 2-1-1

Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-887-1107 to get connected to resources in your community. Available 24/7. 365 days a year.

LIVE CHAT

Chat online with a trained Community Resource Specialist.
Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

EMAIL

Email 2-1-1 to learn about helpful services in your area.
Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

TEXT

Text your zip code to 898211. Standard message and data rates may apply. Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Need Help Filing Taxes?

Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax prep to individuals and families with household incomes under $60,000.

We’ll help you:

> Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
> Maximize your refund
> File safely and securely

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • Cybercrime and online fraud can happen to anyone; it's important to know where to turn if it happens to you. Visit fightcybercrime.org for help and resources.

  • Get connected to early childhood resources, programs, and services across Michigan. Find services in your county.

  • Apply for Benefits, Manage Your Case, and Explore Resources. Apply here.

  • MySmartMoney offers free financial planning tools online, from partners you can trust – United Way and The SunTrust Foundation. Explore the tools here.

  • Search the Michigan 2-1-1 database for more than 27,000 statewide programs. View the statewide directory.

  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

    Lifeline Chat is a service of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, connecting individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat. All chat centers in the Lifeline network are accredited by CONTACT USA. Lifeline Chat is available 24/7 across the U.S.

  • Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) through MIBridges. Qualifying through SER will allow someone to access the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). People who would like to fill out a paper copy can print one here or go to the MDHHS office at 121 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 to fill one out.

    If qualified through MDHHS, other supplemental resources may be available. Agencies that provide this assistance include Kent County Community Action, The Salvation Army, North Kent Connect, True North, Kent County Veteran Services, and Senior Neighbors. 

    Enroll in an Affordable Payment Plans through Consumers (Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy, or CARE) and DTE (Low Income Self Sufficiency Program, or LSP). Both require applying for SER first.

Need Help Navigating Services?

Sometimes, it’s hard to know what you need. That’s okay.

Just call 2-1-1 and we’ll help you figure it out, step by step.

You’re Not Alone. We’re Here.

Whether it’s a crisis or just a hard season, support is closer than you think. Let us help you take the next step toward stability, dignity, and hope.

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