2-1-1

Frequently asked 2-1-1 questions

What is 2-1-1?

Dial 2-1-1 for free, 24-hour social, health and disaster services information. 2-1-1 is a one-stop source of information for people looking for community services and resources, especially for those who need essential services, such as food, shelter, counseling, employment assistance, and more. 2-1-1 is confidential and available in more than 200 languages and dialects.

Like 9-1-1 for emergency services, 2-1-1 has been set aside nationally by the Federal Communications Commission for the public to more easily access community information. 2-1-1 is also a central resource for community information during and in recovery from disasters.

There are more than 1,600 programs and services in the Sacramento 2-1-1 database.

Who can call 2-1-1?

• 2-1-1 Sacramento is for everyone:
• Families seeking services for their children
• Seniors seeking information about financial scams
• Employers seeking support resources for their employees
• Laid-off workers struggling to feed their families
• Disaster victims seeking loved ones, housing, food, counseling
• Teachers, clergy, and agency staff seeking help for their clients

What if there are issues reaching 2-1-1?

Please be advised that you (or the individual attempting to make this call) should use the 2-1-1 toll-free line 916-498-1000, still pressing #8 then #2.

Who answers 2-1-1 calls?

2-1-1 calls are answered by an Information and Referral Specialist. Specialists are trained in navigating the maze of human service agencies and programs. Non-English speaking callers are assisted by a bilingual specialist or seamlessly through a telephone interpreting service with access to interpreters in more than 200 languages and dialects. 2-1-1 also provides application assistance for CalFresh benefits over the phone.

Do you have other questions?

Find out more about 2-1-1 here.