Questions people ask
Where can I get free food in Jefferson County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Jefferson County: Angels on Assignment in Mount Vernon (Friday, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM), (618) 242-1108, call first; Park Avenue Baptist Church in Mount Vernon (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM), (618) 242-5068, call first. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get housing help in Jefferson County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Jefferson County: Housing Authority of Jefferson County in Mount Vernon, (618) 244-5910, call first; Housing Authority of Mt. Vernon in Mount Vernon, (618) 244-6275, call first. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I find a free or low-cost clinic in Jefferson County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Jefferson County: MT Vernon Community HLTH Center in Mount Vernon, (618) 244-6544, call first; Mt. Vernon Health & Wellness Center in Mount Vernon, (618) 242-4848, call first. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Jefferson County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Jefferson County: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), 988; SAMHSA National Helpline (Open 24 hours a day, every day), (800) 662-4357. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with veterans benefits in Jefferson County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Jefferson County: Veterans Crisis Line (Open 24 hours a day, every day), 988; VA national phone lines (Benefits line, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern), (800) 827-1000. A veteran in crisis can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
Where can I get free legal help in Jefferson County, Illinois?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Jefferson County: Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, (877) 342-7891. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Is HelpByState free to use?
Yes. There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to pay. Every listing is free, and so is adding or correcting one.
Why do some listings say call first?
Church and community pantries often change days, move, or close for a holiday. When the sources we checked disagree, or an organization does not publish its hours, we say so instead of guessing. A quick call saves a trip.
I run a pantry or a program. How do I get listed or fix our hours?
Use the Add a listing or Suggest an update form. We confirm it against your own page or contact you, then change the listing. It is free.
Is this the same as 2-1-1?
No. 2-1-1 is a statewide phone line and database run by the state network. HelpByState is an independent, county-by-county directory that shows the date each listing was checked. If you want to talk to a person, dial 2-1-1.
Where do the hours and phone numbers come from?
From each organization's own website or page, official sources such as housing authority and WIC clinic lists, and the public Find Food map of the local food bank. We list the source on every card.