Module 3 · Crisis Hub
Help, right now.
Emergency frameworks for housing, food, utilities and medical bills. If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.
Talk to someone now — free, 24/7
Crisis Text Line
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Somewhere else? Find help near you
RealWay AI can look up rent, food, utility and shelter help closest to you. Type your city or ZIP, or tap "Use my location" — it's only used to find your city, and only if you allow it.
Local help
Hennepin County & Minnesota
Live in or near Minneapolis? These are the direct numbers. In Houston? Scroll down. Somewhere else? Dial 211 or ask RealWay AI for your area.
Mental health crisis — Cope (24/7, all ages)
A mobile crisis team can come to you, or talk by phone or video. Interpreters available.
612-596-1223Walk-in behavioral health (18+)
Walk in, no appointment. Open daily 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
612-879-3115Emergency money help (shelter, utility shut-off, deposits)
For a crisis that threatens your health or safety. Food, cash and health care benefits: 612-596-1300 (Mon–Fri, 9–4), or apply at MNbenefits.
Energy Assistance (heat & electric bills)
Help paying heating bills and stopping disconnections. Homeowners may get furnace repair. Mon–Fri, 8–4.
952-930-3541Minnesota Food Helpline
Find food shelves and get help applying for SNAP. Call or text, Mon–Fri 10–5. Spanish, Somali and Hmong spoken.
Local help
Houston, Harris County & Texas
Live in or near Houston? These are the direct numbers. Most offer help in Spanish.
Mental health crisis — The Harris Center (24/7)
Talk to a counselor any time, day or night. They can send a mobile crisis team in Harris County.
211 Texas / United Way Helpline
Rent help, shelters, bills, food, and more anywhere in Texas. Free and confidential.
Facing eviction? Free lawyer — Lone Star Legal Aid
If you have an eviction court date in Harris County and qualify by income, they try to give you a free lawyer in court. Don't wait: call or text APPLY. Get to court 30 minutes early.
Electric & gas bill help — BakerRipley
Help paying electric, gas or propane bills for lower-income homes in Harris, Brazoria and Galveston counties (not water). Applications open in rounds and fill up fast, so call to ask when the next one opens.
713-590-2327Food — Houston Food Bank
Find free food near you. Call the pantry first to check hours. SNAP, Medicaid and cash help (TANF): apply at YourTexasBenefits.com or call 211 and press 2.
Hospital bills — Harris Health Financial Assistance
Lower-cost care at Harris Health for Harris County residents with household income up to 150% of the poverty level. It's free to apply. Never pay anyone to "help" you apply.
713-566-6509Domestic violence — Houston Area Women's Center (24/7)
Safety planning and emergency shelter, in English and Spanish. Free, for anyone.
713-528-2121Texas power shut-off rule (cold weather)
Texas electric companies can't cut your power for not paying when it's freezing: the day before stayed at or below 32°F and the next 24 hours are forecast to stay there too. You still owe the bill, so ask for a payment plan.
Housing
Rent & eviction help
Act fast — the earlier you ask, the more options you have. Never ignore court papers.
- 1
Dial 211
Free, confidential referrals to local emergency rent help, shelters and legal aid. 211 connects you; each program sets its own rules. - 2
Contact your Community Action Agency
Local agencies often run emergency rent, deposit and utility programs. Find yours. - 3
Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor
Free, independent advice on eviction, foreclosure and budgeting. Call to find an agency near you. - 4
Got an eviction notice? Get legal help
Show up to every court date. Find free legal aid at LawHelp.org.
Food security
Food — today and every month
SNAP (EBT food benefits)
Monthly money on an EBT card for groceries. Your state reviews income, household size and other rules. Many states let you apply online; expedited benefits can arrive within 7 days for households in urgent need.
Food banks & pantries
Food banks point you to nearby pantries and free meal sites. Some pantries ask for your ZIP code or ID; many don't.
Community fridges
Free, take-what-you-need fridges run by neighbors — no forms, no questions. Availability varies by city.
USDA National Hunger Hotline
Connects you with food programs near you. Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Eastern.
Keep the lights on
Utility lifelines
LIHEAP — energy assistance
Federal help with heating/cooling bills and energy emergencies, run by each state. Income limits are set by the state — usually up to 150% of the poverty level or 60% of state median income.
Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Minnesota's LIHEAP program: grants toward energy bills plus crisis help, for renters and homeowners. Income limit is 50% of state median income (limits update each year).
Xcel Energy PowerOn & Gas Affordability Program (Minnesota)
For Minnesota residential Xcel customers who receive Energy Assistance (EAP/LIHEAP): an income-based monthly payment or bill discount, plus partial forgiveness of past-due balances when you make your payments. You must accept a levelized payment plan. Funding is limited — first come, first served.
Applications are processed by Energy CENTS Coalition.
Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (Oct 1 – Apr 30)
Your heat-affecting electric or gas service can't be shut off during these months if you set up and keep a payment plan with your utility. It's not automatic forgiveness. Delivered fuels (propane, oil, wood) aren't covered.
Weatherization Assistance (free upgrades)
Free insulation, air sealing and furnace work that lowers bills for good. Generally for households at or below 200% of poverty (or your state's limit).
Script: ask for a deferred payment agreement
Hi, my name is [NAME] and my account number is [ACCOUNT #]. I'm calling because I can't pay my full balance of $[AMOUNT] right now, and I want to avoid a disconnection. I'd like to set up a payment agreement. I can pay $[AMOUNT YOU CAN AFFORD] today and $[MONTHLY AMOUNT] per month on top of my current bill. I'm also applying for energy assistance (LIHEAP / Energy Assistance Program). Can you put a hold on any disconnection while my application is processed? [MINNESOTA, OCT 1–APR 30] I'm requesting protection under the Cold Weather Rule and want a payment plan I can keep. Can you confirm the agreement in writing and tell me the confirmation number? Thank you.
Medical bill relief
Hospital charity care
Most U.S. hospitals are nonprofits — and federal law requires them to offer financial assistance.
- 1
Ask for the Financial Assistance Policy (FAP)
Every nonprofit hospital (IRS Section 501(r)) must have a written policy and application. Eligibility depends on that hospital's own income rules — many forgive bills fully or partly for low and middle incomes. - 2
Apply — even after you've been billed
You generally have at least 240 days from the first bill after discharge to apply. Hospitals must wait at least 120 days and give notice before 'extraordinary' collection actions like credit reporting or lawsuits. - 3
Request an itemized bill
Check for duplicate charges and errors before you pay anything. - 4
Minnesota extra protection
MN hospitals must screen uninsured patients (or those with unknown coverage) for charity care and public coverage. MN Statute 144.587.
Letter: request financial assistance
[Your name] [Address] · [Phone] · [Email] [Date] [Hospital name] — Financial Assistance / Patient Financial Services [Hospital address] RE: Request for Financial Assistance — Account # [ACCOUNT #], Date(s) of service [DATES] To whom it may concern, I am writing to apply for financial assistance (charity care) for the balance on the account above. My household of [#] people has a total annual income of about $[INCOME], and I am unable to pay this bill. Please: 1. Send me your Financial Assistance Policy (FAP), plain-language summary, and application, or confirm you have received this as my request to apply. 2. Send me a fully itemized bill for these services. 3. Place my account on hold and do not send it to collections or report it to credit bureaus while my application is being reviewed. 4. Apply any approved discount retroactively, and refund any amount I have paid above what I owe under your policy. I understand nonprofit hospitals are required by federal law (Internal Revenue Code Section 501(r)) to have a written financial assistance policy and to make reasonable efforts to determine eligibility before taking extraordinary collection actions. Please respond in writing within 30 days. Thank you. Sincerely, [Signature] [Printed name]
Good to know
This letter requests help — it can't force a hospital to erase a bill. Approval depends on the hospital's policy and your income. Keep copies of everything you send.
More free help lines
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referrals for mental health and substance use, 24/7, English & Spanish.
NFCC nonprofit credit counseling
Connects you with a nonprofit counselor for debt, budgets and creditors. Fees vary by agency.
RealWay is for education only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Program rules, limits, and prices change — always confirm with the official source before you apply. Last checked October 2026.