A new chapter for Net Wish
If something has gone wrong and you need help, start here. Net Wish can no longer grant wishes directly, but we can help you find a trustworthy next step without asking you to share your story with us.
In the United States
Start with what is hardest today
You do not need to fix everything today. Pick the need closest to yours. Net Wish does not collect your ZIP code, your story or any personal information.
The act of kindness, no matter how small, makes a huge difference.
A real person can help.You do not need to know the right program or the perfect words.
Not sure where to begin?
Call 211 for confidential help, or search for housing, food, utility, healthcare and caregiver resources in your area.
Four useful doors
Most emergency help is local. These services can identify programs by ZIP code, county or state without giving your information to Net Wish.
Talk with a local resource specialist or search community programs.
Local agencies often coordinate energy, housing and emergency support.
Search free and reduced-cost local services by ZIP code.
Go to the official agency that manages benefits in your state.
Trusted starting points
We favor government services and established national nonprofits that maintain their own local information.
Find a food pantry, meal program or help applying for food benefits.
Search by ZIP for nearby food banks and their partner pantries.
Find your state office and application for monthly food benefits.
Food and nutrition support for pregnant people and young children.
Ask about food available today, including local meal programs.
Before you start: Your ZIP code and household size may help. Requirements vary by program.
Look for emergency shelter and local housing resources.
Search for shelter, housing, healthcare and clothing resources.
Get free help with eviction, homelessness or foreclosure concerns.
Find a local agency that may offer rent and emergency support.
Speak with someone about shelter, rent and eviction resources.
Before you start: Have your ZIP code and any notice or deadline nearby. Do not send documents to Net Wish.
Find programs for energy, phone and internet bills.
Official guidance for energy, phone and internet assistance.
Find the energy-assistance office serving your state or territory.
Check eligibility for a monthly phone or internet discount.
Ask what emergency utility assistance is open in your area.
Before you start: A recent bill, account-holder name and any shutoff date may be requested.
Locate lower-cost medical care and help finding coverage.
Find federally supported medical and dental care near you.
Check state health coverage for adults, children and pregnancy.
See federal guidance on health centers, dental schools and coverage.
Locate mental-health and substance-use treatment services.
Before you start: Keep your ZIP code and insurance status handy. For an emergency, call 911.
Free, confidential support is available now. You do not need to explain anything to Net Wish.
Call or text 988 for emotional distress or mental-health support.
Call 800-799-SAFE, text START to 88788 or chat with an advocate.
Call 800-656-HOPE, text HOPE to 64673 or chat confidentially.
Call or text 800-422-4453 for child-abuse guidance and support.
Before you start: No preparation is required. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Find unemployment information, job-search support and training.
Official routes to state unemployment benefits, jobs and training.
Find free local employment, résumé and training support.
Go directly to your state’s unemployment program and filing route.
Search paid apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
Before you start: Your work dates, former employer and state of employment may be useful.
Find help with child care, older adults and caregiving.
Learn about child-care assistance and programs in your state.
Connect with local services for older adults and their families.
Screen for money-saving programs for older adults and people with disabilities.
Find independent-living, advocacy and assistive-technology services.
Before you start: Your ZIP code, the person’s age and the kind of care needed can help the search.
Check government benefits, cash assistance, Social Security and free tax help.
Answer basic questions to find government benefits worth exploring.
Find your state’s temporary cash-assistance program for families.
Check possible retirement, disability, survivor, family or SSI benefits.
Find IRS-certified VITA or TCE help for qualifying taxpayers.
Before you start: Program rules differ. An official denial notice may explain appeal rights and deadlines.
Find free civil legal aid, immigration help and consumer protection.
Find free or low-cost help for housing, family, work and consumer issues.
Search by location for nonprofit civil legal-aid organizations.
Find authorized legal providers and avoid immigration-service scams.
Ask the CFPB to route a complaint about a financial product or service.
Before you start: Write down deadlines and keep relevant letters nearby. Eligibility is decided by each program.
Help for your situation
Some situations need people with the right training and programs designed for a particular community.
Housing, crisis and VA support.
Free, confidential VA support 24/7 at 877-424-3838.
Find health, disability, education, housing and family benefits.
Independent living, advocacy and benefits.
Find trusted disability organizations serving your community.
Locate your state protection and advocacy organization.
Aid, shelter and emotional support.
Check federal disaster help and apply when assistance is available.
Get crisis counseling and support after a natural or human-caused disaster.
Confidential support and a safer next step.
Free 24/7 support for youth, including a local resource directory.
Call or text 800-422-4453 for guidance about child abuse.
Confidential, trained support is available.
Call 800-656-4673, text HOPE to 64673 or chat online.
Call 888-373-7888, text 233733 or use confidential chat.
Treatment and referral services.
Search confidential treatment options by location and need.
Get treatment referrals and information at 800-662-HELP.
Pet food, emergency veterinary care and local options.
Find pet food providers and possible emergency veterinary help.
Find lower-cost veterinary care and other help near you.
Authorized legal help and scam protection.
Learn who may provide immigration advice and find authorized help.
Find free legal-service providers for immigration court matters.
Make each call count
A closed fund or one denial does not mean every route is closed. Ask for a clear next step before ending the call.
Use an organization’s official secure portal when documents are required. Keep originals and never send personal records to Net Wish.
If a benefit is denied, ask for the reason in writing, the appeal deadline and where free legal help is available.
A useful sentence
“I live in ZIP code _____. I need help with _____ before _____. What programs are accepting requests now, and what should I do next?”
If the first place cannot help, ask: “Who else should I call today?”
Stay safe while asking for help
Treat demands for gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or an upfront fee to release aid as serious warning signs.
Do not put Social Security numbers, bank information, identity documents, phone numbers or home addresses on a public page.
If someone contacts you unexpectedly, find the organization’s official website yourself and call the published number.
Internet and call history can be monitored. If someone may be watching your device, use a safer phone or computer when possible.
Since
2002The Net Wish legacy
Net Wish began as a private direct-giving project built to remove red tape and provide modest, immediate help. The scale of need, increasing fraud and the duty to protect applicants made that model impossible to continue safely. This resource is our way of keeping the door open.
The guestbook, preserved safely
The original public guestbook is no longer open because visitors sometimes shared names, contact details and sensitive personal stories, and scammers tried to reach people in need. These lightly edited, anonymous messages preserve its spirit without preserving the risk.
Real words, kept with care.
Names and identifying details removed.Thank you for being a light when people feel they are out of options.
One helping hand can restore someone’s faith in humanity.
Privacy by design
Net Wish has no application, account, donation form, advertising or public posting area.
We do not use advertising cookies or analytics to build a profile of visitors.
Links lead to independent services with their own eligibility, privacy and availability rules.