PSA: Philly’s 2-1-1 hotline has a texting option now

“Around the Corner” is a PhillyCAM show that offers local social impact leaders the opportunity to share what impact their work is having on the Philadelphia area. 

Have you ever had a housing crisis or needed temporary financial aid but didn’t know how to receive assistance?

Consider 2-1-1 SEPA, the local chapter of United Way’s free, confidential health and human services hotline that helps people experiencing crises within Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Some of the issues 2-1-1 covers:

• Senior services
• Domestic violence
• Youth programs
• Food shortages
• Housing and shelter
• Temporary financial services

2-1-1 SEPA has two trained professionals who “try to target the top couple of needs [callers have and try] not to overwhelm people with all kinds of referrals,” said Meg Finley, 2-1-1’s manager of health and community stability.  “But depending on what the most urgent needs are we would try to direct them to the right services.”

Not into talking with a human about your problems? Philadelphians can now access help by texting their ZIP code to 898-211 to receive the same assistance as calling 2-1-1.

Learn more about 2-1-1 SEPA in Finley’s “Around the Corner” interview below.

PhillyCAM is Comcast channel 66/966 HD/967 and Verizon FIOS channel 29/30 in Philadelphia.