Critical Update: Emergency resources and community assistance updates are available.
View Critical Updates
Critical Update: Emergency resources and community assistance updates are available.
View Critical Updates
2-1-1 Orange County (211OC) is a key service of Orange County United Way. 211OC offers a comprehensive information and referral system linking Orange County residents to community health and human services and support.
Callers seeking assistance can dial 2-1-1 or 888-600-4357 (toll-free) 24/7 and be connected to trained Information and Referral (I&R) specialists. These specialists have access to a database with information on more than 2,000 government and nonprofit agencies representing thousands of specialized services, ranging from food and shelter to job placement and healthcare programs.
211OC also serves as a crucial public information system during local crises such as earthquakes, fires, or other natural disasters.
211OC is free and available 24/7 to every resident and visitor in Orange County.
There may come a time when you need help, but won’t know exactly what assistance is available—or how to access it. 211OC helps clarify your situation and connects you with the most appropriate resources using an extensive, up-to-date database of community services.
211OC is where you go when you don’t know where to turn for help, acting as a single point of contact to thousands of social service programs.
211OC has its roots in a prior organization known as InfoLink Orange County, which grew out of an Irvine-based group called People for Irvine Community Health, established in 1984.
In 2005, the California Public Utilities Commission designated InfoLink Orange County as the official 2-1-1 service provider for the county, and in 2006 the organization formally changed its name to 2-1-1 Orange County.
In July 2023, Orange County United Way acquired and began operating 211OC.
Yes, there is a national 211. Visit 211.org for more information. The 2-1-1 number was designated by the Federal Communications Commission for community information and referral services, and there are now more than 200 local 211 organizations nationwide.
While each local 211 organization is independently operated and funded, they follow shared national standards and regularly collaborate and share best practices.
You can contact 211OC by:
Trained specialists are available 24/7 to provide free and confidential assistance. Support is available in more than 200 languages.
A trained specialist will ask questions to better understand your situation and determine eligibility for programs and services. These may include questions about your living situation, age, gender, or income level.
Specialists listen with care, connect you with available community resources, and help identify underlying needs—not just the issue that prompted your call, text, or email.
Yes. Calls, texts, and online chats are private and handled by trained specialists who follow strict confidentiality guidelines.
Key privacy practices include:
If you have privacy concerns, you can ask a specialist how your information will be handled before sharing details.
Some phone systems or providers may not fully support 2-1-1 dialing access.
If you cannot connect:
Payphones and some smaller mobile carriers may also have limited support for 2-1-1 dialing.
211OC connects callers with organizations providing:
211OC does not handle life-threatening emergencies. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
211OC does not directly provide financial assistance, but it refers people to local programs and organizations that may be able to help.
Resources may include:
211OC can connect individuals and families to:
211OC can connect you to:
Call 2-1-1 or search the online resource directory to find services near you.
211OC provides information and referrals related to many urgent situations, including:
During major emergencies and disasters, 211OC may also provide updates about:
211OC serves everyone in Orange County without discrimination based on age, race, gender, income, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
Specialists are available in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese, and translation services support more than 200 additional languages.
Organizations can contact 211OC directly to request inclusion in the database by sharing information about their mission and services.
211OC also learns about programs through community partnerships and outreach. Organizations wishing to join or update their listing can visit the Service Providers page.
211OC is funded through a combination of public and private sources, including:
Yes, and donations are greatly appreciated. Tax-deductible contributions can be made through the organization’s donation page.
About
