The following includes a list of community resources. While the list is not inclusive, these are the resources that are most commonly requested. If you do not see what you are searching for use the www.montana211.org link, or click the contact button on our website. Complete the form and someone will help you.
Unemployment
Montana Works has everything you need to know about filing for unemployment benefits and other related matters.
Housing
- MThousingSearch.com
1-877-428-8844
- Resources to access if you are facing eviction:
Anyone in need of rental assistance or facing eviction is encouraged to work with their landlord immediately. Work together to avoid eviction and loss of housing. If you or someone you know is facing eviction, there are two primary resources you can access.
http://www.montanafairhousing.org
https://www.montanalawhelp.org/issues/housing
The later URL is administered by Montana Legal Services. At this time, Montana Legal Services is working with the state of Montana to promote ways to help Montanans with their housing/eviction rights and legal counsel. Unlike more normal times, there are NO income limits to qualify for this service. It is NOT restricted to low-income households.
Mental Health
- The Montana Crisis Recovery hotline is funded and available for at least the next nine months. Montanans in need of crisis counseling can call 1-877-503-0833 to receive free and confidential counseling services from trained crisis counselors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- The Crisis Text Line is available 24/7 by texting MT to 741 741; the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 800-273-TALK (8255); the Warmline is available Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. at 877-688-3377; and information about Thrive by Waypoint Health, an online cognitive behavioral therapy for those actively working to manage anxiety and stress, is available at https://thriveformontana.com/.
- Montana Red Cross has launched a Virtual Family Assistance Center to support families struggling with loss and grief due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Individuals may go to redcross.org/get-help to access a support hub with special virtual programs, information, referrals and services to support families in need. People without internet access may call 833-492-0094 for help.
- National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) has this helpful Resource and Information Guide. (Updated June 2020)
Office of Public Assistance
- Self Service Portal
At the Self Service Portal one can: Apply, Check Benefits, View Notices, Report Changes or Upload Documents. If an individual does not have an account (Check My Benefit), they need only to follow the steps to set up their own account at this site.
Email
Helpline: 1-888-706-1535
Fax: 1-877-418-4533
Mail: HCSD/OPA
P O Box 202925
Helena, MT 59620
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
Montana 211
Montana 2-1-1 provides information and connects people to resources for non-emergency needs.
Call 2-1-1 or go to the website, the link is provided above.
LifeLine
Learn more below about Lifeline, an assistance resource for discounted internet, free phones and free coverage.
Office of Public Assistance
- Self Service Portal
At the Self Service Portal one can: Apply, Check Benefits, View Notices, Report Changes or Upload Documents. If an individual does not have an account (Check My Benefit), they need only to follow the steps to set up their own account at this site.
Email
Helpline: 1-888-706-1535
Fax: 1-877-418-4533
Mail: HCSD/OPA
P O Box 202925
Helena, MT 59620
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
Montana 211
Montana 2-1-1 provides information and connects people to resources for non-emergency needs.
Call 2-1-1
LifeLine
Learn more below about Lifeline, an assistance resource for discounted internet, free phones and free coverage.
Child Care Aware
Resources for Children with Special Needs
No two birth injuries are exactly alike, so it is important to make sure your child receives a proper diagnosis from a medical professional. After your child’s birth injury has been diagnosed, your primary doctor will be able to provide a clearer outlook on your child’s rehabilitation and recovery. Click here to learn more.
Food
For the most updated information on food assistance click here.
Yellowstone County
Meals on Wheels through Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County
A hot nutritious mid-day meal delivered by volunteers Monday through Friday to homebound seniors 60 and older. A donation of $4.00 per meal is recommended but will not be denied if unable to contribute. Meals are available in Billings, Lockwood, Laurel and Worden area.
Business Line: 406-259-9666
Phone 1: 406-259-9666 (Billings MOW)
Phone 2: 406-256-6413 (South Park Senior Center)
Phone 3: 406-628-7571 (Laurel)
Phone 4: 406-967-6535 (Worden)
Billings Food Bank
Gathers food and other essentials to meet the needs of the under privileged in our community. Provides food to various client programs at no cost to the agencies or to their individual clients while assuming the leadership role in feeding the hungry and delivering quality food and other products.
Business Line: 406-259-2856
Fax: 406-259-9847
Senior nutrition program
The Billings Food Bank provides nutritional food boxes for low income seniors that are struggling with meeting their basic food requirements.
Business Line: 406-259-2856
Fax: 406-259-9847
Family Service
Family Service works to prevent hunger and homelessness in Yellowstone County by providing food boxes, rent assistance, utilities, deposit assistance, clothing and other household items.
Business Line: 406-259-2269
Fax: 406-259-7940
Hunger prevention – emergency food boxes
Billings Family Services provides a 14 day supply of food for those experiencing hunger.
Business Line: 406-259-2269
Fax: 406-259-7940
Senior commodity food program
This valuable program works to improve the health of low-income elderly persons by supplementing diets with nutritious USDA food. There are no fees or costs associated with the program.
Business Line: 406-259-2269
Montana Rescue Mission
The Montana Rescue Mission Women’s and Children’s Shelter serves single women and women with children. Assistance is also provided to intact families. A variety of programs are offered to help make the stay productive by providing vital tools to overcome the causes of homelessness. Parenting classes, life skills, anger management, nutrition and food preparation, conflict resolution, addiction counseling, and spiritual development are offered. Chapel services and counseling are available. Meals are served and laundry facilities are available to residents.
Apply in person Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Business Line: 406-259-3105
Salvation Army – Billings
The main focus of the Salvation Army is to reach out to the homeless of Yellowstone County by helping with a spectrum of basic needs: food, shelter, transportation, hygiene, obtaining employment, obtaining housing, and spiritual comfort. Disaster response is very important and often among the first on the scene. Visit our social service office during walk-in hours if you are homeless or in crisis.
Business Line: 406-245-4659
Fax: 406-245-0854
Veteran’s Meat Locker
The Veterans Meat Locker provides free professionally processed wild game for ONLY Veterans and ALL Veterans qualify with proof of service. No legitimate veteran regardless of the branch or service record will be turned away.
Business Line: 406-860-9683
Community Hope, Inc.
Food Pantry is limited to Laurel and surrounding communities. Rent and utility assistance limited to Laurel, gently used clothing and household items to anyone in need ($1.50 per bag). Open cooler with limited food items to anyone. Serves west of 73rd to Park City. Outside service area are on a case by case basis. It is important to verify where you live.
Business Line: 406-628-7281
Add’l Phone: 406-628-7381
Carbon County
Joliet Food Pantry
This food pantry provides food to local community that is in need of a helping hand.
Beartooth Cupboards
Anyone residing in Carbon County, and in need, has access to the food bank twice each month. Packaged goods such as cereal and pasta, and canned soup, fruit and vegetables are always on hand. Hamburger, bread, eggs and dairy products are always on hand.
Address: 17th E 11th St, Red Lodge, MT 59068
Business Line: 406-446-1255
Bridger Community Food Bank
Anyone in need of food security. Free groceries – donations accepted.
Address: 206 N D St, Bridger, MT 59041 (Old Furniture Factory)
Business Line: 406-662-1060
Harvest Hope
Any high school student who is food insecure. Meal pantry for Red Lodge High School students.
Address: 800 Chambers N, Red Lodge, MT 59068
Business Line: 406-446-1903
Big Horn County
Helping Hands Food Bank
For the health and safety of our community we have updated several policies regarding services, while trying to maintain the highest standards. We hope these measures will protect the well-being of our customers and volunteers.
Our Facebook page will offer the most up to date information. If you have any questions, please contact us on messenger or at 665-2997. In the mean time, please do your best to respect the changes we have made and thank you for your understanding during this time.
Business Line: 406-665-2997
The Center Pole
Community Food Bank
Address: 3391 I90 Frontage Road, Garryowen 59031
Business Line: 406-638-2821
Human Resources Development Council (HRDC)
Through the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations HRDC provides a variety of healthy and nutritious food to enrolled tribal members on or near the Crow Reservation on a monthly basis. Contact Agency for eligibility requirements and further details. Please call.
Business Line: 406-665-2523
Stillwater County
Project Hope of Stillwater County
Project Hope serves residents of Stillwater County with a food bank, thrift store and various outreach programs. MWF 9-3 pm, Sat 12-3.
Business Phone: (406)322-8537
Reed Point Evangelical Church
Local church can provide some meat from Pioneer Meats in Big Timber.
Address: 15 S Park St Reed Point, Montana
Business Phone: (406) 326-2263
Email
Absarokee Area Food Bank
Food Bank offering emergency food and monthly food boxes to those in need. During this two week school shutdown, the food bank is providing food for the kids at the school along with their regular recipients.
Business Line: 406-328-4365
Address: 101 South Woodard Ave.
Sweet Grass County
Absarokee Area Food Bank
See listing in Stillwater listed above.
Pioneer Meats
Montana Food Bank is available at 31 Pioneer Trail Big Timber, 59011
Email
Business Line: (406) 932-4555
Big Timber Community Food Bank
Montana Food Bank is open Mondays 12 PM-4 PM, and the first and last Fridays of the month 12 PM-4 PM
Business Line: (406) 932-4070
