What do I do if I think my government benefits may be cut?

In these uncertain times, many people with mental health conditions and their families may be wondering what mental health services and supports may be available to them when they need them.

Firstly, it's most important for you to know that nothing has happened yet. There are no changes to your benefits. There are just proposals in Congress right now.*

But we do want to provide some information about resources in your community that may help make up the difference if one of the programs you rely on changes.

The act of making a plan may help lower your anxiety around this topic. Use the resources below to make a plan now of where you will reach out to if you end up needing it.

If you are stressed about these uncertain times, you can find strategies to cope here.

Free Crisis Helplines

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free, confidential help if you or somebody you know is experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicide crisis. Call or text 988, or chat at www.988lifeline.org in English or Spanish to be connected to a trained crisis counselor. Deaf and Hard of Hearing call 711, then 988. Veterans call 988, then press 1 or text any word to 838255. For other language support, you must call 988 and ask for help in the language you speak. They will get you a Tele-Interpreter.
Trevor Project provides free, confidential and secure crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) young people who may be struggling with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ identity, depression, and suicide. The Trevor Project can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678 or chat at thetrevorproject.org.

Resources for Finding Low Cost or No Cost Mental Health Care

211 is a nationwide service that connects people to community resource specialists to find local resources, including employment, housing, food, medical & mental health clinics, etc. Callers can reach the service by dialing 2-1-1 from a mobile or landline phone, or by visiting their website.
Community Behavioral Health Services are local resources and services which depend on where you live. They can provide information on local crisis services (including Mobile Crisis Units), disability services, housing and public benefits, children and teen services, health services, and services for older adults. Search online for your city or county and “Department of Health and Human Services” or “Mental Health Services”.
Findhelp.org is an online service that guides you to free and reduced cost local resources nationwide such as medical care, food, housing, transportation, and employment. The website is offered in multiple languages.
Give an Hour offers barrier-free access to mental health care for those impacted by human-made trauma, including military/veterans, and those affected by mass violence, opioid crisis response, interpersonal violence and rare disease caregivers. Give an Hour provides a referral to free therapy from a mental health professional who has donated an hour of their time.
HelpWhenYouNeedIt is an online service that connects users to over 350,000 listings nationwide of private and public resources for food pantries, stores that accept food stamps, assisted living facilities, domestic violence and homeless shelters, mental health and substance use treatment, free clinics, legal and financial assistance.
National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics offers a treatment locator to search for clinics in your area that provide free or low-cost mental health and substance use disorder services for people who have low incomes.
Open Counseling provides a searchable directory of public resources for accessing local mental health and substance use treatment for free or at a reduced cost.
SAMHSA Treatment Locator is a source of information about treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use, addiction and/or mental health problems. Use the treatment locator to search by location, and narrow the search by distance, service type, service setting, type of care, payment accepted, whether payment assistance is available, and more. Spanish-language services are available.

Help Paying for Medical Expenses

Where can I get help paying for my medication? The cost of prescription medications can be a financial burden, especially for individuals or families with inadequate or no insurance.If you need help paying for medication, this NAMI HelpLine Knowledge Article may be of help.
Where can I get help paying for my bills? We encourage you to explore this NAMI HelpLine Knowledge Article to find resources that may help you pay your bills. You may find additional financial support programs local to you by asking around at your local NAMI affiliate, contacting your county’s community behavioral health services, or getting in touch with a program coordinator at your local library.
Assistance Fund is a service that provides patient advocates to assist in securing financial assistance for co-payments, prescriptions, deductibles, premiums and medical expenses, for those who qualify. Spanish-language translation service is also available.
Patient Advocate Foundation helps federally and commercially insured people with chronic, debilitating or life threatening illnesses. They offer a co-pay relief program to provide direct financial assistance to insured patients who meet certain qualifications to help them pay for needed prescriptions and/or treatment. Their website also has many other resources and services and is also available in Spanish.

Free Online and Community Support

Your local NAMI offers free support and education programs. Local NAMIs may be able to provide contact information for local social services, community services board, and other community services.
Clubhouse International offers people with mental health conditions opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education and access to medical and psychiatric services in a single caring and safe environment. Offers a “Find a Clubhouse Near You” directory. Clubhouses provide opportunities for education, employment and social activities to those living with serious mental illness. Their website is also offered in Spanish. You may wish to also contact your local NAMI Affiliate for an additional list of “Drop-In” centers or similar clubhouses in your area.
Hey Peers is a directory of free or low-cost virtual support groups for people with various mental health conditions.
Phobias Awareness is a free, online community forum for people experiencing panic, phobias, and anxiety to connect with others to gain support and learn coping techniques.
Tribe Wellness Community has free online peer support groups, forums, and chat rooms offering members a safe place to connect about mental health challenges related to addiction, anxiety, depression, OCD and a dedicated group for teens.
Vibrant.org offers free tools and resources for emotional support, including calming exercises, peer support apps and stories of hope and recovery.

Free Legal Help

American Bar Association Pro Bono (Free) Resource Directory helps you find attorneys in your state who provide free, or pro bono, legal services. Some referral services may require a small payment for reviewing your case and referral.
LawHelp.org helps people find free legal aid programs in their communities, answers questions about legal rights and provides forms to help with legal issues. Also has a “Rent and Eviction Help Guide” to learn how to find rental assistance and legal help near you.

Food Assistance

211 is a nationwide service that connects people to community resource specialists to find local resources, including employment, housing, food, medical and mental health clinics. Callers can reach the service by dialing 2-1-1 from a mobile or landline phone, or by visiting their website.
Feeding America offers a zip-code based directory of food banks in the U.S. for people in need of food.
findhelp.org is an online service that guides you to free and reduced cost local resources nationwide such as medical care, food, housing, transportation, and employment. The website is offered in multiple languages.
HelpWhenYouNeedIt is an online service that connects users to over 350,000 listings nationwide of private and public resources for food pantries, stores that accept food stamps, assisted living facilities, domestic violence and homeless shelters, mental health and substance use treatment, free clinics, legal and financial assistance.

Housing Assistance

Where can I find a group home or supported housing? This NAMI HelpLine Knowledge Article provides an overview of what you should look for in housing and different types of supported housing to look for depending on your needs.
Homeless Shelter Directory provides information on homeless shelters and other social services throughout the country.
LawHelp.org helps people find free legal aid programs in their communities, answers questions about legal rights and provides forms to help with legal issues. Also has a “Rent and Eviction Help Guide” to learn how to find rental assistance and legal help near you.

*as of March 6, 2025

Hours of operation Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST

Call: 800-950-NAMI (6264)

Text: 62640

Webchat: www.nami.org/help

Email: helpline@nami.org