2-1-1 Fact Sheet

Like 9-1-1 can assist with emergency services, 2-1-1 is a three-digit abbreviated dialing telephone number within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) which allows access to specific social and health services. 2-1-1 is also a central resource for community information during and in recovery from disasters.

Dial 2-1-1 for free, confidential, 24/7 social, health, and disaster services information and referrals. 2-1-1 is a one-stop source of information for people looking for community services and resources, especially for those who need essential services, such as food, shelter, counseling, employment assistance, and more. Callers receive personalized information from a live Information and Referral Specialist. Non-English speaking callers can be assisted by bilingual Specialists who speak Spanish, Thai, Lao, Mien, and English. Non-English speaking callers can also be assisted through a 24/7 telephone interpreting service with access to interpreters in more than 200 languages and dialects.

Who can utilize 2-1-1 Sacramento?

2-1-1 Sacramento is for everyone. Information and Referral services are offered to all Sacramento County residents including:

Parents seeking services for themselves and their children
Seniors seeking information about supportive services or financial scams
Employers seeking support resources for their employees
Laid-off workers struggling to feed their families and looking for employment resources
Disaster victims seeking loved ones, housing, food, counseling
Teachers, clergy, and agency staff seeking help for their clients

2-1-1 Sacramento call volume

Over 75,000 calls were handled in 2021.

Who answers 2-1-1 calls?

2-1-1 calls are answered by an Information and Referral Specialist. Specialists are trained in navigating the maze of human service agencies and programs. Non-English speaking callers can be assisted by bilingual Specialists who speak Spanish, Thai, Lao, Mien, and English. Non-English speaking callers can also be assisted through a 24/7 telephone interpreting service with access to interpreters in more than 200 languages and dialects.

2-1-1 also provides application assistance for CalFresh benefits over the phone.

2-1-1 replaces InfoLine Sacramento

For more than 35 years, InfoLine Sacramento provided information and referral services in Sacramento County. On April 7, 2008, InfoLine became 2-1-1 Sacramento, offering enhanced services and expanded hours for the public.

Number of health and human services in the 2-1-1 Sacramento database?

Over 1,600 programs and services are listed in the 2-1-1 Sacramento database.

Who is funding 2-1-1 Sacramento?

2-1-1 Sacramento is a program of Community Link Capital Region and is supported by: the County of Sacramento, Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services, Agency on Aging\Area 4, United Way, California Department of Social Services, Sacramento County Superior Court, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Programs, and Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada, INC.

What are the locations of 2-1-1 Sacramento?

2-1-1 Sacramento provides services primarily over the telephone or through its online public resource directory.

There is a satellite location at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, Community Resource Room in Room 113. This location is open Monday through Thursday 8 am – 4:30 pm. The Information and Referral Specialist stationed in the Community Resource Room can provide people who are at the courthouse with information on and referrals to many legal community resources. Legal videos are also available for viewing.

What are the benefits of 2-1-1?

2-1-1 can provide information on and connect community members, service providers, and other community stakeholders to a broad array of community services offered throughout the community. Additionally, 2-1-1 provides vital trend information regarding community needs and demographics to aid planning efforts.

How many Californians have access to 2-1-1?

96% of California residents now have access to 2-1-1. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ruled in 2003 that 2-1-1 service would be established on a county-by-county basis. For information on accessibility to 2-1-1 providers across the country, visit 211.org.

Do other states have 2-1-1?

2-1-1 is accessible to 94.6% of the U.S. population. For information on out-of-state 2-1-1 providers, visit 211.org.

What's the difference between 2-1-1, 3-1-1, 9-1-1, and other N-1-1 numbers?

2-1-1: Community services
3-1-1: Non-emergency government services
4-1-1: Directory assistance
5-1-1: Traffic and transit
6-1-1: AT&T repair service
7-1-1: California relay for hearing impaired
8-1-1: “Call before you dig” for locating underground utility lines
9-1-1: Life-threatening emergency services

2-1-1’s role in disaster response and recovery

2007 Southern California Wildfires: The importance of 2-1-1 during a disaster was apparent during the October 2007 wildfires in Southern California, where 2-1-1 San Diego call volumes peaked at 30,000 calls a day – up from 800 daily – as residents sought information about evacuation sites, road closures, shelters, medical assistance, pet and large-animal care, and more.
2005 Hurricane Katrina: Calls to Texas’ statewide 2-1-1 system increased from 2,500 to more than 10,000 a day after the storm as people sought food, shelter, and other assistance. Three weeks after Katrina, more than 170,000 Texas callers had received 2-1-1 assistance.
In Sacramento: 2-1-1 Sacramento works with Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services and Sacramento Regional Office of Homeland Security as a public information partner in disaster preparedness and response.

Cell phone coverage

2-1-1 is available on all service carriers. If you need to access 2-1-1 Sacramento from outside the county, dial 844-546-1464 or 916-498-1000

2-1-1 Sacramento is a program of Community Link Capital Region

Community Link Capital Region helps people turn ideas into community action through information, planning, civic engagement, and advocacy for human needs in the Sacramento Region. Community Link is a multi-service, community-based organization that provides health and human services information for the public, conducts research and policy analysis on health and social issues, and mobilizes people to improve the health and welfare of individuals and communities. Community Link programs include 2-1-1 Sacramento and HandsOn Superior California, a civic action center connecting volunteers with meaningful community service opportunities.

General Grievances and Complaints Policy

Any consumer of 2-1-1 Sacramento services or assistance has the right to file a grievance or complaint over any unresolved conflict or issue that arises during the course of services.

Click here for the policy.