AARP Friendly Voice – We may be isolated, but we don’t have to be alone. Trained AARP Friendly Voice volunteers will provide a call to say hello.

Request a call:

• Call 1-888-281-0145 and leave your information, someone will call you back.
• Llámanos directamente al 1-888-497-4108.

• AARP: Family Caregiving
• Caring Across Generations Tender – Family caregiving app to help organize information, connect with other caregivers, and navigate services.
• Guide for Caregivers – talking to family, friends, and loved ones about care.
• National Alliance for Caregiving:
  • Guidebook for Caregivers of Children With Rare/Serious Illnesses
  • Guidebook for Mental Health Caregivers
  • Memory Loss Conversation Guide
  • Falls Prevention Conversation Guide
• Rosalynn Carter Institute on Caregiving:
  • Invisible Overtime: What Employers Need to Know
  • Caring for You, Caring for Me training course
  • Working While Caring
• Home Instead: Dementia Home Care Grant for in-home respite care.
• Benefits CheckUp: Tool connecting older adults with benefits programs.
• National Council on Aging: Caregiver Support
• Justice in Aging Resource Library
• Friends of the Children – Nonprofit breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty through mentorship.

Access severe cold and winter storm updates that can affect travel, power, heating, and personal safety. These national resources provide real-time alerts and safety guidance.

Wizard Perks are benefits designed to support you with practical solutions that make everyday challenges easier to manage. You have access to discounts such as:

• Exclusive hotel deals when you’ve got an interview in another city.
• Car rental discounts when your car’s in the shop and you need to get to work.
• Free items on Wednesdays to help stretch your budget!

Learn more and access Wizard Perks.

Feeding America: Find your local food bank here.

USDA National Hunger Hotline: Aids low-income individuals or communities by providing food assistance and other nutrition and social services information.

• By Phone: 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Eastern Time)
• By Text: Text to 914-342-7744 with a keyword such as “food” or “meals” to receive automated local resources.

Explore Federal Food Assistance Programs

Resources for anyone impacted by the justice system:

• Federal Bonding Program (U.S. Department of Labor) – offers no-cost fidelity bonds to returning citizens and other hard-to-place job applicants.
• Record Clearing (a.k.a. “expungement”, “non-disclosure”, or “record sealing”).
• Career One Stop – Offers guidance for ex-offenders seeking employment.

• National Housing Conference – Federal housing assistance programs (HUD).
• HUD Exchange – Homelessness assistance programs providing funding to states and local governments.
• Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Assistance Program

Access our resource on immigrant rights and support.

• Essentials to Work (in partnership with Lyft) – may provide no-cost transportation to interviews.
• 211 (United Way) – By calling 211 or visiting 211.org, people can search for free or discounted transportation options in their area.

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (24/7): Assists homeless Veterans and their families.

• Phone: 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838)
• Homeless Veterans Online Chat
• Veteran Call Center for Re-Entry Counseling

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): offers compassionate care to all those grieving the death of a loved one serving in our Armed Forces.

• Online Community Support
• Phone: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)

JAN Network – The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a comprehensive resource offering free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues.

• Empowerwork.org – Empower Work is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the way people receive support in the workplace.
• EARN Job Seeker Resources – Target audience: learners with disabilities.

Remote Work-focused Sites:

• No Desk
• FlexJobs
• Remote IO
• Remote Co

We know financial stress is a heavy lift. To help you manage today and plan for tomorrow, we’ve partnered with TrustPlus, a mission-driven nonprofit. They offer free, confidential, one-on-one financial coaching to support your goals.

To learn more:

• English Flyer & FAQ
• Spanish Flyer & FAQ

👉 Pro tip: If the issue is software-related, start with free options. Paid services usually only make sense for hardware issues.

Free Tech Support Options:

• Reddit’s r/techsupport – Active online community.
• Microsoft Support / Apple Support
• Local Public Libraries
• Senior Planet / OATS
• Manufacturer Support

Low-Cost Tech Support Options:

• Best Buy Geek Squad
• uBreakiFix (by Asurion)
• Local Computer Repair Shops
• Micro Center / Staples Tech Services

25 Google Chrome Extensions for Accessibility – Links to a variety of extensions that support speech-to-text, text-to-speech, readability, and focus.

• Search a database of public libraries to use their computers.
• United Way: Find local United Way resources or contact the 2-1-1 hotline.
• USA Job Centers: Locate an American Job Center.
• YMCA/YWCA: Visit YMCA or YWCA websites for day pass policies.
• Goodwill: Access the Goodwill locator tool.

• USA Learns – A free, online platform designed to help adults learn English.
• Grammarly & Grammarly Tutorials
• Duolingo
• Improve Your English Communication Skills (Coursera)
• Learn English: Intermediate Grammar (Coursera)
• English Improve
• Interviewing in Your Second Language
• Acing Your Job Interview in a Second Language
• Job Interview Tips for Non-Native English Speakers

• Free – Public Libraries: Database of libraries.
• Free – Local Support & Schools: Find a location near you.
• PCs for People: Low-cost internet services.
• EveryoneOn: Affordable or free internet access.
• Internet Essentials by Comcast: Discounted internet plans.
• T-Mobile Project 10-Million: Free or low-cost hotspots.
• AT&T Access: Low-cost internet service.

We understand starting a new program can feel overwhelming. Read our Merit America FAQs for advice and answers from the Merit America Team!

• Human-I-T: Laptops under $500.
• PCs for People: Refurbishes and redistributes computers at a low cost.
• Free Geek: Refurbishes donated devices.
• Computers with Causes: Apply for refurbished tech.

All of the following resources are free so you will not need to pay anything to start practicing!

Cyber Security: CyberDefenders

Data Analytics: Kaggle

Human Resources: 10 In-Demand HR Skills | How to Break Into the Field

IT Support: OverTheWire

Project Management: Scrum Training | Trello | ClickUp

UX Design: Figma Best Practices | Daily UI | Sharpen | UX Games

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Call 1-800-422-4453. Offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals.
• DoD Safe Helpline: Call 1-877-995-5247. A 24/7 support service designed to provide live, one-on-one support to sexual assault survivors.
• Love is Respect (Dating Abuse): Call 1-866-331-9474 or Text 22522.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233.
• National Human Trafficking Resource Center: Call 1-888-373-7888.
• National Runaway Safeline: Call 1-800-RUNAWAY.

• National Council on Problem Gambling: Call or text 1-800-522-4700.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
• National Eating Disorders Association

Your well-being matters. All One Health offers free, confidential support for everything from stress and relationships to financial concerns and mental health.

Explore All One Health services here.

Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan.

• Stomp Out Bullying
• StopBullying.gov

National Center for Victims of Crime:

• National VictimConnect Helpline: Call 1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
• Victim Connect Online Chat
• Connect Directory (Local Assistance)
• Stalking Resource Center

• Compassionate Friends: Call 1-877-969-0010. Find a Chapter | Online Support Groups
• Crisis Text Line: A free, 24/7 support texting service.

• Human Rights Campaign Resources
• GLBT National Hotline: Call 1-888-843-4564.
• The Trevor Project: Call 1-212-695-8650.
• Coming Out Support Hotline
• Trans Lifeline Hotline

Disaster Distress Helpline:

• Phone: 1-800-985-5990
• Text: TalkWithUs to 66746

Hurricanes & Federal Relief:

• FEMA.gov
• FindHelp.org
• Access hurricane resources.

• Darebee.com – 100% free site with visual workout plans.
• HASfit – Free fitness programs.

National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: Dial 988 to connect with trained professionals 24/7.

S.A.F.E. Alternatives / RAINN: Call 1-800-366-8288.