Statewide Iowa — The date on this Thursday is 2/11. It’s a great day to promote — and celebrate — the use of the short phone number 211 and educate people on its use.
211 is one of the short “11” numbers in use in the United States. Like 911 for an emergency, 411 for directory information, 811 for “call before you dig,” and so forth, all you need to dial is the digits 2 1 1.
Those who run the 211 service tell us it’s basically the number you call when you don’t know who to call. They say you call 211 if you know you need help but don’t know exactly what kind of assistance is available — let alone how to access it. 211 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. 211 can assist by helping to clarify your personal situation and then utilizing an extensive up-to-date database to determine the best resource or resources for you. 211 is a free, comprehensive information and referral system linking you to health and human service programs, community services, disaster services, and governmental programs. 211 is a one-stop source of information for people looking for services.
And within the last year, they tell us 211 Iowa has connected more individuals with help and resources than ever before. In fact, since March 2020 when 211 Iowa was tapped to be the state’s official COVID hotline, 211 usage has skyrocketed going up more than 81% in 2020, compared to the previous year. More than 52% of the to 138,849 contacts (both calls and texts) made in 2020 were COVID-19 related (72,734 COVID-related in total). Those figures do not include users who accessed information using the 211 Iowa app or website.
February 11th — National 211 Day — was created to recognize the free, user-friendly phone number that serves about 95% of America’s population, including the complete state of Iowa. 211 Iowa covers all 99 counties with 24/7 coverage. Every Iowan has access via four call centers which are privately-funded by local and regional partners.
Melissa McCoy, Iowa’s 211 director says there are four ways to communicate with 211 across the state — by a phone call, text, app, or their website at www.211iowa.org. March 17, 2020, was the busiest day of the year for 211 Iowa with 1,916 contacts (calls and texts). These days the increased 211 usage means having several calls waiting in the queue not being unusual. However, 211 Iowa has initiated a callback feature which allows callers to keep their place in line and receive a call when it’s their turn instead of waiting on hold.
She also says they’re looking at hiring additional people — if they are able to get additional funding so that citizens of Iowa won’t have to wait to connect with a call specialist.
211 specialists are familiar with a plethora of services. For example, in the case of a worker who has recently been laid off or whose hours have been reduced, the 211 specialist may share information about unemployment benefits, job search options, SNAP benefits, food pantries, mortgage or rent help, utility assistance, counseling and other available resources.
They also tell us it’s for everybody, and you don’t have to be in dire need. If you have a question about any kind of resources, dial 211. Assistance is available in multiple languages, and services are accessible to people with disabilities. 211 Iowa uses a Language Line translation service that can translate assistance in 150 languages. They also say there’s no such thing as a silly question.
