When to Call Miami-Dade 211 vs. 311
Use 211 for human and community services; use 311 for Miami-Dade County government services and information.
Start here
Dial 211 for social-service, crisis, food, housing, health, and nonprofit referrals. Dial 311—or 305-468-5900—for Miami-Dade County departments, services, requests, and government information.
What to have ready
- The ZIP code where help is needed
- A one-sentence description of the immediate need
- Any deadline, shutoff, eviction, discharge, or safety concern
- Preferred language and accessibility needs
Words you can use
“I am in ZIP code [ZIP] and need [specific help]. Which program handles this, is it accepting calls now, and is this number a referral or the actual application?”
Steps in order
- 1
Use 211 for community and human-service referrals; it is available around the clock.
- 2
Use 311 or 305-468-5900 for county-government questions and service requests.
- 3
Ask for the direct program name, phone, eligibility starting point, and current availability.
- 4
Call 911—not 211 or 311—when there is immediate danger or a medical emergency.
If the first answer is no or wait
If the first referral does not fit, call back with the reason it failed and ask for the next route. Keep the program name and date checked.
Official sources
Sources checked August 9, 2026. Confirm eligibility, hours, cost, service area, and current availability directly.
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