When to Call 211 vs. Orange County 311
Use 211 for community and crisis referrals; use 311 for Orange County departments, programs, and service requests.
Start here
Dial 211 for free, confidential 24/7 help finding food, housing, health, family, and crisis resources. Dial 311 or 407-836-3111 for Orange County government services and non-emergency requests.
24/7/365; text ZIP to 898-211
See 211 contact optionsWhat to have ready
- Orange County ZIP code
- One-sentence description of the need
- Deadline, shutoff, eviction, discharge, or safety concern
- Preferred language and accessibility needs
Words you can use
“I am in Orange County ZIP code [ZIP] and need [specific help]. Which program owns this, is it accepting applications, and what starts the process?”
Steps in order
- 1
Use 211 for broad community referrals and crisis support.
- 2
Use 311 for county government routing and service requests.
- 3
Ask for the direct program, next step, and document list.
- 4
Call 911 for immediate danger or a medical emergency.
If the first answer is no or wait
If a referral fails, call back with the reason and request another current route.
Official sources
Sources checked August 9, 2026. Confirm eligibility, hours, cost, service area, and current availability directly.
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