Community Resources
Beyond the programs we offer directly, there are many organizations across South Mississippi and statewide that can help you and your family. This page connects you with trusted resources for food, healthcare, housing, jobs, legal help, and more.
All resources listed here are free or low cost. If you are not sure where to start, call 2-1-1 from any phone for 24/7 help finding services in your area, or contact our office at (228) 769-3292.
Government Programs
State and federal programs that provide food, healthcare, cash assistance, and other support to eligible Mississippi residents.
SNAP (Food Benefits)
Monthly food benefits to help low-income families supplement their grocery budgets. Apply online through the Mississippi Common Web Portal.
Mississippi Medicaid
Health coverage for eligible low-income children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and individuals with disabilities.
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance)
Health coverage for uninsured children up to age 19 whose families earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
WIC (Women, Infants, Children)
Monthly food benefits and nutrition support for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5.
TANF (Cash Assistance)
Cash assistance for families with children under 18 while parents gain work skills and find employment.
Child Support Enforcement
Helps custodial parents establish paternity, set support orders, and collect child support payments.
Community Action Partnership
The national network of Community Action Agencies working to reduce poverty. CASOMS is a member of this network.
Mississippi Department of Health
Statewide public health services including immunizations, WIC, vital records, disease prevention, and county health departments.
Housing
Affordable housing, rental assistance, Section 8 vouchers, homeless services, and homeownership programs for South Mississippi residents.
Open Doors Homeless Coalition
Rapid rehousing, homeless prevention, and the Coordinated Entry System for six South Mississippi counties including Harrison, Jackson, and George.
South MS Housing Authority
Public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs for 14 South Mississippi counties including Harrison, Jackson, and George.
Mississippi Home Corporation
Affordable mortgage programs, down payment assistance, and Housing Assistance for Teachers through the state housing finance agency.
Back Bay Mission
Emergency assistance, housing rehabilitation, supportive housing, and the Micah Day Center for individuals experiencing homelessness in Biloxi.
Seashore Mission
Shelter, meals, and recovery support for individuals experiencing homelessness on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Home Remodeling for Seniors
Guide to home modifications and accessibility upgrades for seniors and individuals with disabilities to maintain safe, independent living.
Healthcare
Low cost medical care, dental, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services on the Gulf Coast and statewide.
Coastal Family Health Center
Federally Qualified Health Center with 14 clinics across the Gulf Coast. Primary care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, WIC enrollment, and pharmacy. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most insurance, and offers a sliding fee scale for uninsured patients.
- Moss Point: (228) 474-9511
- Gulfport: (228) 864-0003
- Lucedale: (601) 947-8268
MS Department of Mental Health
Statewide mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual/developmental disability services. Operates a 24/7 helpline and Mobile Crisis Response Teams in all 82 Mississippi counties.
Pine Belt Mental Healthcare
Outpatient mental health services, substance abuse treatment, crisis stabilization, and counseling for Harrison, Hancock, and Stone counties.
Gulfport Behavioral Health System
Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care for adults, adolescents, and children. Substance abuse programs, detox, and specialized programs for veterans and first responders. 24/7 assessments available.
Emergency Help
Emergency food, shelter, clothing, utility assistance, disaster relief, and 24/7 referral services.
Dial 2-1-1 from any phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free, confidential service connecting you with health and human services including utilities, rent, food, healthcare, and crisis support.
The Salvation Army
Emergency food, shelter (including cold weather shelter), clothing, utility assistance, and disaster relief services across the Gulf Coast.
- Biloxi: (228) 374-8301
- Pascagoula: (228) 762-7222
- George County: (601) 766-3577
American Red Cross
Disaster response, emergency shelter, fire assistance, and military family support through the Southeast Mississippi Chapter.
612 East Pass Road
Gulfport, MS 39507
- Local: (228) 896-4511
- National 24/7: (800) 733-2767
Legal Aid
Free and low cost legal help for Mississippi residents who cannot afford an attorney. Services cover housing, family law, disability rights, immigration, and more.
MS Center for Legal Services
Free civil legal assistance for individuals at or below 125% of the federal poverty level in 43 counties including Harrison, Jackson, and George. Covers housing, family law, consumer issues, employment, and income maintenance.
MS Volunteer Lawyers Project
Connects low-income Mississippians with volunteer attorneys for free help with divorce, custody, guardianship, name changes, estate planning, and birth certificate corrections.
MS Center for Justice
Free legal assistance focused on housing, consumer protection, education, and civil rights for low-income Mississippians. Offices in Jackson and Biloxi.
Disability Rights Mississippi
Free legal advocacy for Mississippians with disabilities. Covers civil rights, children's rights, abuse and neglect investigations, ADA compliance, and special education.
El Pueblo Immigration Legal Services
Free immigration legal representation, bilingual case management, community ESL classes, and direct services to immigrants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Jobs and Training
Job placement, career counseling, skills training, and workforce development programs on the Gulf Coast and statewide.
WIN Job Centers
Job placement assistance, career counseling, skills training, veterans priority services, unemployment insurance, and referral to employment resources through the MS Department of Employment Security.
- Gulfport: (228) 897-6900
- Pascagoula: (228) 762-4713
WIOA Job Training (MGCCC)
Free tuition assistance, job training, paid internships, and supportive services for unemployed or underemployed adults and out of school youth ages 16 to 24. Funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
WIOA Coordinator: (228) 897-6912
Mississippi Works
Statewide employment initiative connecting job seekers with employers, training programs, and career pathway resources across Mississippi.
Visit mississippiworks.org (opens in new tab)MS Dept of Rehabilitation Services
Helps Mississippians with disabilities find careers, live independently, and access vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology, and job placement services.
Education
GED programs, college planning, financial aid, early childhood resources, and adult education on the Gulf Coast and statewide.
MGCCC Adult Education (GED)
Free adult education classes to earn your High School Equivalency diploma through GED or HiSET exams. Multiple locations across the Gulf Coast.
- Gulfport: (228) 897-3810
- Gautier: (228) 497-7824
- Lucedale: (601) 766-6433
FAFSA (Federal Student Aid)
Apply for federal Pell Grants, student loans, and work study to pay for college. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to find out what you qualify for.
Complete 2 Compete (C2C)
Mississippi program helping adults who started college but did not finish earn their degrees, with financial assistance up to $1,000 per semester.
Visit mississippi.edu/c2c (opens in new tab)Get2College
Free, confidential college planning advice and FAFSA completion help for Mississippi students and families.
Excel by 5 (Jackson County)
Early childhood development resources for Jackson County families. Tools, activities, and guidance to help children reach developmental milestones before age 5.
Visit Jackson County Excel by 5 (opens in new tab)Early Childhood Learning (ECLKC)
The federal Office of Head Start's resource hub for early childhood education. Research, best practices, training materials, and family engagement tools for parents and educators.
Visit headstart.gov (opens in new tab)Veterans
Healthcare, benefits, crisis support, and employment services for veterans and their families on the Gulf Coast and statewide.
VA Gulf Coast Health Care
Full service VA medical center in Biloxi offering inpatient and outpatient care, mental health, substance abuse treatment, blind rehabilitation, and community living center. Serves over 85,000 veterans annually.
400 Veterans Avenue
Biloxi, MS 39531
- Local: (228) 523-5000
- Toll Free: (800) 296-8872
Veterans Crisis Line
Immediate, confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text, or online chat.
- Phone: Dial 988, press 1
- Text: 838255
- Chat: veteranscrisisline.net
MS State Veterans Affairs
State agency assisting veterans with benefits, homestead tax exemption, state park access, and connections to federal VA services across Mississippi.
Senior Resources
Assisted living, in-home care, memory care, Medicare, and independent living resources for seniors and their families in Mississippi.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Compare Medicare Advantage plans available in Mississippi, understand coverage options, and find a plan that fits your needs and budget.
Assisted Living in Mississippi
Search for assisted living communities across Mississippi. Compare facilities, read reviews, and find the right fit for your loved one.
In-Home Care
Find in-home care providers in Mississippi for help with daily activities, personal care, and companionship so seniors can stay in their own homes.
Memory Care
Find memory care facilities in Mississippi for loved ones living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Compare specialized programs, staff qualifications, and safety features.
Nursing Homes
Search for nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in Mississippi. Compare ratings, services, costs, and Medicare or Medicaid acceptance.
Independent Living
Find independent living communities in Mississippi for active seniors who want a maintenance-free lifestyle with social activities and optional support services.
Home Remodeling for Seniors
Guide to home modifications and accessibility upgrades for seniors and individuals with disabilities to maintain safe, independent living.
LIFE of Mississippi
Center for independent living providing peer counseling, referrals, independent living skills training, and advocacy for people with significant disabilities. Satellite office in Gulfport.
Crisis and Safety
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. These resources provide confidential support for domestic violence, sexual assault, suicide, and mental health crises.
Immediate help for anyone in suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or substance use crisis. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text, or chat. Free and confidential.
Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence
Mississippi's first Family Justice Center. Emergency shelter, counseling, free legal services, forensic medical clinic, children's programs, housing assistance, and court advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. All services are free and confidential.
- 24/7 Crisis Line: (800) 800-1396
- Biloxi (Jane's House): (228) 435-1968
- Pascagoula (Adrienne's House): (228) 762-8267
National Crisis Hotlines
Confidential support, safety planning, crisis intervention, and referrals to local programs. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Phone: (800) 799-7233
- TTY: (800) 787-3224
- Text: START to 88788
- Phone: (800) 656-4673
Need Help Finding the Right Resource?
Our team can help connect you with the programs and services that fit your situation. Call us or visit our Get Help page to get started.
(228) 769-3292