General help for anyone in Russell County
Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice
Alabama Appleseed
Local · 67 Alabama counties
Nonprofit law and policy center; direct services focus on post-conviction/parole representation and re-entry support (housing support, case management, employment) for people leaving prison.
205-963-7999
- Who
- Mainly people serving long sentences and returning citizens; call to ask about other issues (fines/fees)
- Where
- 400 South Union Street, Suite 355, Montgomery, AL 36104
- Email
- admin@alabamaappleseed.org
- Good to know
- Birmingham office: 2 Office Park Circle, Suite 10, Birmingham, AL 35223. Not a general civil legal aid intake; legal resource list at alabamaappleseed.org/legal-resources/.
Alabama Department of Senior Services - Legal Assistance Program
ADSS Senior Legal / AgeLine
Local · 67 Alabama counties
Statewide free legal help for adults 60+ through local Area Agencies on Aging: housing/eviction, benefits (SS, Medicare, Medicaid), elder abuse/exploitation, POA, wills, guardianship, debt.
800-243-5463 (1-800-AGE-LINE); 334-242-5743
- Who
- Age 60+ (no income test; non-fee-generating cases)
- Where
- 201 Monroe Street, Suite 350, Montgomery, AL 36104
- Email
- ageline@adss.alabama.gov
- Good to know
- 1-800-AGE-LINE routes to the caller's local AAA/ADRC, which contracts the regional senior legal provider.
Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity (GA)
Local · Russell County, AL
Georgia-based Habitat affiliate with Home Repairs program; nearest affiliate to Phenix City.
706-653-6003
- Who
- Low-income homeowners/families meeting Habitat criteria
- Where
- 3520 River Rd, Columbus, GA 31904
- Email
- info@ColumbusAreaHabitat.com
- Good to know
- Alabama (Russell Co.) service NOT confirmed; call before referring. No Alabama-based Habitat affiliate found for Russell County.
Legal Services Alabama - Montgomery Office
LSA
Local · 13 Alabama counties
Free civil legal help (housing/eviction, consumer/debt, family, public benefits, elder law, foreclosure); apply through the statewide call center Mon-Fri 8:30a-4:30p or online.
334-832-4570
- Who
- Low-income households (income-screened); some grants such as elder grants for age 60+ are not income-based
- Where
- 3054 McGehee Rd., Montgomery, AL 36111
- Good to know
- County assignments from probono.net office listings (LSA site does not publish them). Mailing: P.O. Box 20728, Montgomery, AL 36120. Handles eviction defense referrals for Montgomery County (per Montgomery VLP).
Lee-Russell Area Agency on Aging
Lee-Russell Council of Governments
Local · Lee, Russell County, AL
Local aging office: Medicare counseling, in-home waivers, meals, caregiver support.
334-749-5264
- Who
- Adults 60+, people with disabilities, caregivers
Alabama Habitat for Humanity
Alabama Habitat for Humanity
Statewide, AL
Connects people to local Habitat affiliates for home repair and affordable homeownership.
334-737-6401
- Who
- Low-income households in a local affiliate's area
- Email
- support@alabamahabitat.org
USDA Section 504 home repair loans and grants
USDA Rural Development Alabama
Federal
1% loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 to fix homes and remove health and safety hazards.
334-279-3440
- Who
- Very-low-income rural homeowners; grants only for age 62+
1-800-MEDICARE
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Federal
Answers Medicare coverage, enrollment, billing and plan questions.
1-800-633-4227
- Who
- Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
SAMHSA
Federal
24/7 free, confidential support for mental health, suicide or substance use crises. Call or text.
988
- Who
- Anyone
Adult Abuse Hotline (Adult Protective Services)
Alabama Department of Human Resources
Statewide, AL
Takes and investigates reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly or disabled adults. 24/7.
1-800-458-7214
- Who
- Elderly or disabled adults who can't protect themselves
Alabama Ageline / ADRC
Alabama Department of Senior Services
Statewide, AL
One number that connects older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers to local aging services and benefits help.
1-800-243-5463
- Who
- Older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers
- Email
- ageline@adss.alabama.gov
Alabama Arise
Alabama Arise
Statewide, AL
Statewide policy advocacy on poverty issues like Medicaid, SNAP, taxes and housing.
334-832-9060
- Who
- Advocates and the public (policy work, not direct help)
- Email
- info@alarise.org
Alabama CARES caregiver support
Alabama Department of Senior Services
Statewide, AL
Training, information and respite care for family caregivers.
1-800-243-5463
- Who
- Caregivers of adults 60+; relatives 55+ raising children
Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities
ACDD
Statewide, AL
Advocates for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
1-800-232-2158
- Who
- People with developmental disabilities and families
Alabama Department of Mental Health
ADMH
Statewide, AL
Public mental health, substance use and developmental disability services, plus rights advocacy. DD Call Center: 1-800-361-4491.
1-800-367-0955
- Who
- People with mental illness, substance use disorders or developmental disabilities
- Email
- alabama.dmh@mh.alabama.gov
Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP)
Alabama's Protection & Advocacy agency
Statewide, AL
Free legal advocacy to protect the rights of people with disabilities: abuse and neglect, services, discrimination.
1-800-826-1675
- Who
- Alabamians with disabilities
Alabama Free Legal Answers
American Bar Association
Statewide, AL
Post a civil legal question online and a volunteer lawyer answers.
Online only
- Who
- Low-income Alabama residents
Alabama Housing Finance Authority
AHFA
Statewide, AL
Homebuyer mortgages, down payment help and an affordable Apartment Finder.
1-800-325-2432
- Who
- Homebuyers within income limits; renters looking for affordable units
Alabama Legal Help
Legal Services Alabama
Statewide, AL
Free online legal information, forms and self-help guides.
Online only
- Who
- Anyone
Alabama Medicaid
Alabama Medicaid Agency
Statewide, AL
Health coverage for eligible low-income children, families, pregnant women, elderly and disabled Alabamians.
1-800-362-1504
- Who
- Low-income residents meeting program rules
Alabama Relay (711)
Alabama Relay
Statewide, AL
Free 24/7 relay so deaf, hard-of-hearing, deafblind and speech-disabled people can make phone calls.
711
- Who
- Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or speech-disabled callers
Alabama SHIP (Medicare counseling)
Alabama Department of Senior Services
Statewide, AL
Free, unbiased counseling on Medicare, Part D, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid and billing problems.
1-800-243-5463
- Who
- Medicare beneficiaries, families and caregivers
- Email
- ageline@adss.alabama.gov
Alabama Statewide Independent Living Council
Alabama SILC
Statewide, AL
Plans and advocates for independent living services statewide.
334-293-7407
- Who
- People with disabilities and advocates
- Email
- lisa.alford@rehab.alabama.gov
Alabama WIC
Alabama Department of Public Health
Statewide, AL
Healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support.
1-888-942-4673
- Who
- Pregnant or new mothers, infants and children under 5 with limited income
AlabamaABLE savings account
Alabama State Treasurer
Statewide, AL
Tax-advantaged savings for disability expenses that doesn't count against SSI or Medicaid limits.
1-833-711-2253
- Who
- People with disabilities meeting ABLE onset-age rules
Assistive technology (formerly STAR)
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Statewide, AL
Free device demonstrations, short-term loans, reused equipment and low-interest loans for assistive technology.
1-800-782-7656
- Who
- Alabamians of any age with disabilities
Attorney General Consumer Interest Division
Alabama Attorney General
Statewide, AL
Takes and mediates complaints about scams, contractor or home-repair fraud and business disputes.
1-800-392-5658
- Who
- Any Alabama consumer
- Email
- ConsumerInterest@AlabamaAG.gov
Children's Rehabilitation Service
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Statewide, AL
Medical, rehab and care coordination for children with special health care needs.
1-800-846-3697
- Who
- Under 21 with special health care needs
Eldercare Locator
U.S. Administration for Community Living
Federal
National line that connects older adults and caregivers to local aging services.
1-800-677-1116
- Who
- Older adults and caregivers
- Email
- eldercarelocator@USAging.org
Extra Help (Medicare drug costs)
Social Security Administration
Federal
Lowers Medicare prescription drug premiums, deductibles and copays.
1-800-772-1213
- Who
- People with Medicare and limited income and resources
Family Assistance (TANF) and JOBS
Alabama Department of Human Resources
Statewide, AL
Temporary cash help plus job training for low-income families with children.
Apply online or at the county DHR office
- Who
- Low-income families with children under 18
Free specialized phones (ATAP)
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind
Statewide, AL
Free amplified, TTY and other specialized phones.
205-328-3989
- Who
- Income-eligible residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or speech disabled
- Email
- ware.sandra@aidb.org
HUD Alabama field office
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Statewide, AL
Answers questions about HUD programs in Alabama and handles HUD housing complaints.
205-731-2630
- Who
- Alabama residents
HUD housing counseling
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal
Free or low-cost counseling on renting, buying, foreclosure, reverse mortgages and homelessness.
1-800-569-4287
- Who
- Any renter or homeowner
Independent Rights & Resources
Center for Independent Living
Statewide, AL
Advocacy, peer support, independent living skills and help finding local programs for people with disabilities.
(334) 240-2520
- Who
- People with disabilities in the center's counties
- Where
- 2200 Madison Ave, Montgomery 36104
Lawyer Referral Service
Alabama State Bar
Statewide, AL
Refers callers to a local private attorney for a low-cost first consultation.
1-800-392-5660
- Who
- Anyone needing a lawyer
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama
Statewide, AL
Free civil legal help: housing, benefits, consumer, family and elder law.
1-866-456-4995
- Who
- Low-income households; some help for 60+ regardless of income
Lifeline phone and internet discount
FCC / USAC
Federal
Monthly discount on phone or internet service.
1-800-234-9473
- Who
- Income at or below 135% of poverty, or on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, federal housing aid or Veterans Pension
- Email
- LifelineSupport@usac.org
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Alabama Department of Senior Services
Statewide, AL
Investigates and resolves complaints for residents of nursing homes and assisted living.
334-242-5753
- Who
- Long-term care residents and families
Medicaid in-home care waivers
Alabama Department of Senior Services / Alabama Medicaid
Statewide, AL
Pays for in-home care (personal care, homemaker, respite, adult day, meals) so people can stay out of nursing homes.
1-800-243-5463
- Who
- Elderly or disabled, Medicaid-eligible, at nursing-home level of care
- Email
- ageline@adss.alabama.gov
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1)
Alabama Medicaid Agency
Statewide, AL
Pays Medicare Part B premiums and, for QMB, Part A premium, deductibles and coinsurance.
1-800-362-1504
- Who
- Low-income people who have or qualify for Medicare
Public housing and Section 8 vouchers
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal
Find the local housing authority that takes applications for public housing and Section 8.
1-800-955-2232
- Who
- Low-income families, elderly and people with disabilities
SAIL waiver
State of Alabama Independent Living
Statewide, AL
In-home supports so people with significant disabilities can keep living at home.
1-844-602-7245
- Who
- Adults with significant physical disabilities who qualify for Medicaid waiver services
SenioRx prescription help
Alabama Department of Senior Services
Statewide, AL
Free or low-cost 3-month supplies of prescription drugs through manufacturer programs.
1-800-243-5463
- Who
- 55+ with a chronic condition and no drug coverage, any age with a disability, or Medicare in the coverage gap
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration
Federal
Monthly benefits for people who can't work because of a disability and have enough work credits.
1-800-772-1213
- Who
- Workers with a qualifying disability and enough work history
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration
Federal
Monthly cash for people with very low income and few resources who are 65+, blind, or disabled.
1-800-772-1213
- Who
- Age 65+, blind or disabled, with limited income and resources
VA benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Federal
Disability compensation, pension, Aid & Attendance and other benefits for veterans and survivors.
1-800-827-1000
- Who
- Veterans, dependents and survivors
VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Federal
Health care enrollment for eligible veterans.
1-877-222-8387
- Who
- Veterans meeting service and discharge requirements
Veterans Crisis Line
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Federal
24/7 confidential crisis support. Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
988, press 1
- Who
- Veterans, service members and families
Veterans Service Officers
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
Statewide, AL
Free help filing VA claims, appeals, Aid & Attendance and survivor benefits through county offices.
334-242-5077
- Who
- Veterans, dependents and survivors
Volunteer Lawyers Program
Alabama State Bar
Statewide, AL
Free civil legal help from volunteer attorneys. Jefferson County residents use Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham: 205-250-5198.
1-888-857-8571
- Who
- Low-income residents