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EmergenciesOverview

Emergency and helpline numbers in the United States and New York City

The numbers to save on your first day: 911 for police, fire and ambulance (with text-to-911 in New York City), 988 for mental health crises, Poison Control, 311 for City services, and hotlines for domestic violence, immigration questions and tenants.

Checked 8 Oct 2026
Applies to
Everyone in the United States; the 311 and City hotlines are specific to New York City.
Effort
Low effort
Time needed
Five minutes to save the numbers in your phone
Cost
Calls to 911, 988, Poison Control and 311 are free; text-to-911 needs a text or data plan.
When
On your first day
Where
New York City, United States
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. Emergencies – 911
  3. Mental health crisis – 988
  4. Poison Control – 1-800-222-1222
  5. City services and non-emergencies – 311
  6. Domestic and gender-based violence
  7. Immigration and legal help lines
  8. Watch out
  9. Tips
  10. Frequently asked questions
  11. Official links
  12. In your plan
  13. Sources
  14. Related guides

The United States has one emergency number, 911, for police, fire and ambulance, everywhere in the country and from any phone. Save the numbers below before you need them. In an emergency, give your exact address, including the borough in New York City, and stay on the line until the operator tells you to hang up.

Emergencies – 911

Call 911 to report an emergency that may endanger life or property: a crime in progress, a fire, a serious injury or a medical emergency such as chest pain or difficulty breathing.

Text-to-911 works in all five boroughs of New York City, in English and Spanish, for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, have a speech disability or cannot safely speak. Always call if you can and text only if you cannot. Text your full address, cross streets and borough, use complete words, and do not send photos, videos or emojis.

Mental health crisis – 988

Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, for free and confidential support in a mental health, emotional or substance use crisis, 24 hours a day. In New York City, phone counselors are available in more than 200 languages; text and chat are in English and Spanish. You do not need health insurance. Counselors can connect callers with services such as mobile crisis teams.

Poison Control – 1-800-222-1222

Free, confidential expert advice 24 hours a day if someone swallowed, inhaled or touched something that may be harmful. If the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be woken, call 911.

City services and non-emergencies – 311

In New York City, 311 is the line for non-emergency City services and complaints: no heat or hot water, noise, IDNYC appointments, the Tenant Helpline, health insurance enrollment help and much more. From outside the city, call 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675). You can also use the 311 website. 311 does not follow up on matters reported to 911.

Domestic and gender-based violence

  • NYC Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (1-800-621-4673), 24 hours, for safety planning, shelter and other help; TTY 1-866-604-5350.
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233), or text START to 88788; free, confidential, 24/7.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Immigration and legal help lines

  • MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline: 800-354-0365, or call 311 and say "Immigration Legal"; answers immigration policy questions and refers callers to free, City-funded legal help.
  • New York State Office for New Americans hotline: 1-800-566-7636, help in more than 200 languages, including referrals to free legal help and reporting of immigration scams.
  • Housing Court Answers: 718-557-1379 or 212-962-4795 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for tenants facing eviction; for an illegal lockout, call 911.

Watch out

Do not call 911 for non-emergencies; in New York City, use 311 instead.

Text-to-911 in New York City only works in English and Spanish; call if you can.

Tips

  • Save the numbers under clear names, for example "Emergency 911" and "NYC 311", and share them with children and visitors.
  • Learn your exact address, nearest cross streets and borough; operators need them.
  • Keep your health insurance card and a list of medicines and allergies in your wallet.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Will calling 911 or 988 cost money?

The calls are free. An ambulance ride or emergency treatment can be billed to you or your insurer later, but in a real emergency do not delay calling 911. 988 does not require insurance.

Can I get an interpreter when I call 911 or 988?

988 counselors in New York City can help by phone in more than 200 languages. Text-to-911 is only available in English and Spanish, so in other languages call 911.

In your plan

  • Save 911, 988, 311 and Poison Control in your phone

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 6 Apr 2027.

  1. City of New YorkOfficial source
    Text-to-911 (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  2. City of New York (NYC311)Official source
    911 Information (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  3. NYC Department of Health and Mental HygieneOfficial source
    988 – NYC Health (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  4. National Capital Poison Center (Poison Control)
    Poison Control – home page and contact (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  5. City of New York (IDNYC)Official source
    IDNYC – Frequently Asked Questions (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026

    Source for 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to reach 311 from outside the city.

  6. NYC Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based ViolenceOfficial source
    Get Help – Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  7. National Domestic Violence Hotline
    National Domestic Violence Hotline (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  8. NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant AffairsOfficial source
    MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  9. New York Department of StateOfficial source
    Office for New Americans (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  10. NYC Human Resources Administration – Office of Civil JusticeOfficial source
    Legal Services for Tenants (Right to Counsel) (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  11. NYC Department of Housing Preservation and DevelopmentOfficial source
    Good Cause Eviction (illegal lockouts – call 911) (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  12. City of New York (ACCESS NYC)Official source
    Qualified Health Plans (311 for health insurance help) (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026

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