News
Hundreds of Services Added to the 211 Database
Handled Calls in May Up Significantly from Last YearWashington 211 centers handled 80 percent more calls in May of this year than the same month last year. Nearly 30,000 callers had their questions answered and/or were referred to services last month compared to 16,432 during May 2019. Even when COVID hotline calls are removed, the…
Read MoreTwitter Rally Generated Tweets to Congress in Support of $150 Million
Twitter Rally and Storm Focuses on COVID FundingUnited Way Worldwide and the 211 Network collaborated on a Twitter Rally (Chat) using the hashtag #Team211 on Wednesday to generate tweets to Congress in support of $150 million request in the next Congressional relief package. 211 centers all over the country participated, sharing stories of collaboration, call…
Read MoreLatest Washington 211 News Growing Need for Housing Assistance
COVID-19 Hotline Callers Seek Clarifications on Returning to WorkGovernor Inslee’s recent announcement of a phased approach for re-opening the state’s economy appears to have prompted a bump in calls into the state’s COVID-19 hotline about getting back to work. The Washington 211 network has answered over 50,000 calls since early March through the statewide hotline number (1-800-525-0127).…
Read MoreWA 211 COVID-19 Response Update – No. 4
211 Answers Calls to Licensed Long Term Care FacilitiesStarting earlier in April, calls going to state-licensed aging and long-term care facilities regarding COVID-19 have been routed to 211 through the use of automated voice scripts based on the callers selection. Washington 211 is partnering with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to answer…
Read More211 Counts – Your Community’s Most Pressing Needs
Washington 211 Data Provides Insights from the State Level to Your Neighborhood You can now access the rich data that Washington 211 collects from 211 callers to learn what the most pressing needs are in your community online at “2-1-1 Counts”. 2-1-1 Counts is the first tool to provide real-time, searchable and visual presentations of data from…
Read MoreWA 211 COVID-19 Response Update – No. 3
The Washington 211 system roared like a lion into March as it saw its call activity more than double from the same month last year. Calls Go Up While Abandoned Call Rate PlummetsThe significant increase in call volume is due to the Washington 211 network handling calls from the Washington State Department of Health COVID-19…
Read MoreWA 211 COVID-19 Response Update – No. 2
The COVID-19 crisis has been a good test of Washington 211’s ability to ramp up to handle large volumes of calls in emergency situations. Two weeks ago, the Washington 211 Network began handling calls from the Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 hotline (1-800-525-0127). Here are the highlights: Over 30,000 Calls Have Been Made to the HotlineEvery…
Read MoreWA 211 COVID-19 Virus Response Update
Washington 211 Network Designated as Principle Call Center The Washington 211 (WA211) network has been designated and contracted by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to serve as the principal call center to provide information and referrals about the Coronavirus (COVID-19). At this time calls are being answered from the DOH 1-800-525-0127 number through the…
Read MoreNew Budget Includes 211 Equipment Upgrade
You Played an Important Role in Supporting our Call Centers! The state legislature has approved this week a supplemental operating budget that includes $200,000 for upgrading telecommunications and other equipment for Washington 211 call centers. While a modest request, supplemental budget requests can be difficult to get funded. Your work in reaching out to your legislators, whether…
Read More2019 Novel Coronavirus – What you should know!
The COVID-19 situation in Washington State and the United States is evolving rapidly as more becomes known about the virus, how it is spread, and how it effects people. For the most accurate and timely information on COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or monitor CDC social media channels. For the most up to date COVID-19…
Read MoreCommerce launches new, improved Retirement Marketplace
Updated web portal with user-friendly design features and more educational resources helps owners of small businesses and individuals easily shop for affordable, state-verified retirement savings plans. OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched the new Retirement Marketplace, a one-stop, easy-to-use website that helps owners of small businesses and individuals comparison shop for retirement savings plans. All plans on the marketplace are from…
Read MoreMillions of dollars in Earned Income Tax Credits go unclaimed each year – is some of it yours?
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is an important benefit for working people with low to moderate incomes, but you must file a federal tax return to get it, even if you owe no income tax.OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce reminds anyone earning up to $55,952 that they may be eligible…
Read More211 Lobby Day for 2020 Session
Dear 211 leaders and supporters, The Washington 211 Advocacy Day in Olympia will be February 11 (National 211 Day). Your full engagement in this day will play an important role in supporting our request for $222,000 in critical equipment and infrastructure upgrades. Key to the success of this day are legislator meetings. Call center managers…
Read MoreSouth Sound 2-1-1: Get Connected. Get Help.
“Thirty seconds into the phone call, there is a piercing scream that would give you tinnitus in your ear if you don’t already have it. J’nai Starks smiles. This isn’t new to her when she answers a call to South Sound 2-1-1.” –read more!
Read MoreWASHINGTON 2-1-1 IS TRANSITIONING TO A NEW DATABASE VENDOR
Big changes are coming to Washington 2-1-1! We are currently in the process of transitioning to a new database vendor for our community resources database. What does this mean for you, our users? We will be introducing a BRAND NEW search website which will launch in June 2019. Resource updates are currently -frozen-. During this…
Read More1 WEEK LEFT TO FILE YOUR TAXES
The clock is ticking…. 1 week left to submit your tax return to the IRS. Tax returns are due Monday April 15th 2019, but don’t worry, there are still free ways to file your taxes. Prepare yourself with MyFreeTaxes.comThe MyFreeTaxes.com partnership provides free state and federal tax preparation and filing assistance for qualified individuals. It’s easy, safe, secure…
Read MoreDON’T PAY TO FILE YOUR TAXES ONLINE
United Way partners with industry leader H&R Block to help people easily and accurately file both their federal and state taxes through MyFreeTaxesTM. MyFreeTaxes is mobile optimized so anyone can access MyFreeTaxes.com from their computer, tablet or smart phone. Most filers complete their taxes in less than hour. Read more to learn more about this program including: Don’t pay to file…
Read MoreFEBRUARY 11TH (2/11) IS NATIONAL 2-1-1 DAY!
Last year, 2-1-1 answered more than 12.8 million requests for help, on the phone, via text and web chat #211day. We’re here to help by making connections for healthier communities. Join us incelebrating #211day on Monday.
Read MoreJANUARY 25TH IS EARNED INCOME TAX AWARENESS DAY
Millions of dollars in Earned Income Tax Credits go unclaimed each year – is some of it yours? The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a benefit for working people with low- to moderate-incomes. Workers in Washington earning up to $54,884 may be eligible to receive the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), but…
Read MoreRESOURCES FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
For information on resources to support those impacted by Federal Government Shutdown, please dial the number 2-1-1 on your phone. If you are unable to connect using 2-1-1 please dial 1-877-211-9274 For information about shut down resources please read NATIONAL RESOURCE: http://211.org/services/govshutdown Via 211.org we have answered commonly asked questions regarding public benefits in an effort to dispel rumors.…
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