Last updated: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2020

For up-to-date information about where to get help related to COVID-19, click here.

How does 211 help service providers and planners?

211 helps service providers understand community needs and get accurate information about their programs to Albertans. Front-line workers can use 211 to help their clients get connected with community resources. 211 also helps planners and decision-makers by providing valuable information about the resources Albertans need and the services available in local communities, allowing unique insights that can inform planning and decision-making.

211 Alberta is committed to keeping the community informed about the needs of Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic. This page will be updated with more detailed information each business day, so check back for current information.

How many Albertans have contacted 211 about COVID-19?

Albertans have contacted 211 nearly 700 times in the last two weeks related to COVID-19 via phone, text or online chat. 211’s hub partners, Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Region and Distress Centre Calgary, have received over 400 contacts related to COVID-19 on through their crisis services.

What are people asking for related to COVID-19?

Here are the top 10 needs of those who have contacted 211 related to COVID-19:

  1. Information Services
  2. Food
  3. Tax Organizations and Services
  4. Health Supportive Services
  5. Housing/Shelter
  6. Individual and Family Support Services
  7. Temporary Financial Assistance
  8. Mental Health Assessment and Treatment
  9. Social Insurance Programs
  10. Government Administrative Offices

What needs aren’t being met in Alberta during the COVID-19 response?

Sometimes, when someone contacts 211, we do not have an appropriate resource to connect them with. For example, there may be no program found to meet that person’s need, an existing program may be temporarily unavailable, the waiting list may be full, or the individual may not be able to afford an available service. When this happens, we call it an “unmet” need.

Here are the top 10 unmet needs of those who contacted 211 related to COVID-19:

  1. Food
  2. Housing/Shelter
  3. Temporary Financial Assistance
  4. Tax Organizations and Services
  5. Individual and Family Support Services
  6. Legal Services
  7. Health Supportive Services
  8. Social Insurance Programs
  9. Public Assistance Programs
  10. Three needs were equally unmet. Those needs were Information Services, Health Assessment and Treatment, and Legal Assistance Modalities

A new needs summary will be posted each business day, so visit www.ab.211.ca and click “Daily Emerging Needs” for the most up-to-date version. To see a previous day’s summary, click here.