Delaware residents can now dial 211 for non-emergency, health and social services.

The 211 service links callers to health and human service providers who can assist with such issues as rent assistance, food banks, affordable housing, health resources, mental health resources, child care, after-school programs, care for senior citizens, financial assistance, legal assistance, job training programs and more.

The calls are answered by trained staff to assess callers' needs quickly and refer them to the most appropriate assistance.

The 211 service is offered by Delaware Helpline with support from United Way of Delaware, the state of Delaware, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Call the line from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Delaware Helpline information and referral service has been in operation since 1996. The new 211 number is bilingual and can help callers in English or Spanish.

The 211 number is not a replacement for 911, which should always be used for life and death emergencies.