About 211 Answers, Please! The Department of Human Services 211 Answers, Please! program links residents of the District of Columbia with a network of government and community social service providers. 211 Answers, Please! specializes in referrals that meet essential human needs for food, shelter, financial assistance, and healthcare. DC residents may access information 24-hours a day, seven days a week, by dialing our 211 Answers, Please! call center at (202) 463-6211. Community Resource Advisors answer our hotline and provide confidential telephone support, crisis intervention, referral assistance, and a direct link to social service support along with detailed program information such as eligibility criteria, hours of operation, intake procedure, and other prerequisites. 211 Answers, Please! also provides assistance in 140 languages on its multilingual language line. 211 Answers, Please! Online offers the public direct access to our list of participating service providers on the Internet. By incorporating the latest web technology and the District's GIS system, users may locate programs alphabetically, by program name, by keyword, or by closest proximity to an address.