Last updated: June 19, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother, single parent, pregnant mother, caregiver, or low-income family member in Minnesota and abuse is happening, start with safety support before paperwork. Minnesota Day One is the statewide 24/7 crisis line for domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and other crime victim support. You can call 1-866-223-1111 or text 612-399-9995.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are in a mental health crisis, suicide crisis, or severe emotional distress, call or text 988 Lifeline. If it is safe to reach out, a trained advocate can help you think through shelter, safer contact, court options, children, pets, transportation, benefits, and local programs.
This guide is general information. It is not legal advice or a safety plan. Domestic violence can involve physical harm, threats, stalking, sexual violence, financial control, immigration threats, digital tracking, isolation, or harm to children and pets. A local advocate or attorney can help you decide what is safest for your situation.
Urgent help in Minnesota
- Immediate danger: Call 911 if it is safe to do so.
- Minnesota shelter and advocacy: Call Day One at 1-866-223-1111, text 612-399-9995, or use online chat when it is safe.
- National backup hotline: Call the National Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, chat online, or text START to 88788.
- Local basic needs: Call United Way 211, call 800-543-7709, or text your ZIP code to 898-211 for food, rent, diapers, transportation, shelter, and local referrals.
- Address privacy: Minnesota Safe at Home may help some survivors use a substitute address after they move or plan to move.
If your phone, computer, email, or location may be monitored, use the safest contact method you can. That may mean using a trusted phone, asking an advocate about safe communication, or calling from a public or trusted place. Do not make sudden changes to devices or accounts if that could increase danger.
Where to start
You do not need to fix everything in one day. Pick the safest first step. If calling is not safe, texting or chat may be better. If texting is not safe, an advocate can help you think through another option.
You need a safe place
Call or text Day One and ask about shelter, hotel options, transportation, children, pets, medicine, disability needs, and an advocate near your county.
You need court protection
Review the Minnesota courts page about Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders. Ask an advocate for help before filing if court contact could increase risk.
You need food or rent
Use MNbenefits to apply for food, cash, emergency help, housing support, and child care help. Tell the worker if abuse affects paperwork or safe contact.
You need legal help
LawHelp Minnesota can help you find legal information, forms, and civil legal aid. Standpoint also helps Minnesota survivors and professionals.
For a broader next step, use ASMOM’s domestic violence guide and Minnesota help hub.
Quick contacts
| Need | Where to start | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence shelter or advocate | Day One, 1-866-223-1111 or text 612-399-9995 | Ask for confidential advocacy, shelter options, safe contact, transportation, and children’s needs. |
| Nearby program | program directory | Search by county and ask what services are open today. |
| Court order | Minnesota Judicial Branch | Ask about an OFP, HRO, interpreter, fee waiver, and address privacy. |
| Housing safety | Safe at Home or housing advocate | Ask about address privacy, VAWA rights, emergency transfer, and lease options. |
| Crime-related costs | victim resources | Ask about reimbursement, victim advocacy, notification, and local help. |
| Offender release notice | Minnesota Haven | Ask how to register for custody or release notifications if there is a state prison case. |
Shelter and advocacy
Day One is often the fastest statewide starting point because it can connect you to programs across Minnesota. It serves people dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, general crime, or unsafe relationships. Day One says advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and interpreter help is available.
A local advocate may help you talk through shelter, transportation, court forms, school changes, child needs, pet safety, medical needs, and safe communication. You do not need a police report or court order before calling an advocate.
Reality check
Shelter space can change by the hour. If the first option is full, ask about another county, hotel help, transportation, culturally specific programs, mobile advocacy, pet options, or safety planning while you stay somewhere else.
Court protection in Minnesota
Minnesota courts explain two common civil orders: an Order for Protection, often called an OFP, and a Harassment Restraining Order, often called an HRO. An OFP is for domestic abuse by a family or household member under Minnesota law. An HRO may be used for harassment, stalking, or unwanted acts when the relationship does not fit OFP rules.
You can get official court forms from the Minnesota Judicial Branch. The court says Minnesota Guide & File can create forms for an OFP or HRO and let you file electronically or print them. Ask the court about interpreters, fee waivers when available, and how to keep your address out of the public court file.
A Domestic Abuse No Contact Order, or DANCO, is different. It is usually part of a criminal case, not something you file on your own. If there is a criminal case, ask the prosecutor, victim advocate, or court clerk what orders are already in place.
| Protection path | May help when | Where to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Order for Protection | The abuse is from a family member, household member, current partner, former partner, or person covered by Minnesota domestic abuse law. | Ask the court, a local advocate, or legal aid. |
| Harassment Restraining Order | The person is harassing, stalking, or using unwanted acts that affect your safety or privacy. | Ask the court about HRO forms and fees. |
| DANCO | There is a criminal case involving domestic abuse or a related offense. | Ask the prosecutor, victim advocate, or court clerk. |
| Firearm safety issue | You are worried about firearm danger to you, your child, or others. | Ask an advocate, attorney, or court about current Minnesota options. |
Court mistakes to avoid
- Do not assume the court knows about children, pets, school, work, weapons, or address concerns unless you ask clearly on the forms.
- Do not list an unsafe address in a public form if the court gives a safer way to provide it.
- Do not rely only on verbal promises from the other person. Ask what the written order says.
- Do not skip a hearing without asking the court or an advocate what options exist.
For more legal starting points, read ASMOM’s Minnesota legal help page.
Housing and address safety
If you need to leave your home, call Day One first when it is safe. If you are in subsidized housing, public housing, or a Housing Choice Voucher program, federal VAWA rules may protect you from being denied housing, evicted, or terminated because of violence against you. Minnesota Housing explains VAWA housing rights, including emergency transfer, confidentiality, and lease bifurcation protections in covered housing.
Minnesota also has a rental law for some survivors who need to end a lease because of safety. The state lease law says a tenant may terminate a residential lease without penalty when the required steps and documents apply after domestic abuse, criminal sexual conduct, sexual extortion, or harassment. Talk with legal aid or an advocate before using this if you are unsure what notice or proof is required.
Safe at Home is Minnesota’s address confidentiality program. It can give eligible participants a substitute mailing address and mail forwarding to help keep a real home address private. It is not a shelter and does not replace safety planning, but it may help with schools, records, mail, and public documents after a move.
If housing help is delayed
Ask 211 about shelter, Coordinated Entry, Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program contacts, county emergency help, Community Action agencies, and local charities. You can also review ASMOM’s Minnesota housing help.
Money, food, child care, and work
Abuse often affects money, food, work, phones, transportation, and child care. Minnesota’s online benefit application is MNbenefits. It can be used for several safety-net programs, but your county or Tribal Nation usually reviews the case.
| Need | Program | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Food | SNAP program | Ask about expedited help if food is urgent. |
| Pregnancy or child under 5 | Minnesota WIC | Ask about nutrition help, breastfeeding support, formula questions, and referrals. |
| Emergency cash | Emergency Assistance | Ask your county or Tribal Nation what emergencies are covered and what proof is safe to provide. |
| Cash aid | MFIP | Ask about the MFIP waiver if family violence affects work rules or safety. |
| Child care | child care program | Ask if care can help you work, look for work, go to school, attend court, or handle safety needs. |
| Time off work | sick and safe time | Ask whether your job allows safe time for domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking needs. |
Related ASMOM guides can help you go deeper: Minnesota food help, Minnesota TANF, child care help, Minnesota WIC help, and utility help.
Benefit tip
If a benefits worker asks for information that is unsafe or hard to get, say you are dealing with family violence and ask what safe verification options exist. If you receive MFIP, ask directly about family violence provisions.
Children, health care, and child support
If your child’s school, child care program, or clinic needs to know about custody, pickup rules, or court orders, give only what is needed and ask how they protect private records. If your address must stay private, ask about Safe at Home and court address privacy before sharing it widely.
For health coverage, Medical Assistance is Minnesota’s Medicaid program for people with low income, including many families with children and pregnant women. MNsure’s MA and MinnesotaCare page can also help you apply with financial help.
If you need counseling, trauma support, or crisis support, ask Day One, your clinic, county human services, or 988 for options. Local advocates may know providers who understand domestic abuse, sexual assault, child trauma, disability, immigration concerns, or culturally specific needs.
ASMOM has related guides on Minnesota health coverage, mental health help, and child support help. If pursuing child support could increase danger, ask a benefits worker or legal aid about good-cause rules before taking action.
Documents and information checklist
Do not delay calling for help because you do not have every paper. Bring or upload what you can safely access. If the other person controls papers, money, mail, or devices, tell the advocate or worker.
| Need | Helpful information | Safety note |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter or advocate | County, safe callback method, children’s ages, pets, disability needs, language needs. | Say if calls, texts, email, mail, or voicemail are unsafe. |
| Court order | Dates or examples of abuse, police report numbers if any, child safety concerns, addresses to keep private. | Ask the court how to protect your address. |
| Benefits | ID, income, rent, utilities, child care costs, household members, and notices. | Ask for safe verification if papers are controlled by the other person. |
| Housing rights | Lease, notices, voucher papers, landlord messages, and safety-related documents. | Talk to legal aid before sending unsafe notices. |
| Crime costs | Crime date, bills, receipts, insurance information, wage proof, and advocate contact. | Ask an advocate to help gather records safely. |
For a wider list, use ASMOM’s documents checklist.
Watchouts and common mistakes
- Waiting for proof before calling. Advocates can talk with you even if you do not have police reports, court papers, or ID ready.
- Assuming every program is statewide. Some help is county-based, Tribal Nation-based, city-based, or limited by funding.
- Using unsafe contact methods. Tell every agency how they can safely contact you.
- Missing benefits notices. If mail is unsafe or unstable, ask about online notices or a safe mailing address.
- Thinking a denial is final. Many benefits, housing, and court decisions have appeal or review options with deadlines.
- Posting plans online. Social media, shared accounts, and location settings can create risk. Ask an advocate about safer communication.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If an agency says no, ask for the denial in writing and the appeal deadline. If a county, landlord, school, or benefits office does not respond, write down the date and time, call back, and ask for a supervisor, advocate, or appeal information.
For benefits problems, ASMOM’s benefits problem guide explains basic steps for notices, missing proof, and deadlines. For legal help, try LawHelp Minnesota, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Central Minnesota Legal Services, or Minnesota Legal Advice Online.
Standpoint provides legal advice, advocacy, and support for Minnesota survivors and professionals dealing with domestic and sexual violence. If a crime caused medical bills, counseling needs, lost wages, or other costs, ask an advocate about the Minnesota Crime Victims Reimbursement Program and whether it fits your situation.
Backup options while you wait
If you are waiting for shelter, court, benefits, or legal help, call 211 and ask for more than one option. Ask about food shelves, diapers, transportation, motel vouchers if available, county emergency assistance, Community Action, school help, child care, and local programs that serve your ZIP code.
If you need a broader plan, ASMOM’s Minnesota help guide can help with food, cash, health coverage, child care, housing, and local support.
Phone scripts
Calling Day One
Hello, I am a single mom in Minnesota and I do not feel safe. I need to talk with an advocate about shelter, transportation, and what to do with my children. Calls or texts may not be safe for me. What are my options?
Calling the court
Hello, I need information about filing for an Order for Protection or Harassment Restraining Order. I also need to keep my address private. Can you tell me which forms to use and how to ask for address confidentiality?
Calling county benefits
Hello, I applied through MNbenefits and I am dealing with domestic violence. I need food, emergency help, and child care. What safe verification can I use if I cannot get documents from the other parent?
Calling a housing office
Hello, I am a survivor in covered housing or voucher housing. I need to ask about VAWA protections, emergency transfer, lease bifurcation, and keeping my information confidential. Who handles these requests?
Resumen en español
Si está en peligro inmediato en Minnesota, llame al 911 si puede hacerlo con seguridad. Para ayuda por violencia doméstica, violencia sexual, trata o una relación insegura, llame a Minnesota Day One al 1-866-223-1111 o mande texto al 612-399-9995.
Puede pedir ayuda para refugio, transporte, seguridad, corte, beneficios, vivienda y servicios locales. Si necesita comida, dinero de emergencia, cuidado infantil o vivienda, puede solicitar varios beneficios en MNbenefits. Si su dirección no es segura, pregunte sobre Safe at Home y hable con una defensora antes de llenar formularios públicos.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if I am not safe in Minnesota?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. If you can reach out safely, call Minnesota Day One at 1-866-223-1111 or text 612-399-9995 for shelter, advocacy, and local support.
Can I get help if I am not ready to file a police report?
Yes. You can call a domestic violence advocate for support and options even if you are not ready to report to police or file in court.
What is an Order for Protection in Minnesota?
An Order for Protection is a civil court order that may help protect someone from domestic abuse by a family or household member. The Minnesota Judicial Branch has official information and forms.
Can I keep my address private?
Maybe. Minnesota Safe at Home may help eligible survivors use a substitute mailing address. Courts may also have ways to keep an address out of the public file. Ask before writing your address on forms.
Can domestic violence affect my benefits case?
It can. If you receive MFIP or are applying for help, tell the worker if domestic violence affects work rules, child support cooperation, paperwork, or safe contact. Ask about family violence provisions and appeal rights.
Where can I get free legal help?
Start with LawHelp Minnesota, Standpoint, or a local legal aid office. A domestic violence advocate may also know legal clinics or attorneys that help with OFPs, housing, custody, and benefits.
What if shelter is full?
Ask the advocate about other counties, hotel help if available, transportation, mobile advocacy, pet options, culturally specific programs, and 211 referrals while you keep looking for a safer option.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 19, 2026, next review September 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.