Last updated: June 18, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Nevada dealing with abuse, start with safety, then support. If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911 if it is safe to do so. For confidential support, you can call, chat, or text through the National DV Hotline. You can also search local Nevada help through Nevada 211 hotlines or the NCEDSV directory.
Nevada courts have official protection-order forms. The Nevada Self-Help Center says a domestic violence temporary protection order may last up to 45 days, and an extended order may last up to two years. A court, advocate, or legal-aid office can help you understand which form may fit your situation.
This guide is general information only. It is not legal advice, safety planning, medical advice, or a replacement for help from an advocate, attorney, court, police, doctor, counselor, or licensed professional. Use ASMOM’s national domestic violence guide for broader safety and support paths, but use Nevada sources for current state rules.
Urgent help now
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If calling could put you in more danger, move toward the safest help you can reach, such as a trusted neighbor, hospital, police station, school office, clinic, or local advocate.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233, chat online, or text START to 88788.
- Nevada local help: Search by ZIP code through Nevada 211 or the NCEDSV service directory.
- Sexual assault support: RAINN’s sexual assault hotline is 800-656-HOPE, also shown as 800-656-4673.
- Native survivors: StrongHearts Native Helpline serves Native American and Alaska Native survivors at 1-844-7NATIVE, also shown as 1-844-762-8483.
Internet, phone, email, app, and location use can be watched. Use a safer phone or computer when you can. The Hotline and many Nevada programs have safety-exit buttons, but clearing browser history may not remove all traces.
Where to start in Nevada
You do not have to solve every problem today. Pick the safest first step you can take. For many mothers, that means talking to an advocate before filing papers, moving, changing schools, or telling the other parent about plans.
If you need safety
Call a hotline or local program first. Shelter space can change daily. Ask about children, pets, medicine, documents, transportation, disability needs, and safe intake.
If you need court help
Use Nevada court forms, then ask a court self-help center, legal-aid office, or advocate whether the form fits your facts. Do not guess if safety, custody, or housing is at risk.
If money is the barrier
Apply for food, health coverage, cash, and child care through Access Nevada. Ask 211, a shelter advocate, or a Family Resource Center about food, diapers, gas, and other urgent needs.
If you need a plan
Use ASMOM’s family safety guide for related legal and safety topics, then talk with a Nevada advocate for local steps.
Quick reference
| Need | Start here | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | Call 911 if safe. | A hotline is not emergency response. |
| Talk safely | Call, chat, or text the Hotline. | There may be wait times. Use a safer device if needed. |
| Local shelter | Search Nevada 211 or NCEDSV. | Shelter space and intake rules change. |
| Protection order | Use Nevada court forms. | The right order depends on the relationship and facts. |
| Legal help | Try Nevada legal aid. | Legal aid may screen by income, conflict, and case type. |
| Benefits | Use Access Nevada. | Keep proof and answer notices quickly. |
Domestic violence programs in Nevada
Nevada has statewide and local programs that may help with crisis support, shelter screening, safety planning, counseling, legal advocacy, transportation, and referrals. What is available depends on your county, funding, safety needs, family size, accessibility needs, and whether a program has space.
- Statewide directory: The NCEDSV directory connects survivors with shelters, community advocacy, legal assistance, and sexual violence programs across Nevada.
- Local search: Nevada 211 services can help you look for hotlines, shelter, legal services, support groups, medical referrals, food, and transportation referrals.
- Clark County: SafeNest services and The Shade Tree serve survivors in Southern Nevada. Contact programs directly for current intake steps.
- Henderson area: S.A.F.E. House lists emergency shelter, counseling, personal and legal advocacy, housing, and outreach services.
- Reno/Sparks: Safe Embrace lists a 24/7 crisis helpline, emergency shelter, counseling, housing help, emergency transportation, and court support.
Do not assume a shelter can take you the same day. Ask what to do if the first program is full. If you are in a rural area, ask about nearby counties, transportation, motel options, or a safe way to talk again.
Protection orders in Nevada
A protection order is a court order that may tell someone to stay away from you, your home, your work, your school, or your children’s school. Nevada has more than one type of order. Choosing the wrong form can slow you down, so use official guidance or ask an advocate.
The Nevada DV orders page says domestic violence orders apply to certain family, household, dating, former dating, co-parent, and similar relationships. It also says a temporary protection order may last up to 45 days, and an extended order may last up to two years.
| Situation | Possible route | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Abuse by a spouse, ex, co-parent, dating partner, or close family member | Domestic violence protection order | Nevada Self-Help Center |
| Stalking or harassment by someone not covered by DV forms | Stalking or harassment order | Nevada protection forms |
| Sexual assault | Sexual assault protection order | Nevada protection forms |
| Clark County | Family Court for DV orders | Clark protection orders |
| Washoe County | Family Division help and filing options | Washoe DV orders |
The Nevada Judiciary also lists official statewide protection-order forms through its protection order overview. Some counties have extra local filing steps. Ask the court clerk, self-help center, or advocate how to file in your county.
Legal safety note
A protection order can help, but it is not right or safe for every situation. An advocate or attorney can help you think through service of papers, children, custody, firearms concerns, housing, work, school, and what to do if the order is violated.
Housing safety, leases, and address privacy
If you need to leave your home, start with an advocate, legal aid, or 211. Nevada law gives some housing protections to survivors of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking, but you should confirm the exact steps before you give notice to a landlord.
The official Nevada landlord-tenant law is in NRS Chapter 118A. That law includes lease termination rights for some survivors when the acts happened within the time window listed in the statute and the tenant gives written notice with required support. A legal-aid office can help you avoid mistakes with timing, proof, rent, deposits, locks, and safe contact information.
Nevada’s Confidential Address Program helps eligible victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking by giving a fictitious address and confidential mail forwarding. The state says CAP is not emergency housing. Applications are completed through certified agencies.
If you need help with rent, shelter, moving, or utility shutoff, see ASMOM’s Nevada housing help, Nevada emergency help, and transportation help. For safety moves, talk with a local advocate or legal-aid office before sending papers if you can do that safely.
Food, cash, child care, and health coverage
Leaving abuse can create fast money problems. You may need food, diapers, gas, child care, health coverage, phone service, or help replacing documents. Nevada’s public benefit portal is Access Nevada, which is used to apply for and manage benefits online.
| Program | What it may help with | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Food benefits for eligible households | Nevada SNAP |
| TANF | Cash help for eligible families with children | Access Nevada |
| Medicaid | Health coverage for eligible adults and children | Nevada Medicaid |
| WIC | Food and nutrition help for pregnant people, new mothers, babies, and children under 5 | Nevada WIC |
| Child care subsidy | Help paying for child care if eligible | Child care parents |
| Victim compensation | Possible help with some crime-related costs | Victim compensation |
The Nevada SNAP page says households with little or no money should tell the Social Services Office if they need food right away. If you apply for TANF or Medicaid, ask if you can apply for SNAP at the same time. If you left home for safety, tell the office if you cannot access normal papers, money, or mail.
ASMOM has related pages for Nevada SNAP, Nevada TANF, Nevada WIC help, Nevada child care, free baby items, and phone and internet.
When you apply
Tell the benefits office if you left home for safety, lost documents, changed addresses, or cannot safely get proof from the other parent. Ask what alternate proof they accept and how to list a safe phone or mailing address.
Legal aid and child-related issues
Domestic violence can affect custody, visitation, child support, housing, public benefits, immigration, taxes, debt, and school safety. Do not rely on general advice from friends or social media. Ask a legal-aid office, court self-help center, or attorney about your case.
The Nevada Self-Help Center lists legal resources, including Nevada Legal Services, Northern Nevada Legal Aid, Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, and other legal-help programs. In Southern Nevada, Legal Aid Center says it assists victims of domestic violence with divorce, custody, and temporary protective order cases.
If child support is part of your safety or budget problem, ask about safe contact information before filing or updating a case. ASMOM’s Nevada legal help page can help you plan questions, but a Nevada legal-aid office or attorney should guide case decisions when safety is involved.
Documents and information checklist
You may not have all papers, and that is common. Do not go back into danger to get documents. Ask advocates, courts, and benefit offices what alternate proof they accept. Use ASMOM’s documents checklist for a broader benefits paperwork list.
| For | Helpful information | If you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter or advocacy | Names, ages of children, pets, medicine, safe contact method | Ask what can be handled at intake. |
| Protection order | Dates, threats, injuries, police reports, messages, child safety concerns | Ask the court what proof is optional or required. |
| Benefits | ID, address, income, rent, utility costs, child care costs | Ask DWSS about alternate proof. |
| Lease or lock help | Lease, landlord contact, protection order, police report, or affidavit | Call legal aid before sending notice. |
| School or child care | Emergency contacts, custody papers, protection order, pickup limits | Ask how to protect records and pickup lists. |
If you are denied, delayed, or ignored
If a shelter is full, ask the advocate to help you call another county, Nevada 211, a sexual assault program, a family justice partner, or a trusted local program. Ask whether there are transportation, motel, rural-area, pet, disability, or child-related options.
If legal aid cannot take your case, ask for a referral, forms clinic, court self-help center, bar referral, or another legal-aid group. If a benefits application is denied, delayed, or closed, read the notice and keep a copy. Ask what proof is missing and how to appeal or fix the case. ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize next steps.
If local help is hard to find, check ASMOM’s Community Action help and Nevada resource page. These pages can help with food, rent, utilities, transportation, and local referrals while you work with a domestic violence advocate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for perfect proof. Ask an advocate or court what you can file with now and what can be added later.
- Using the wrong form. Nevada has different protection orders for different relationships and harms.
- Giving a landlord notice too fast. Lease termination and lock requests can affect rent, deposits, and safety.
- Using unsafe contact information. Ask agencies to list a safe phone, email, mailing address, or advocate contact.
- Ignoring benefits mail. Notices may ask for proof or an interview. Missing deadlines can delay help.
- Assuming shelter is open. Programs may be full. Ask for backup counties, transportation, and safety referrals.
Phone scripts
Calling a hotline or shelter
“I am a mother in Nevada and I may need domestic violence help. I have children with me. Can you tell me what services are available today, whether shelter screening is possible, and what backup options I have if there is no space?”
Calling a court self-help center
“I need information about protection orders. I am not sure which form fits my situation. Can you tell me where to file, what forms I need, and whether there is help for people with children?”
Calling legal aid
“I am dealing with domestic violence and need legal help with safety, housing, or child-related issues. Do you screen for these cases, and what information should I have ready?”
Calling DWSS
“I left home for safety and need help with food, health coverage, cash, or child care. I may not have all documents. What proof can I use, and how can I give you a safe address or phone number?”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911 si puede hacerlo de manera segura. Para apoyo confidencial, puede llamar a la Línea Nacional de Violencia Doméstica al 1-800-799-7233, chatear en línea, o enviar START al 88788.
En Nevada, también puede buscar ayuda local por Nevada 211 o por el directorio de NCEDSV. Puede haber ayuda con refugio, órdenes de protección, vivienda, comida, cuidado de niños, Medicaid, TANF, WIC y compensación para víctimas.
Si es posible, hable con una defensora o una oficina de ayuda legal antes de tomar pasos que puedan afectar su seguridad, vivienda, custodia o beneficios.
FAQ
What should I do first if I am unsafe in Nevada?
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911 if it is safe. If you need confidential support or local referrals, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Nevada 211, or a local domestic violence program.
Can a single mother get shelter with children?
Many domestic violence programs serve survivors with children, but space, intake rules, and services change. Call first when possible and ask about children, pets, transportation, and backup options.
How long can a Nevada protection order last?
The Nevada Self-Help Center says a temporary domestic violence protection order may last up to 45 days, and an extended order may last up to two years. The court decides based on the case.
Can I break a lease because of domestic violence in Nevada?
Nevada has tenant protections for some survivors of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking. Talk to an advocate or legal aid before giving notice so you understand proof and timing rules.
Can I apply for SNAP or Medicaid after leaving abuse?
Yes. You can apply through Access Nevada. Tell DWSS if you left home for safety, lost access to money, or do not have normal documents, and ask what alternate proof they accept.
Is the Confidential Address Program a shelter?
No. Nevada’s Confidential Address Program provides a fictitious address and confidential mail forwarding for eligible survivors. It does not provide emergency housing.
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 18, 2026, next review September 18, 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.