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Jargon Guide
Plain-English definitions
📖 The words that change everything
Social services use specific language that can determine whether you're eligible — and most of it isn't explained anywhere. This guide is built from real legwork: what the terms mean, why they matter, and what to watch out for.
✦ Look up any term
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This helps surface programs that are specifically designed for people in your situation. Programs that match your profile will show a ✦ matches you indicator.
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Real listings from Adzuna — direct links to apply.
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🏛 Federal (USAJobs)
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Get Help Now
You don't have to figure this out alone
📞 Call or text right now — free, confidential, 24/7
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, substance use — for you or someone you know
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 — any crisis, any time
National DV Hotline
Domestic violence, abuse, safety planning
Veterans Crisis Line
Veterans, service members, and their families
SAMHSA Helpline
Mental health & substance use treatment referrals
I need help today
I need a place to sleep tonight
Call 211 or text your zip to 898211 — they will find you an open shelter bed tonight. If you're under 25, call the Runaway & Homeless Youth hotline instead.
I need food today
Call 211 to find a food bank open today. Most food banks don't require ID or proof of address. You can also find pantries at feedingamerica.org.
I'm afraid to go to the ER because of the bill
Go. Hospitals legally cannot turn you away from emergency care or demand payment first. After treatment, apply for Charity Care — most hospitals offer it, and it can reduce or eliminate your bill entirely. You do not need to pay anything before applying. See "Know Your Rights" below.
My utilities are being shut off
Call 211 immediately — LIHEAP and emergency utility assistance programs exist in every state. Most have same-day or next-day help. Utilities must give advance notice before shutoff, and many states have shutoff protections.
I'm in danger right now
Call 911. If you can't speak safely, text 911 (where available) or call the National DV Hotline for safety planning without leaving your location.
I can't afford my medication
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about patient assistance programs — most major drug manufacturers offer them. NeedyMeds.org lists programs by drug name. Community health centers (FQHCs) can also prescribe generics on a sliding-scale basis.
Know your rights — right now
EMTALA
Hospitals must treat you in an emergency regardless of ability to pay. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act makes it illegal for any hospital with an ER to turn you away before you are stabilized — no matter what you owe, who you are, or whether you have insurance.
Charity Care
You can apply to have your hospital bill reduced or eliminated. Nonprofit hospitals are legally required to offer financial assistance programs. Ask the billing office before paying anything. Many programs cover 100% for incomes below 200–400% of the federal poverty line.
No Surprises Act
You cannot be billed by out-of-network providers you didn't choose. If you went to an in-network ER and got care from an out-of-network doctor, that bill is capped at your in-network cost-sharing. This became federal law in 2022.
Itemized Bill
You have the right to an itemized bill — always request one before paying. Medical billing errors are extremely common. A line-by-line breakdown often reveals duplicate charges or procedures never performed. Disputing errors can significantly reduce the amount owed.
Right to Refuse
You have the right to refuse or stop any medical treatment at any time. You also have the right to ask questions, request a second opinion, and receive information in your language. You cannot be penalized for asking.
This page is available without completing any intake or setup.
If you want help navigating services, programs, or housing — start here →
If you want help navigating services, programs, or housing — start here →
Income
⚡ Quick Income
🔬 Clinical Trials
⚡ Quick Income Options
Ways to earn money this week with low or no barrier to entry. These options involve fixed, established locations — no strangers, no apps required, no vehicle needed.
💉 Plasma Donation
Plasma centers pay new donors significantly more than returning donors — often $400–900 in your first month through new-donor bonuses. After that, rates drop to ~$30–60/session. You can donate up to twice per week. Each session takes 1–2 hours.
💡 New donor tip: The bonus structure resets at a different company's center. BioLife and CSL Plasma are separate companies — you can do a new-donor bonus at each one.
⚠️ What to bring: Valid photo ID, proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, etc.), and your Social Security number. Some centers require a brief physical on your first visit.
Plasma centers near you:
🩸 Blood & Platelet Donation
Whole blood donation typically comes with gift cards ($10–25) rather than cash, but it's fast (under an hour), requires very little, and some centers have strong incentive programs. Platelet donation takes longer (~2 hours) but compensates better at some locations.
💡 Vitalant and Blood Centers of the Pacific (Bay Area) have active donor reward programs. Incentives vary by location and blood type — rare types often get better offers.
⚠️ What to bring: Photo ID. You can donate whole blood every 56 days, platelets every 7 days (up to 24x/year). Eat a meal and drink water beforehand.
♻️ CRV Can & Bottle Recycling
In California, most beverage containers have a CRV (California Redemption Value) deposit — $0.05 for under 24oz, $0.10 for 24oz and larger. Bring them to a certified recycling center (not a grocery store) and get cash on the spot. No ID required.
💡 Volume is the game: Apartment complexes, parks, event venues, and recycling bins near convenience stores are good sources. Some people collect systematically from a regular route.
⚠️ Find a redemption center, not a grocery store: Grocery stores often refuse redemption or have limited hours. Dedicated recycling centers pay faster and take more volume. Search "CRV redemption center near me" or use the link below.
🔩 Scrap Metal & Salvage
Scrap yards buy metal by weight and pay cash or check on the spot. Aluminum, copper, and steel are the most common. You don't need a lot — a bag of aluminum cans, old appliances, or copper wire all have value. No ID required at most yards.
💡 What pays best: Copper wire and tubing fetch the most per pound (~$2–4/lb). Aluminum cans pay ~$0.40–0.60/lb. Steel and iron pay less (~$0.05–0.15/lb) but you can bring a lot of it.
💡 Where to find scrap: Curbside on trash day (appliances, bikes, metal furniture), construction sites (ask first), classified ads for free metal. Some people coordinate with neighbors to collect regularly.
⚠️ Call ahead: Yards vary on what they accept and their current buy prices. Prices fluctuate with commodity markets. Search "scrap metal yard near me" or use iScrap App to find local buyers.
🦺 Day Labor & Temp Staffing
Established staffing agencies can place you in same-day or next-day work — warehouse, moving, events, light construction. Pay is immediate or next-day. Bring ID. No resume required.
💡 Show up early. Most day labor centers assign work first-come, often starting at 5–6am. Wear work-appropriate clothes and closed-toe shoes.
📍 Worker centers vs. agencies: Nonprofit worker centers (common in Bay Area cities) are often safer and more worker-friendly than private day labor agencies. Ask at your local library or resource center if one exists nearby.
Labor Ready / TrueBlue
Nationwide. Walk in, register, work same day. Cash card or check.
Find Branch ↗Health
Healthcare & benefits
💊 Medication Cost Assistance
Many medications have assistance programs — manufacturer PAPs, state programs, and discount cards can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs. Enter a medication name to find options.
📌 Always-available resources
NeedyMeds.org ↗ — Free database of PAPs, discount cards, and diagnosis-based assistance. Covers thousands of medications.
RxAssist.org ↗ — Directory of manufacturer patient assistance programs searchable by drug name.
GoodRx.com ↗ — Free discount card accepted at most pharmacies. Often reduces generics to $4–10.
Rx Outreach ↗ — Non-profit mail-order pharmacy for low-income patients. 350+ medications at very low cost.
California Medi-Cal — If eligible, covers most prescriptions at little or no cost. Check eligibility ↗
Medicare Extra Help (LIS) — For Medicare enrollees with limited income. Reduces drug costs to $0–11/month. Apply ↗
Wins ⭐
Notes 📓
📓 Lessons Learned — a place for things you figured out navigating the system. Processes, workarounds, what worked, what didn't. Your personal reference, built over time.
Display
Closing-soon banner on Programs
Show a warning strip when a program is closing within 90 minutes
Wins bar: scrolling text
Animate wins as a scrolling marquee instead of cycling
Show completed tasks
Include done tasks in the task list
Auto-create task when adding
Automatically creates a follow-up task when you add a new program, apartment, or job application
Integrations
Anthropic API Key
Enables auto-fill from listing URLs using Claude web search — much more reliable than the default method. Get a key →
Profiles
Multiple profiles caseworker mode
Keep separate data environments — your own data stays untouched while you test with others.
Data
Export data
Download all your data as a JSON file
Import data
Load data from a previously exported JSON file. Merges with existing data.
Danger Zone
Reset all data
Permanently clear everything in the active profile and start fresh
Storage
Data is saved automatically to your browser's local storage after every change. It persists between sessions on this device and browser.
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Last saved: —
Feedback
Found something broken? Have an idea? We genuinely want to hear it — this app gets better when people say what's missing.
About Untangld
Untangld
A little slack. A little room. A little grace, even.
Untangld helps people navigate social services, housing programs, and support systems — turning an overwhelming tangle of resources into a clear, personal plan.
Built by Dana R. Jones ·