If you’re trying to leave an abusive situation, moving safely and quickly can feel overwhelming—especially if money is tight. Some moving companies offer free or discounted services for survivors of domestic violence to help them get out of unsafe housing quickly. Financial assistance is also available, further empowering people to leave toxic situations.
This guide explores how to find help near you, safety planning for your moving day, free moving companies, and financial assistance options.
How to Find Domestic Violence Help With Moving Near You
If you need help relocating for your safety, you should be aware that many communities have quiet, multi-agency partnerships to help survivors move. Support is quick and discreet. To find services and partnerships like these, start with local connections and ask directly about relocation assistance, emergency moving funds, or confidential transport.
“Additionally, you should coordinate with movers and let them know this is a sensitive situation; this ensures their discretion. Many moving companies have experience with this, so don’t be hesitant to start this conversation.”
Before starting an online search, consider your digital safety. Some abusers monitor calls, texts, browsing history, or even GPS location. If you’re unsure whether your device is secure, use a safer option like a trusted friend’s device, a burner phone, or a public library computer when researching help. Always delete relevant browsing history, too.
Starting points for finding moving support include:
- Calling 211: In most parts of the USA, 211 connects with local social services. Ask specifically about domestic violence relocation or moving assistance programs.
- Asking shelters about moving partnerships: Domestic violence shelters often work with moving companies, storage facilities, and/or volunteer drivers who provide free or reduced-cost relocation help.
- Locating volunteer networks: Community mutual aid groups, neighborhood volunteer pages, or survivor advocacy networks may offer discreet packing, transport, or temporary housing support.
- Contacting local nonprofits: Search for women’s centers, family crisis centers, or victim advocacy groups in your area. Many have emergency relocation funds.
- Considering faith-based help: Churches, mosques, temples, and interfaith groups sometimes provide emergency financial assistance, moving volunteers, or temporary safe housing.
- Finding state relocation programs: Some states offer crime victim compensation funds that cover moving costs for those at risk. Contact your state’s crime victim services office to learn more.
- Using temporary storage options: Ask about short-term storage donated by local companies, storage-fee vouchers, or emergency warehouse partnerships through shelters. This allows you to get away quickly and keep your possessions safe during an interim move.
Safe Search Phrases to Use
When searching online on a safe device, find support by using phrases like:
- “Domestic violence relocation assistance near me”
- “Emergency moving help for abuse survivors [your city/state]”
- “Crime victim compensation moving costs [your state]”
- “Confidential shelter relocation program [your county]”
- “DV relocation assistance in [your city/state]”
- “Free moving help for DV survivors in [your city/state]”
- “Financial help for escaping DV near me”
- “Practical support for fleeing domestic violence in [your city/state]”
- “DV help in [your city/state]”
- “Organizations that help DV survivors in [your city/state]”
Companies That Offer Free Moving Services
Around the United States, several movers provide free relocation services for survivors of domestic abuse. Many of them are based only in a certain region. These include:
Southern and Central California
Company: Meathead Movers
How to apply: Contact one of the partner shelters that coordinates moves with Meathead Movers to move people within their service areas of San Luis Obispo, Ventura County, Orange County, Fresno, and Bakersfield. Partner shelters include:
Requirements: Referral via partner shelter, which assesses individual needs.
Website: meatheadmovers.com
Phone number: 866-442-4657
Southeast Minnesota and Southwest Wisconsin
Company: Day Makers Moving & Storage
How to apply: Contact Community Referral Agency Shelter (CRASH) for a referral.
Requirements: Referral via partner shelter, which assesses individual needs.
Website: daymakersmoving.com
Phone number: 715-200-3272 / 615-235-6163 / 651-371-4248 / 615-235-6163
Austin, Texas
Company: Einstein Moving Co.
How to apply: Contact Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE) for a referral.
Requirements: Referral via partner shelter, which assesses individual needs.
Website: einsteinmoving.com
Phone number: N/A
Arlington / Fort Worth, Texas
Company: Veterans Moving America
How to apply: Contact The Archway (formerly known as SafeHaven) for a referral.
Requirements: Referral via partner shelter, which assesses individual needs.
Website: veteransmovingamerica.com
Phone number: 817-989-6362
Maryland
Company: Movers on Duty
How to apply: Complete the online form.
Requirements: Applicant must be working with a support organization, such as a local shelter or non-profit, for free moving assistance. However, the company also offers discounted moving services for survivors of domestic violence based on individualized case plans.
Website: moversonduty.com
Phone number: 301-512-5012
New York City
Company: Adonis NYC Movers
How to apply: Telephone the company or send an email to info@adonisnycmovers.com.
Requirements: Must have a police report or a current order of protection. If the company cannot offer a free move, they also provide low-cost assistance for survivors of domestic violence.
Website: adonisnycmovers.com
Phone number: 347-785-5769
If you don’t see a company near where you live, search for movers in your area. Or, call a local company and ask if they have any connections or knowledge of a similar service. Moving companies typically offer services via local shelters and don’t work directly with the public. Call shelters in your area and ask whether they refer to moving companies for free services.
How to Move Out Safely From a Domestic Violence Situation
If you’re trying to leave an abusive relationship, there are resources to help you find a safer living situation. While HireAHelper isn’t a direct crisis service, we believe in providing helpful information so you have as much support as possible when you’re ready to move.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare and execute a safe exit strategy if you or your loved ones are experiencing domestic violence:
1. Know Important Crisis and Helpline Numbers
If at any point you feel you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, here are additional hotlines and support services that offer free, confidential assistance:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224 (for deaf/hard of hearing), text“START” to 88788, or visit their website
- National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline: Connect with the ASL hotline at 1-855-812-1001, email nationaldeafhotline@adwas.org, or visit their website
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Call 1-800-422-4453, text “GO” to 800-422-4453, or visit their website
- RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline): Call1-800-656-HOPE (4673), text “HOPE” to 64673, or visit their website
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 from a regular phone or videophone or TTY 711 then 988, text 988, or visit their website for online chat
- Loveisrespect (Teens/Young Adults): Call 1-866-331-9474, text “LOVEIS” to 22522, or visit their website
- New York City Anti-Violence Project (LGBTQ+): Call 1-212-714-1141 or visit their website
- Family Advocacy Program (for active-duty military members and their families) Contact your local Family Advocacy Program office
If you’re reading this from outside the U.S., you can find global hotlines at the International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies.
2. Contact a Domestic Violence Advocate or Shelter Immediately
If you’re weighing your options, talking to someone who understands what you’re going through can make a huge difference. Trained advocates offer warmth, empathy, and practical help. They can also explain what resources are available in your area and help you figure out the next step.
Here are some typical services many hotlines and shelters provide:
- 24/7 emergency hotlines
- Housing and shelter referrals
- Legal advocacy (for example, help obtaining protective orders)
- Counseling and safety planning
Many local domestic violence shelters have on-call advocates and emergency housing available. You can search for shelters at DomesticShelters.org or dial 211 for local referrals.
If you aren’t ready to leave right away, talking with a professional can give you clarity, hope, and a much-needed listening ear.
3. Create a Concrete Exit Strategy
Thinking about leaving can be scary, but making a simple plan can help you feel more in control of your future. Even small steps can boost your confidence and keep you safer when the time to leave arrives:
- Mark a physical calendar with a tentative move-out date or range of days
- Consider times when your abuser is less likely to notice (for example, when they’re at work)
- Consider who you trust to keep your location confidential
- Emergency shelters can be lifesaving when you need immediate refuge
- If finances allow, choose a place where you’ll be harder to locate (like hotels and motels)
4. Secure Financial Resources
Financial control is a common tool of abusers, which can make leaving seem impossible. Remember, there are small yet meaningful ways to gain financial footing, even if it feels overwhelming:
- Use a different bank than your abuser
- If physical access is an issue, look into an online-only bank you can set up with minimal paperwork
- Hide money in safe, unexpected places
- Ask a trusted friend or relative to hold onto what you’ve saved
Local shelters or nonprofits sometimes have emergency funds or microgrants for survivors. Check with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)—you might be eligible for additional support.
5. Gather and Store Vital Documents
Having your essential paperwork in order can spare you significant stress later. Even just making copies and tucking them away can be a powerful first step toward independence. Collect the following:
- Birth certificates and social security cards
- Driver’s licenses or photo IDs
- Insurance documents (health, car, home)
- Protective or divorce papers, custody orders
- Medical records for you and any children
- Bank statements, credit cards, and financial documents
- Evidence of abuse (photos, police/medical reports)
Store these items in a discreet folder or bag. If it’s safe, you can also scan and upload them to a secure cloud folder (Google Drive or Dropbox) with a strong password your abuser can’t guess.
6. Arrange School and Childcare Permissions
Worrying about children’s safety is often one of the biggest hurdles in leaving. Give yourself credit for protecting them, and know there are systems that can help. Here’s what to do if you also need to leave with children:
- Add or remove pick-up permissions at your child’s school or daycare
- Alert school officials if you have a protective order; provide a copy if possible
- Set up a secret password with your kids (if they are old enough) so they know who is safe
7. Shield Your Digital Footprint
Many abusers track phone calls, texts, browsing history, or even your location through GPS or “spyware” apps. It’s understandable to feel nervous about technology in this situation, but there are ways to protect yourself.
- Use a safe device, like a friend’s phone or a public-access computer, for sensitive research
- Turn off location services on social media and messaging apps
- Get a new or prepaid phone if you suspect your current one is compromised
- Delete your search history and use incognito browsing windows, or clear your browser cache regularly
- Update passwords with questions only you can answer (avoid shared memories or guessable info)
For more detailed tech safety help, visit the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s (NNEDV’s) Safety Net Project. You have a right to communicate freely without being watched or threatened.
8. Plan for Move Day
Try to streamline as much as possible when moving day arrives. Make checklists, enlist friends to help, and coordinate as quietly as you can.
- Secure weapons, if any, are in the home, or remove them if you can safely do so
- Change online logins and passwords right before leaving
- Disable your car GPS if your abuser might be tracking you
- Prepare an emergency bag with medications, clothes, important documents, chargers, and cash
Additionally, you should coordinate with movers and let them know this is a sensitive situation; this ensures their discretion. Many moving companies have experience with this, so don’t be hesitant to start this conversation. If you feel more comfortable, a friend or caseworker may speak on your behalf. If you’re working with a shelter or other domestic violence organization, they often deal with movers for you. In sensitive cases, it’s important for movers to know specific information, for your safety and theirs:
- How to communicate before the move and only use approved avenues of communication (for example, text messages, calls between certain times, emails)
- An exact time to attend the property, and whether they should contact immediately before arrival to ensure it’s still safe to attend
- How much of a time window is available for loading the truck
- How much stuff you have, as they may need additional crew to fully load in the available timeframe
- Whether a law enforcement officer will be on standby
- Whether they need to use an unmarked truck
- Only to discuss the details of your move with authorized people. Consider having a password in place for move-related communications
- Not to leave paperwork in plain view. Neighbors or others may communicate details of a new address to the abuser
- Whether any circumstances may necessitate a last-minute change of plan. For example, if you believe the truck is being followed, you might need your items stored instead of going directly to the new property.
- Not to post details of the move on social media or otherwise use in marketing content
9. Explore Additional Legal Protections
Legal help may feel intimidating, but knowing your rights can empower you. It can also put critical safeguards in place. Look into:
10. Stay Connected to Support
The path to healing doesn’t end once you walk out the door. Finding consistent emotional and practical support can help you rebuild your life.
- Seek counseling or therapy, especially if you need help processing trauma
- Join support groups—hearing others’ stories can help you feel less alone
- Keep friends or family updated on your well-being and any new concerns
- Look into relocation assistance programs for help finding permanent housing or a new job
Help With Moving Costs After Domestic Violence
Leaving an abusive situation often means starting over abruptly. In those cases, moving expenses can quickly increase. Fortunately, financial help may be available. Many programs are designed specifically to support survivors who need safe relocation.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of relocation assistance and how to access them.
Relocation Grants for Survivors
Relocation grants are financial assistance programs designed to help survivors of domestic violence, stalking, or abuse move to a safer location. Unlike loans, relocation grants do not need to be repaid. Funds are typically administered through domestic violence shelters, victim advocacy organizations, state crime victim compensation programs, or local nonprofits.
Advocates or caseworkers usually help people apply. The application process usually includes documentation of safety concerns, inclusion of any police and/or medical reports, and an eligibility assessment.
Relocation grants may help cover:
- Professional moving company costs
- Rental truck or portable storage container fees
- Gas, mileage, or transportation expenses
- Temporary lodging (hotel or short-term stay)
- First month’s rent
- Security deposits
- Utility deposits or connection fees
- Short-term storage costs
Availability and coverage vary by state and organization. Working with a local advocate can help identify the most appropriate funding source and hasten the process.
Crime Victim Compensation Programs
Every state in the USA, as well as Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam, operates a Crime Victim Compensation Program. Through these programs, domestic abuse survivors can receive reimbursement for certain expenses connected to violent crimes. Some states expand coverage to include criminal threats of injury or economic crime where people are traumatized but don’t experience physical harm.
Eligibility varies by state, though in most cases, individuals must:
- Report crimes to local law enforcement agencies
- Apply within specified timeframes
- Provide documentation
Expenses that may be covered include:
- Crime-related medical, hospital, and dental treatment bills
- Counseling and mental health services
- Prescription medications
- Forensic medical exams
- Lost income due to injury or court appearances
- Replacement of (limited) essential personal items
- Temporary housing or lodging
- Relocation expenses for safety, like moving costs, storage, and rental deposits
- Security measures (such as changing locks or installing security systems)
- Transportation costs related to medical care or court
Survivors may obtain help from various outlets, and shelter advocates may provide application assistance.
Security Deposit and Rental Assistance
Diverse agencies and non-profits operate (often location-specific) programs that help domestic abuse survivors pay rent and security deposits following an emergency move. Such programs include:
To find these local support options you can:
- Call 211 (social services)
- Visit your county’s housing department website
- Ask a shelter advocate about rapid rehousing programs
Utility Startup and Connection Assistance
Remember that getting to your new home is just one part of moving. You also need to set up your utilities and essential services for your home to be livable. For help, contact:
Transportation and Travel Assistance
Relocation costs can further stretch finances for those leaving domestic violence situations, particularly if they’re moving to a different city or state. Several organizations provide transportation assistance, both in terms of financial support and practical services. To find out if help is available in your area, contact:
- Domestic violence and/or homeless shelters
- Religious organizations
- United Way affiliates
- Crime victim compensation funds
- Angel Flight West for free, volunteer-led air travel
Shelters may coordinate bus or plane tickets in high-risk cases or help cover gas cards or rental vehicles (for example, Families to Freedom’s Ticket to Ride program in North Texas and Transition Inc.’s Transportation Assistance program in select Ohio counties). Always ask organizations directly whether they provide relocation or transportation assistance for survivors. Even if they do not offer it themselves, they may refer you to a partner agency.
Address Confidentiality Programs
If you’re concerned about being located after moving, many states offer Address Confidentiality Programs (ACPs).
These programs:
- Provide a substitute mailing address
- Forward mail to your confidential address
- Help keep your physical location off public records
Address confidentiality programs are available in most states and are often administered through the Attorney General’s office or the Secretary of State.
You can learn more at the National Association of Confidential Address Programs and find contacts for your state. An advocate can help you apply before or shortly after relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free movers for domestic violence survivors?
Yes, although most free moving services are provided by moving companies through coordination with a local shelter or other domestic violence organization.
How can I get help with moving costs after domestic violence?
Contact local shelters, social services, faith-based organizations, and Community Action Agencies to inquire about help with moving costs after domestic violence. An advocate or caseworker can often help you identify funding sources in your area.
Do shelters help with relocation?
Yes, many shelters help with relocation. Specific services vary, but may include volunteer-led car travel, coordination with moving companies, and tickets for road, rail, and air travel.
What if I can’t afford a deposit?
If you can’t afford a deposit for a new home, contact support agencies to learn whether financial assistance is available. Speak with a shelter advocate, call social services at 211, contact Community Action Agencies, discuss your situation with a local faith leader, and visit housing department websites. Avenues to explore include Emergency Solutions Grants, Crime Victim Compensation Programs, and rapid rehousing programs.
How do I move safely without alerting my abuser?
Plan your move cautiously and discreetly with the assistance of a trusted friend or family member or professional caseworker. Ensure that your abuser can’t monitor your online or offline activity and take steps to hide funds and essential documents.
You should also plan your move for a time when you know they won’t be present, ensure the moving company knows to maintain confidentiality, and move quickly. You may consider arranging for a law enforcement officer to be on standby if you fear your abuser may return and become violent or try to impede your move.