What a welfare check is and who can request one
A welfare check is a visit by police or emergency responders to someone's home to see if they are safe and well. You request one when you cannot reach a person and are worried they may be hurt, ill, or in danger. The officer or responder will go to the address, try to make contact, and report back to you about what they found — though they cannot always share details if the person asks them not to.
Most police departments handle welfare checks through their non-emergency dispatch line, not 911. You call the non-emergency number for your city or county, explain your concern, and give them the person's address. The dispatcher will send an officer to check on them. Response time varies: some departments arrive within an hour, others may take several hours or schedule it for the next day if the call does not suggest when ready danger.
You do not need to be a family member to request a check. Friends, neighbors, coworkers, and landlords can all call. The person does not have to know you requested it, though the officer may tell them someone was concerned about their welfare.
Key Takeaways
- Call your local police non-emergency line to request a welfare check, not 911, unless you believe the person is in when ready danger.
- Have the person's full name, address, and a brief reason for your concern ready when you call.
- Police will visit the address and try to make contact, but cannot always tell you what they found if the person requests privacy.
- Response times range from under an hour to the next day depending on your area and how urgent the situation sounds.
- If you cannot reach someone and believe they need medical help, you can also call 911 and request an emergency welfare check.
Finding your local non-emergency police number
The non-emergency number is different from 911 and is the correct line for a welfare check. You can find it by searching "[your city] police non-emergency number" online, or by calling 411 and asking for it. Many police departments also list it on their website under "Contact Us" or "How to Report".
If you cannot find the number, you can call 911 and tell the dispatcher you need the non-emergency line — they will give it to you or transfer you. Do not use 911 to request a welfare check unless you have reason to believe the person is in when ready danger, such as hearing them cry for help, seeing signs of a break-in, or knowing they have a serious medical condition and have not been reachable for days.
What information to have ready when you call
When you call the non-emergency line, the dispatcher will ask for the person's full name, their address, and why you are concerned. Have these details ready before you call so the conversation is quick and accurate. If you do not know the exact address, give the closest information you have — the street name, the neighborhood, or a nearby landmark.
Explain your concern clearly: "I have not been able to reach my neighbor in three days and her car is still in the driveway" or "My friend was supposed to meet me this morning and is not answering his phone or door, which is not like him." The more specific you are, the better the dispatcher can decide how quickly to send someone.
If the person has a medical condition that makes you especially worried — such as diabetes, heart disease, or a recent surgery — mention it. Tell the dispatcher if you have a key to the home or if a family member does, as this helps the officer gain entry if needed.
What happens during a welfare check
An officer will go to the address and knock on the door or ring the bell. If someone answers, the officer will ask if they are okay and explain that someone was concerned about them. If no one answers, the officer may look through windows, check for signs of distress, and try the door to see if it is unlocked. If they find the person injured or unresponsive, they will call for medical help.
If the person is fine and answers the door, the officer will report back that the check was completed and the person is safe. If the person does not want you to know they were checked on, they can ask the officer not to tell you — the officer may honor this request depending on department policy.
If the officer cannot make contact and has no way to enter the home, they will document the attempt and may recommend that you try again later, contact a family member with a key, or call back if you remain concerned. In some cases, if the officer suspects a serious problem, they may contact the fire department to help gain entry.
When to call 911 instead of the non-emergency line
Use 911 for a welfare check if you believe the person is in when ready danger or medical crisis. This includes situations where you hear them calling for help, see signs of a break-in or fire, know they are having a heart attack or stroke, or have not heard from them in an unusually long time and they live alone with a serious health condition.
Tell the 911 dispatcher clearly: "I need an emergency welfare check at [address]. I have not been able to reach this person in five days and they have diabetes and live alone." The dispatcher will send police and possibly paramedics right away. Emergency welfare checks are prioritized over non-emergency ones and typically arrive within minutes.
What to do if the person does not want to be checked on
If you request a welfare check and the person is upset that you did, they have the right to refuse future checks. They can tell the police department that they do not want welfare checks requested on them. Some departments will note this in their system so officers know not to respond to future requests.
If the person is an adult and is not in danger, they cannot be forced to accept help or to talk to police. The officer will leave if the person is safe and asks them to go. If you are worried about someone's safety and they are refusing help, you may need to involve a family member, a counselor, or a social worker rather than police.
Welfare checks for people with mental health or substance use concerns
If the person you are checking on has a history of mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, or substance use, tell the dispatcher this when you call. It helps the officer prepare and respond with appropriate care. Some departments have crisis intervention teams or mental health specialists who can respond instead of a standard police officer.
If the person is in crisis and you are worried they may hurt themselves, tell the dispatcher this is a mental health emergency. In some areas, you can also call a mental health crisis line instead of police — these teams are trained in de-escalation and may be a better fit. Ask the dispatcher if your area has a mobile crisis unit or mental health response team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I requested the welfare check?
The officer may tell them someone was concerned, but does not have to say who. If you want to stay anonymous, you can ask the dispatcher not to share your name. However, the person may figure out who called based on context — for example, if only their close family knew they were sick.
What if the person refuses to let the officer in?
If they are an adult and not in when ready danger, the officer cannot force their way in. The officer will document that the person answered and appeared safe. If you believe they are being held against their will or are in danger, tell the officer this — they can investigate further or call for backup.
How long does a welfare check usually take?
Response time depends on your area and how busy the police are. Non-emergency checks may take one to four hours or longer. If you call 911 for an emergency check, police typically arrive within minutes. Call back if you do not hear from the officer within a reasonable time.
Can I request a welfare check on someone who is homeless?
Yes, but you will need to give the officer the location where you last saw them — a park, a shelter, a street corner. The officer will go to that area and look for them. If the person moves around, the check may be harder to complete, but you can still request one.
What if I call and the dispatcher says they will not send someone?
If the dispatcher does not think the situation warrants a check, you can ask to speak to a supervisor or call back and try again with more detail. If you truly believe the person is in danger, call 911 and explain why you think it is an emergency. You can also contact a family member or a social worker if police decline to respond.