Indiana call center directors say a slumping economy led to record call volume at the state's 211 lines in 2009.


Indiana 211 Partnership Executive Director John Krom says requests to the state's 15 call lines jumped 18 percent between 2008 and 2009.

Krom says referrals to assistance agencies rose 25 percent because the higher demand forced call center staffs to send people to multiple agencies to cobble together assistance.

Requests for food and utility assistance topped lists statewide.

The Indiana 211 system reaches about 95 percent of state residents. It connects callers with health and human services agencies that can help them pay for food, utilities and housing.