Phone calls in the state of Nebraska to the 211 Center have spiked. Compared to this same time last year, calls are up more than 20 percent.

The 211 Center is an information and referral helpline giving callers up-to-date contacts on a wide range of local health and human service programs.

The United Way Program credits the increase in calls to "difficult economic times."

The Omaha call center is available to 1.3 million Nebraskans and the residents of eight southwest Iowa Counties.