--- title: How To Create a New Assistance (Categories and Items) description: Create custom assistance types to organize services, standardize data entry, and support accurate reporting across your organization. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/how-to-create-a-new-assistance-categories-and-items#main-content) [![cominghome-logo-horizontal-dark](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/cominghome-logo-horizontal-dark.png?width=208&height=32&name=cominghome-logo-horizontal-dark.png)](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Coming Home Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base?hsLang=en) 2. [Assistances](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/assistances?hsLang=en) # How To Create a New Assistance (Categories and Items) ## Learn how to create custom assistance categories and items to standardize how your organization records and reports services. ### What this feature does Custom Assistance Types allow organizations to define and organize the services they provide. By creating a structured menu of **categories** and **items**, teams can ensure that assistances are recorded consistently across clients, programs, and organization-level activities. This standardized structure improves data quality, reporting accuracy, and visibility into service delivery.   #### **Who can use this feature** To create or manage custom assistance types, users must have access to **Settings** and the appropriate administrative permissions. - **Organization Admin** – Full access to create and manage custom assistance types. - **Team Members** – Can view and select assistance types when recording services but cannot create or edit them. - **Interns / Volunteers** – Can view and select assistance types but cannot create or edit them. - **Law Enforcement / Advocates** – Can view and assign assistance types but cannot create or edit them. #### **Before you begin** Before creating custom assistance types, ensure that: - You have access to **Settings** within the platform. - You have permission to **manage organization configurations** (Organization Admin). ### Understanding assistance types Custom assistance types follow a two-level structure: #### **Category** The main grouping of services. **Examples:** Outreach, Financial Support, Counseling. #### **Item** A specific service within a category. **Examples:** Hygiene Bag, Bus Pass, Therapy Session. **Important:** Items must always belong to a category. This hierarchy standardizes how services are recorded and reported across the organization.   ### How to create custom assistance types #### **Step 1: Go to Custom Assistance Types** 1.Navigate to **Settings** from the left-hand menu. ![](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-51-45-2901-PM.png?width=670&height=415&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-51-45-2901-PM.png)   2\. Open the **Custom Assistance Types** tab. ![](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-52-51-0137-PM.png?width=301&height=86&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-52-51-0137-PM.png) #### **Step 2: Add a new assistance type** 1\. Click **+ Add Custom Assistance**. ![](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-53-31-4063-PM.png?width=314&height=70&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-53-31-4063-PM.png) 2\. A window will appear prompting you to choose the type of assistance to create. ![](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-54-13-2203-PM.png?width=466&height=244&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-54-13-2203-PM.png)   #### **Step 3: Create a category** To create a new category: 1. Select **Category**. 2. Enter a **name** (e.g., Outreach, Emergency Support). 3. Click **Create**.  This will serve as a top-level grouping for related services.   #### **Step 4: Create an item** To create a specific service under a category: 1. Click **+ Add Custom Assistance**. 2. Select **Item**. 3. Choose a **Parent Category**. 4. Enter the **item name** (e.g., Hygiene Bag, Transportation Voucher). 5. Click **Create**. This defines a specific service that can later be selected when recording assistances.   #### **Result** Once created: - Categories and items will appear as **selectable options** when adding assistances. - Users across the organization will be able to choose from this standardized menu. - Your organization will benefit from **consistent and structured service tracking**. **![](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-59-02-6677-PM.png?width=398&height=334&name=undefined-Apr-10-2026-05-59-02-6677-PM.png)** ### Why this matters Custom assistance types form the foundation of how your organization tracks impact. By defining your service structure upfront, you ensure: - **Consistent data entry** across teams - **Accurate reporting and compliance** - **Clear visibility** into services delivered - **Improved outcome measurement** - **Alignment with funding and evaluation requirements** #### **Tips / Best Practices** - **Start with categories first** before creating items. - **Use clear and consistent naming** to support reporting. - **Keep categories broad and items specific.** - **Avoid duplicates** to maintain clean and reliable data. - **Align categories with how your organization reports services.** #### **Related Articles** - [Overview of Assistances](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/overview-of-assistances?hsLang=en) - [How to Assign an Assistance at the Organization Level](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/how-to-assign-an-assistance-at-organization-level?hsLang=en) - [How to Assign an Assistance at the Program Level](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/how-to-assign-an-assistance-at-enrolled-program-level?hsLang=en) - [How to Assign an Assistance at the Client Level](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/how-to-assign-an-assistance-at-client-level?hsLang=en) - [How to Manage Linked vs. Unlinked Assistances](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/how-to-manage-linked-vs.-unlinked-assistances?hsLang=en) --- ### Need more help? If you need assistance creating or managing custom assistance types, please contact your **Organization Administrator**. For additional help, use the in-platform chat and select **“Report an issue.”** - [Getting started](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en) - [Clients](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/clients?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Creating and editing a client record](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/clients?hsLang=en#creating-and-editing-a-client-record) - [Assignments](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/clients?hsLang=en#assignments) - [Assistances at a client level](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/clients?hsLang=en#assistances-at-a-client-level) - [Program Enrollment](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/clients?hsLang=en#program-enrollment) - [Files & Notes](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/clients?hsLang=en#files-notes) - [Referrals](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/clients?hsLang=en#referrals) - [Programs](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/programs?hsLang=en) - [Assistances](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/assistances?hsLang=en) - [Milestones](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/milestones?hsLang=en) - [Settings & Administration](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/settings-administration?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Users & Permissions](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/settings-administration?hsLang=en#users-permissions) - [Coming Home Mobile App](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/en/knowledge-base/coming-home-mobile-app?hsLang=en) [![cominghome-logo-stack-dark](https://knowledge.cominghome.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/cominghome-logo-stack-dark.png?width=127&height=48&name=cominghome-logo-stack-dark.png "cominghome-logo-stack-dark")](https://www.cominghome.ai/?hsLang=en) https://www.cominghome.ai/ [mailto:customersupport@cominghome.ai](mailto:customersupport@cominghome.ai) Copyright © 2026, Coming Home