Categories of Help Requests

This page lists all different categories of help requests that our end users might request from our application.

Date: 07/13/2025

Prepared By: Mohammed Shariq and Fara Fatima

Reviewer: Rao Bhethanabotla

Reference Design

1. Categories of Help Requests
2. Help Category System – Design Understanding Document with Sample Data

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Database Tables

1. Help_Category

Purpose:
Defines the hierarchy of help categories using a materialized path.

Key Fields:

• category_id: Hierarchical ID (e.g., 2.3.1)
• string_key (name): Descriptive key (e.g., EMERGENCY_CLOTHING_ASSISTANCE)
• description: Brief purpose or goal of the category
• path: Full path in the hierarchy (e.g., 2/2.3/2.3.1)

SQL Definition:

-- Table: Help_Category
CREATE TABLE Help_Category (
    category_id VARCHAR(50) PRIMARY KEY,           -- e.g., '1', '1.1', '1.1.1'
    name VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL,                    -- string_key, e.g., 'DONATE_CLOTHES'
    description TEXT NOT NULL,                     -- purpose or goal of the category
    path TEXT NOT NULL                             -- materialized path, e.g., '1/1.1/1.1.1'
);

2. Request_Additional_Info_Metadata

Purpose:
Stores metadata definitions for dynamic fields required per help category.

Key Fields:

• field_id: Links to Help_Category
• field_name_key: Field name (e.g., size, condition)
• field_type: Data type (e.g., string, int, float)
• status: Indicates whether the field is currently in use (active or inactive)

SQL Definition:

-- Table: Request_Additional_Info_Metadata
CREATE TABLE Request_Additional_Info_Metadata (
    category_id VARCHAR(50),
    field_name_key VARCHAR(100),
    field_type VARCHAR(20),         -- 'string', 'int', 'float'
    status VARCHAR(10) DEFAULT 'active', -- 'active' or 'inactive'
    PRIMARY KEY (category_id, field_name_key)
);

3. Request_Additional_Info

Purpose:
Stores the actual field values submitted by users for each request.

Key Fields:

• request_id: Unique identifier for the request

• category_id: Category of the request (foreign key to Help_Category)

• field_name_key: Field name from metadata

• field_value: Actual user input (e.g., L, Drop-off)

SQL Definition:

-- Table: Request_Additional_Info
CREATE TABLE Request_Additional_Info (
    request_id BIGINT,
    category_id VARCHAR(50),
    field_name_key VARCHAR(100),
    field_value TEXT,
    PRIMARY KEY (request_id, field_name_key),
    FOREIGN KEY (request_id) REFERENCES Request(request_id),
    FOREIGN KEY (category_id) REFERENCES Help_Category(category_id)
);

---

🧭 Endpoints

Method	Endpoint	Description	Response Type
GET	/dev/requests/v0.0.1/helpCategories	Get all help categories in a hierarchical structure	List<HelpCategoryDto>
GET	/dev/requests/v0.0.1/helpCategories/parent/{parentId}	Get immediate children of a specific parent category ID	List<HelpCategoryMapDto>
GET	/dev/requests/v0.0.1/helpCategories/{catId}	Get categories that start with the given catId prefix	List<HelpCategory>
GET	/dev/requests/v0.0.1/helpCategories/categoryMap	Get full flat map of parent-child category relations	Map<String, List<String>>

---

Help_Category

cat_id	cat_name	cat_desc	description	path	release
0.0.0.0.0	GENERAL_CATEGORY	GENERAL_CATEGORY_DESC	A general or fallback category used when no specific match is available.	0.0.0.0.0	1.0 MVP
1	FOOD_AND_ESSENTIALS_SUPPORT	FOOD_AND_ESSENTIALS_SUPPORT_DESC	Parent category for all food and basic essentials-related assistance.	1	1.0 MVP
1.1	FOOD_ASSISTANCE	FOOD_ASSISTANCE_DESC	Help users find food banks, pantries, and government meal programs.	1/1.1	1.0 MVP
1.2	GROCERY_SHOPPING_AND_DELIVERY	GROCERY_SHOPPING_AND_DELIVERY_DESC	Request help with grocery shopping and doorstep delivery by volunteers.	1/1.2	1.0 MVP
1.3	COOKING_HELP	COOKING_HELP_DESC	Users can request help from volunteers to assist with basic cooking and kitchen tasks.	1/1.3	1.0 MVP
2	CLOTHING_SUPPORT	CLOTHING_SUPPORT_DESC	Parent category for all clothing-related assistance and services.	2	1.0 MVP
2.1	DONATE_CLOTHES	DONATE_CLOTHES_DESC	Allow users (donors) to donate clothes based on their location.	2/2.1	1.0 MVP
2.2	BORROW_CLOTHES	BORROW_CLOTHES_DESC	Allow users to borrow clothes easily via the platform.	2/2.2	1.0 MVP
2.3	EMERGENCY_ASSISTANCE	EMERGENCY_ASSISTANCE_DESC	Subcategory for emergency needs including clothing, food, and shelter during crises.	2/2.3	1.0 MVP
2.3.1	EMERGENCY_CLOTHING_ASSISTANCE	EMERGENCY_CLOTHING_ASSISTANCE_DESC	Enable users in crisis situations (e.g., natural disasters, sudden displacement) to request clothing help.	2/2.3/2.3.1	1.0 MVP
2.4	SEASONAL_DRIVE_NOTIFICATION	SEASONAL_DRIVE_NOTIFICATION_DESC	Notify users when seasonal clothing drives are active, allowing them to donate or request items.	2/2.4	1.0 MVP
2.5	TAILORING	TAILORING_DESC	Users can request clothing repair (e.g., seams, zippers) via volunteers or local tailoring partners.	2/2.5	1.0 MVP
3	HOUSING_SUPPORT	HOUSING_SUPPORT_DESC	Parent category for all housing-related assistance and services.	3	1.0 MVP
3.1	FIND_A_ROOMMATE	FIND_A_ROOMMATE_DESC	Help users find compatible roommates by posting listings or providing compatibility guidance.	3/3.1	1.0 MVP
3.2	RENTING_SUPPORT	RENTING_SUPPORT_DESC	Assist with understanding rental agreements, finding rental listings, and navigating tenant rights.	3/3.2	1.0 MVP
3.3	HOUSEHOLD_ITEM_EXCHANGE	HOUSEHOLD_ITEM_EXCHANGE_DESC	Help users buy or sell secondhand furniture and home essentials (remote).	3/3.3	1.0 MVP
3.4	MOVING_ASSISTANCE	MOVING_ASSISTANCE_DESC	In-person support for packing, sorting, or organizing small items during a move.	3/3.4	1.0 MVP
3.5	CLEANING_HELP	CLEANING_HELP_DESC	In-person support for light cleaning tasks such as dusting, sweeping, and tidying common areas.	3/3.5	1.0 MVP
3.6	HOME_REPAIR_SUPPORT	HOME_REPAIR_SUPPORT_DESC	Support for non-urgent minor repairs like furniture fixes, plumbing, or appliance help.	3/3.6	1.0 MVP
3.7	UTILITIES_SETUP	UTILITIES_SETUP_DESC	Assistance setting up internet, electricity, water, and other services during a move-in.	3/3.7	1.0 MVP
4	EDUCATION_CAREER_SUPPORT	EDUCATION_CAREER_SUPPORT_DESC	Parent category for education and career-related help.	4	1.0 MVP
4.1	COLLEGE_APPLICATION_HELP	COLLEGE_APPLICATION_HELP_DESC	Guidance for navigating college application tasks.	4/4.1	1.0 MVP
4.2	SOP_ESSAY_REVIEW	SOP_ESSAY_REVIEW_DESC	Review and feedback on SOPs, essays, and academic statements.	4/4.2	1.0 MVP
4.3	TUTORING	TUTORING_DESC	Academic tutoring for specific subjects or standardized tests.	4/4.3	1.0 MVP
5	HEALTHCARE_WELLNESS_SUPPORT	HEALTHCARE_WELLNESS_SUPPORT_DESC	Parent category for health-related assistance and non-clinical wellness support.	5	1.0 MVP
5.1	MEDICAL_NAVIGATION	MEDICAL_NAVIGATION_DESC	Help users find appropriate professionals or clinics.	5/5.1	1.0 MVP
5.2	MEDICINE_DELIVERY	MEDICINE_DELIVERY_DESC	Assist with OTC medication pickup or pharmacy navigation.	5/5.2	1.0 MVP
5.3	MENTAL_WELLBEING_SUPPORT	MENTAL_WELLBEING_SUPPORT_DESC	Access general mental health resources or referrals.	5/5.3	1.0 MVP
5.4	MEDICATION_REMINDERS	MEDICATION_REMINDERS_DESC	Set up non-clinical reminders for OTC medication or supplements.	5/5.4	1.0 MVP
5.5	HEALTH_EDUCATION_GUIDANCE	HEALTH_EDUCATION_GUIDANCE_DESC	Wellness awareness on hygiene, sleep, nutrition, etc.	5/5.5	1.0 MVP
6	ELDERLY_SUPPORT	ELDERLY_SUPPORT_DESC	Parent category for elderly and community-related support.	6	1.0 MVP
6.1	SENIOR_LIVING_RELOCATION	SENIOR_LIVING_RELOCATION_DESC	Help seniors find housing and assist with the moving process.	6/6.1	1.0 MVP
6.2	DIGITAL_SUPPORT_FOR_SENIORS	DIGITAL_SUPPORT_FOR_SENIORS_DESC	Support with using phones, tablets, and apps.	6/6.2	1.0 MVP
6.3	MEDICAL_HELP	MEDICAL_HELP_DESC	Medication reminders or health device setup (non-clinical).	6/6.3	1.0 MVP
6.4	ERRANDS_TRANSPORTATION	ERRANDS_TRANSPORTATION_DESC	Assistance with errands or transport to appointments.	6/6.4	1.0 MVP
6.5	SOCIAL_CONNECTION	SOCIAL_CONNECTION_DESC	Companionship and social activities (calls, walks, games).	6/6.5	1.0 MVP
6.6	MEAL_SUPPORT	MEAL_SUPPORT_DESC	Help cooking meals or prepping food based on dietary needs.	6/6.6	1.0 MVP

Request_Additional_Info_Metadata

field_id	field_name_key	field_type	status
1.1.A	PREFERRED_MEAL_TYPE	list	active
1.1.B	DIETARY_RESTRICTIONS	string	active
1.1.C	HOUSEHOLD_SIZE	int	active
1.2.A	GROCERY_LIST	string	active
1.2.B	DELIVERY_ADDRESS	string	active
1.2.C	PREFERRED_TIME	string	active
1.2.D	PAYMENT_METHOD	string	active
1.3.A	COOKING_TASK	string	active
1.3.B	RECIPE_PREFERENCE	string	active
1.3.C	KITCHEN_EQUIPMENT	string	active
2.1.A	CATEGORY	string	active
2.1.B	SIZE	string	active
2.1.C	CONDITION	string	active
2.1.D	IMAGE	string	active
2.1.E	LOCATION	string	active
2.1.F	DROP_OR_PICKUP	string	active
2.2.A	ITEM_NAME	string	active
2.2.B	CATEGORY	string	active
2.2.C	SIZE	string	active
2.2.D	CONDITION	string	active
2.2.E	QUANTITY	int	active
2.2.F	IMAGE	string	active
2.2.G	REQUEST_TYPE	string	active
2.2.H	PICKUP_DATETIME	string	active
2.3.1.A	NUM_ADULTS	int	active
2.3.1.B	NUM_CHILDREN	int	active
2.4.A	ALERT_TYPE	string	active
2.4.B	SIZE	string	active
2.4.C	DATE_RANGE	string	active
2.5.A	GARMENT_DETAILS	string	active
2.5.B	IMAGES	string	active
2.5.C	DELIVERY_METHOD	string	active
3.1.A	CITY_ZIP_CODE	string	active
3.1.B	RENT_RANGE	string	active
3.1.C	PROPERTY_TYPE	string	active
3.1.D	HOUSE_TYPE	string	active
3.1.E	AGREEMENT_TYPE	string	active
3.1.F	ROOMMATE_PREFERENCES	string	active
3.1.G	ADDITIONAL_ROOM_CRITERIA	string	active
3.1.H	AVAILABILITY_TIMELINE	string	active
3.2.A	DOCUMENT_UPLOADED	string	active
3.2.B	HELP_TYPE	string	active
3.2.C	CONCERNS	string	active
3.2.D	URGENCY	string	active
3.3.A	ITEM_TYPE	string	active
3.3.B	LISTING_LINK	string	active
3.4.A	MOVE_IN_ADDRESS	string	active
3.4.B	SUPPORT_TYPE	string	active
3.4.C	SPECIAL_NEEDS	string	active
3.4.D	NUM_HELPERS	int	active
3.4.E	TIME_SLOT	string	active
3.5.A	CLEANING_AREA	string	active
3.5.B	CLEANING_TYPE	string	active
3.6.A	REPAIR_TYPE	string	active
3.6.B	ISSUE_DESCRIPTION	string	active
3.7.A	UTILITY_TYPE	string	active
3.7.B	MOVE_IN_DATE	string	active
3.7.C	LOCATION	string	active
4.1.A	APPLICATION_AREA	string	active
4.1.B	UPLOADED_DOCUMENTS	string	active
4.1.C	PREFERRED_TIMELINE	string	active
4.2.A	DOCUMENT_TYPE	string	active
4.2.B	FEEDBACK_TYPE	string	active
4.2.C	DEADLINE	string	active
4.3.A	SUBJECT	string	active
4.3.B	GRADE_LEVEL	string	active
4.3.C	TUTORING_MODE	string	active
4.3.D	AVAILABILITY	string	active
5.1.A	LOCATION	string	active
5.1.B	URGENCY_LEVEL	string	active
5.1.C	ACCESSIBILITY_NEEDS	string	active
5.1.D	CONSULTATION_METHOD	string	active
5.2.A	DELIVERY_TYPE	string	active
5.2.B	ITEM_LIST	string	active
5.2.C	ADDRESS	string	active
5.2.D	DELIVERY_TIME	string	active
5.3.A	HELP_TYPE	string	active
5.3.B	APPOINTMENT_METHOD	string	active
5.3.C	ZIP_CODE	string	active
5.3.D	PROVIDER_TYPE	string	active
5.4.A	REMINDER_METHOD	string	active
5.4.B	REMINDER_TIME	string	active
5.4.C	REPETITION_SCHEDULE	string	active
5.4.D	DURATION	string	active
5.5.A	EDUCATION_TOPIC	string	active
5.5.B	PREFERRED_FORMAT	string	active
6.1.A	PREFERRED_LOCATION	string	active
6.1.B	BUDGET_RANGE	string	active
6.1.C	FACILITY_TYPE	string	active
6.1.D	MOVE_TIMELINE	string	active
6.1.E	AMENITIES	string	active
6.1.F	MOVE_DATE	string	active
6.1.G	MOVE_ADDRESS	string	active
6.1.H	DESTINATION_ADDRESS	string	active
6.1.I	ITEMS_TO_MOVE	string	active
6.1.J	ASSISTANCE_TYPE	string	active
6.2.A	DEVICE_TYPE	string	active
6.2.B	DEVICE_BRAND	string	active
6.2.C	TECH_HELP_TYPE	string	active
6.3.A	MEDICATION_COUNT	int	active
6.3.B	REMINDER_TYPE	string	active
6.3.C	SETUP_MODE	string	active
6.3.D	HEALTH_DEVICE_TYPE	string	active
6.4.A	ERRAND_TYPE	string	active
6.4.B	PICKUP_LOCATION	string	active
6.4.C	DELIVERY_LOCATION	string	active
6.4.D	TRIP_TYPE	string	active
6.4.E	TRANSPORT_MODE	string	active
6.4.F	ACCESSIBILITY_NEEDS	string	active
6.4.G	APPOINTMENT_TYPE	string	active
6.4.H	SCHEDULING_MODE	string	active
6.5.A	SOCIAL_ACTIVITY	string	active
6.5.B	SOCIAL_FREQUENCY	string	active
6.6.A	MEAL_HELP_TYPE	string	active
6.6.B	MEAL_LOCATION	string	active
6.6.C	DIETARY_PREFERENCES	string	active
6.6.D	MEAL_SCHEDULE	string	active

Request_Additional_Info

List type should be like this: 1.1.A Meal Type 1.1.A.1 Vegetarian 1.1.A.2 Non Vegetarian 1.1.A.3 Kosher

request_id	category_id	field_name_key	field_value
3001	1.1	PREFERRED_MEAL_TYPE	Vegetarian
3003	1.3	KITCHEN_EQUIPMENT	Stove, Pot, Knife
2001	2.1	CATEGORY	Winter Jackets
5005	5.5	PREFERRED_FORMAT	PDF Booklet
5001	6.1	PREFERRED_LOCATION	San Jose, CA
5001	6.1	FACILITY_TYPE	Assisted Living
5006	6.6	DIETARY_PREFERENCES	Vegetarian

* These values will be generated dynamically

1.0 MVP Supported Help Request Categories

Many top level help categories can be further classified into sub help categories forming a small tree of help category hierarchy. To store these help category hierarchy, following proposal is made. Top level help categories get numerical numbers like 1, 2, 3 etc. Next level sub help categories get the decimal numbers e.g. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 etc. Their sub categories get 100th numbers e.g. 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3 etc.

In the above example, 1:Banking --> 1.1:Retail Banking --> 1.1.1:Accounts --> 1.1.1.1:Savings Account --> 1.1.1.1.1:Personal Savings, 1.Banking --> 1.2:Investment Banking --> 1.2.1:Corporate Finance --> 1.2.1.2:Equity Capital Markets --> 1.2.1.2.2:Follow On Offerings. Every main or sub help category will have a unique identifier defined in our database. In memory, this can be stored as a Hashtable (Numeric id will be the key, string constant will be the value)

Parent --> child relationship of help categories is stored in a mapping table with two columns Parent and Child. This mapping table stored only the number ids e.g 1.1 --> 1.1.1, 1.1 --> 1.1.2. This means 1.1 help category has two children 1.1.1 and 1.1.2.

Database stores only the string constants. These string constants will be translated to all supported languages. In the front end, right before display, the translated strings will be sorted and displayed to the end user.

Whenever a new request object is inserted in the Request table, we create a unique identifier using a sequence generator. In this row, we insert the request category numeric identifier e.g. 1.2.1.3.4. This row also stores all common request attributes like type, priority, status etc.

We use another table, Request_Additional_Info_Metadata to store all the additional field information needed for this help category. The primary key of this table is request category numeric id. Two other fields contain the Name as string constant and type of each additional field as integer, string, float. By querying this table, we can get as many additional fields as needed for a given help category. Name column stores the string constants that can be translated.

Request_Additional_Info table contains the actual values when a new help request is created for this help category. Each row in this table stores one name-value pair for each additional field of this help category. For e.g. if a help category has one additional field, this table contains the request object unique identifier, request category numeric id, name of the additional field and its value. If this help category has 5 additional fields, then this table will insert all those 5 rows.

To process any help category instance, Request micro service needs to get all the standard data from the main Request table and then look into Request_Additional_Info table for any possible additional attributes. All these additional attributes will be stored in another name-value structure and passed on to the front end.

During database instance creation, along with Request table creation, we will also create Request_Additional_Info_Metadata table. In Create New Help Request page, we use this metadata to render the required additional fields when a help category is selected in a separate section by making an API to the Request micro service. When this request instance is created, request standard values are inserted in the Request table first and use the new unique request identifier to insert the additional info in to the Request_Additional_Info table.

Request Categories and their sub categories

Please try to insert the types in alphabetically sorted order so that it is easy to read.

• Banking

• Books

• Clothes

• College Admissions

• Cooking

• Dance

• Education

  • Elementary
  • Middle School
  • High School
  • University

• Employment

• Finance

• Food

• Gardening

• General

• Homelessness

• Housing

• Investing

• Jobs

• Legal

• Matrimonial

• Medical

  • Brain
  • Depression
  • Eye
  • Hand
  • Head
  • Leg

• Music

• Rental

• School

• Shopping

• Sports

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cricket
  • Handball
  • Jogging
  • Hockey
  • Running
  • Tennis

• Stocks

• Travel

• Tourism