Etowah County

Local offices in Etowah County

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Human services · State office

  Etowah County Department of Human Resources

  210 Hoke Street, Gadsden, AL 35903

  Help here

  • Food assistanceAsk about food assistance, including how to apply.
  • Family assistanceAsk about family assistance and TANF services.
  • Child supportGet help with child support services and cases.
  Call 256-622-8300DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhr.alabama.gov

• Community action · Nonprofit

  Community Action of Etowah County

  624 Broad Street, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Help here

  • Utility assistanceEligible households can ask for help paying home energy costs.
  • WeatherizationAsk about home improvements that can lower energy use.
  • Transitional housingAsk about the agency's transitional housing program.
  Call 256-546-9271DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on communityaction-etowah.org

• Housing help · Regional office

  Greater Gadsden Housing Authority

  422 Chestnut Street, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Help here

  • Public housingAsk about affordable public housing and applications.
  • Housing Choice VoucherAsk about rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program.Read more
  Call 256-547-2501DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ggha.org

• Local office · Nonprofit

  United Way of Etowah County 211 First Call for Help

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall for free referrals to local help with food, housing, bills, health care, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on uwoec.org

• Public health · State office

  Etowah County Health Department

  709 East Broad Street, Gadsden, AL 35903

  Help here

  • Public health and clinic servicesGet vaccines, family planning, testing, and other clinic services.
  • WICEligible families can get nutrition help and food benefits through WIC.Read more
  Call 256-547-6311DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on alabamapublichealth.gov

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Etowah County Circuit Clerk

  801 Forrest Avenue, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Help here

  • Court forms and recordsFind court forms and get help accessing public court records.
  Call 256-549-2150DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on etowah.alacourt.gov

• Older adults · Regional office

  East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission Aging and Disability Resource Center

  Help here

  • Aging and disability servicesOlder adults and people with disabilities can ask about local services and benefits.Read more
  • Medicare counselingGet free, unbiased help understanding Medicare coverage and plans.Read more
  Call 800-243-5463Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eastalabamaaging.org

• Veterans · State office

  Etowah County Veterans Affairs Office

  800 Forrest Avenue, Suite 202, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits assistanceGet help understanding and applying for veterans benefits.
  Call 256-549-5458DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on va.alabama.gov

• Emergency help · County office

  Etowah County Emergency Management Agency

  800 Forrest Avenue, Room 011, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Help here

  • Emergency preparednessGet local emergency information, preparedness resources, and alerts.
  Call 256-549-5351DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on etowahcountyema.org

• Jobs and training · State office

  Gadsden Career Center

  216 North 5th Street, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Help here

  • Job search and trainingGet help finding a job, preparing for work, or finding training.
  Call 256-546-4667DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on adol.alabama.gov

• State office

  Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License Office, Etowah County

  800 Forrest Avenue, Suite 219, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Help here

  • Driver licensesApply for or renew an Alabama driver license at this office.
  Call 256-540-0065DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on alea.gov

• State office

  Etowah County Vehicle Licensing Office

  800 Forrest Avenue, Ground Floor, Room 21, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Help here

  • Vehicle licensingGet help with vehicle registration and licensing.
  Call 256-549-5325DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on revenue.alabama.gov

• Library · City office

  Gadsden Public Library

  254 South College Street, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Help here

  • Library servicesGet a library card to borrow books and use library resources.
  Call 256-549-4699DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gadsdenlibrary.org

Etowah County website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals in Etowah County, closest to the center of Gadsden first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Food pantry

  Little Free Pantry

  First Christian Church

  58 miles from the center of Gadsden

  3209 Whitesburg Drive SE, Huntsville, AL 35802

  Hours

  Hours not listed. Call first.

  Who can come: Hungry members of the community

  Call 256-881-0150DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on fcc-hsv.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  Daily Meals

  First Stop

  60 miles from the center of Gadsden

  206 Stokes St., Huntsville, AL 35805

  Hours

  Hours not listed. Call first.

  Daily meals

  Who can come: People experiencing homelessness

  Call 256-533-3391DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on firststop.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  HAP Madison/West Location

  Huntsville Assistance Program

  63 miles from the center of Gadsden

  103 Gin Oaks Court, Madison, AL 35758

  Hours

  • Tue1 PM to 3 PM. Temporary change due to staffing

  Who can come: Madison County residents

  What to bring: Have a home in Madison County and a kitchen to prepare meals. Bring proof of Madison County residency and a photo ID. Food is available up to four times per year.

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on huntsvilleap.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Etowah County

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Job help near Etowah County

American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  Gadsden Career Center

  Also helps young people

  0.9 miles away

  216 North 5th Street, Gadsden, AL 35901

  Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm Mon-Fri

  Call 256-546-4667DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on May 18, 2026

• Youth program

  Attalla City Schools

  5.5 miles away

  101 Case Avenue Southeast, Attalla, AL 35954

  Call 256-538-8051DirectionsWebsite

Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.

Cities and towns in Etowah County

• Altoona
• Attalla
• Gadsden
• Glencoe
• Hokes Bluff
• Rainbow City
• Reece City
• Ridgeville
• Sardis City
• Southside
• Walnut Grove

Alabama programs by kind of help

These are run by Alabama and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.

• FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
• HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
• HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
• MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
• CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
• EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
• WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
• Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
• SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal help anyone can use

These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security retirement benefits

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Medicare

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.

  Call 1-800-633-4227
• Extra Help with Medicare drug costs

  Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• VA health care

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.

  Call 1-877-222-8387
• VA disability compensation and benefits

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.

  Call 1-800-827-1000
• FAFSA, the federal student aid form

  U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Federal Pell Grant

  U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• HealthCare.gov

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.

  Call 1-800-318-2596
• Lifeline phone and internet discount

  Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

  Call 1-800-234-9473
• Head Start and Early Head Start

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

  Call 1-866-763-6481
• IRS Free File

  Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.

• VITA and TCE free tax help

  Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.

  Call 1-800-906-9887
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.

  Call 1-800-829-1040
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

• Replace a Social Security card

  Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• FEMA disaster assistance

  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

  Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026