Ocala
Ask about Ocala
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Ocala and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Ocala
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · City office
Community Housing Services
2200 NW 17th Place, Ocala, FL 34475
Help here
- Housing and homelessness helpThe office connects people who are homeless or at risk of losing housing with local services.
- Rental and utility deposit assistanceEligible residents may ask about help with past-due rent, move-in costs, and security or utility deposits.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ocalafl.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Ocala Housing Authority
1629 NW 4th Street, Ocala, FL 34475
Help here
- Affordable housingResidents can contact the authority about public housing and housing choice vouchers.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ocalahousing.org
Utilities · City office
Citizens' Service Center
201 SE 3rd Street, Ocala, FL 34471
Help here
- Utility accounts and billsResidents can get help with utility bills, starting or stopping service, and account changes.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ocalafl.gov
Older adults · City office
Eighth Ave. Adult Activity Center
830 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala, FL 34470
Help here
- Programs for adults age 50 and olderAdults age 50 and older can join activities, classes, wellness programs, and day trips.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ocalafl.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
United Way of Marion County 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 to get referrals to local help for needs such as housing, food, health care, and employment.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on uwmc.org
Jobs and training · Regional office
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion
2703 NE 14th St., Ocala, FL 34470
Help here
- Job search and career supportJob seekers can get help with job searches, resumes, training, and reemployment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on careersourceclm.com
Parks and recreation · City office
Ocala Recreation & Parks
828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala, FL 34470
Help here
- Recreation programsResidents can find and register for sports, classes, camps, and other recreation programs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ocalafl.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Ocala first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church
0.5 miles from the center of Ocala1801 SW 4th ST, Ocala, FL 34471
Hours
- Wed12:30 PM to 1:15 PM
- Fri12:30 PM to 1:15 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Interfaith Emergency Services
0.9 miles from the center of Ocala450 NW 2nd ST, Ocala, FL 34475
Hours
- Mon1 PM to 4 PM
- Tue1 PM to 4 PM
- Wed1 PM to 4 PM
- Thu1 PM to 4 PM
- Fri1 PM to 4 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Brothers Keeper Soup KItchen
1 mile from the center of Ocala435 NW 2nd ST, Ocala, FL 34475
Hours
- Mon12 PM to 12:30 PM
- Tue12 PM to 12:30 PM
- Wed12 PM to 12:30 PM
- Thu12 PM to 12:30 PM
- Fri12 PM to 12:30 PM
- Sat12 PM to 12:30 PM
- Sun12 PM to 12:30 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Gateway to Hope Pantry
4.2 miles from the center of Ocala3803 Ne 7th ST, Ocala, FL 34470
Hours
- Thu10 AM to 12:30 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Wings of Faith Fellowship Church of God
7.1 miles from the center of Ocala5920 Pecan RD, Ocala, FL 34472
Hours
- Sun4 PM to 6 PM (3rd of the month)
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Feeding His Sheep, Inc.
7.5 miles from the center of Ocala7173 SW Highway 200, Ocala, FL 34476
Hours
- Thu9 AM to 11 AM (2nd and 4th of the month)
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Ocala
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Second Harvest Food Bank Of Central Florida, Inc.
411 Mercy Drive, Orlando, FL 32805
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc.
411 N. Main Street, Suite 210, Gainesville, FL 32601
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Marion County
Ocala is in Marion County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Public health · State office
Florida Department of Health in Marion County WIC, Ocala
1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala, FL 34471
Help here
- WICApply for food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible families with young children.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marion.floridahealth.gov
Child support · County office
Marion County Clerk of Court, Child Support Depository
110 NW 1st Ave., Ocala, FL 34475
Help here
- Child support payment informationGet information about child support payments handled through the county depository.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marioncountyclerk.org
Human services · County office
Marion County Community Services
2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470
Help here
- Housing and homelessness assistanceFind county programs and local partners that may help with housing, homelessness, or other human service needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marionfl.org
Housing help · Regional office
Ocala Housing Authority
1629 N.W. 4th Street, Ocala, FL 34475
Help here
- Affordable housingLearn about public housing and housing choice voucher programs for eligible residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ocalahousing.org
Human services · Nonprofit
United Way of Marion County 2-1-1
Help here
- Information and referralsCall 2-1-1 to find local help with needs such as housing, health care, childcare, jobs, and other services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on uwmc.org
Public health · State office
Florida Department of Health in Marion County, Ocala Facility
1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala, FL 34471
Help here
- County health servicesVisit the health department for services such as family planning, immunizations, refugee health, and testing for sexually transmitted infections.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marion.floridahealth.gov
Florida programs by kind of help
These are run by Florida 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
Talk to a person
- United Way of Marion County 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988