Harvard
Ask about Harvard
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Harvard and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Harvard
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · Regional office
United Way 211 of McHenry County
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 any time for referrals to local help with housing, food, utilities, health care, child care, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on uwmchenry.org
Local office · City office
Harvard City Hall
201 West Diggins Street, Harvard, IL 60033
Help here
- City services and resident questionsContact City Hall for help with city services and questions about local government.
- Water and sewer bill paymentsPay a city water bill online or use the drop box outside City Hall.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofharvard.org
Older adults · Nonprofit
Harvard Community Senior Center
6817 Harvard Hills Road, Harvard, IL 60033
Help here
- Senior programs and activitiesAttend activities and programs at the senior center during its open hours.
- SHIP counselingContact the center to arrange an appointment with a counselor for Medicare questions.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on harvardseniorcenter.org
Library · City office
Harvard Diggins Library
900 East McKinley Street, Harvard, IL 60033
Help here
- Library cards and borrowingGet a library card to borrow books and use resources at the library and other area libraries.
- Digital library materialsUse your library card to borrow e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and other digital materials.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on harvard-diggins.org
Checked on October 9, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Harvard first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
ICNA Relief USA Chicago
56 miles from the center of Harvard2809 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Hours
- Thu10 AM to 1 PM
- Sat10 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60659, 60645 and 60625
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Agents of Hope Training and Information Center
56 miles from the center of Harvard2736 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Hours
- Mon2 PM to 5 PM
- Tue2 PM to 5 PM
- Wed2 PM to 4 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60659 and 60645
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Howard Area Community Center
56 miles from the center of Harvard7648 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60626
Hours
- Mon2 PM to 4 PM
- Wed10 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60626, 60645, 60660 and 60659, and in ZIP codes 60202 and 60201
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Helping Our People Excel Community Development Corporation
57 miles from the center of Harvard5912 W Iowa St, Chicago, IL 60651
Hours
- Fri12 PM to 2 PM
Who can come: Cook County residents
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Care for Friends
58 miles from the center of Harvard5749 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60660
Hours
- Mon10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Sat10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Who can come: Cook County residents
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Chicago Hope Inc.
58 miles from the center of Harvard2505 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
Hours
- Mon4 PM to 6 PM
- Thu10 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60651, 60618, 60622, 60639, 60641 and 60647
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Harvard
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
Northern Illinois Food Bank
273 Dearborn Court, Geneva, IL 60134
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
Prairie State Legal Services, 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
McHenry County Housing Authority
1125 Mitchell Court, Crystal Lake, IL 60014-1723
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of McHenry County
Harvard is in McHenry County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
State office
Illinois Department of Human Services McHenry County Family Community Resource Center
512 Clay Street, Woodstock, IL 60098
Help here
- Benefits applicationsApply for SNAP, cash assistance, and medical benefits through the state office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.state.il.us
Human services · Regional office
211 McHenry County
Help here
- Information and referralCall 211 to speak with a referral specialist who can help you find local services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on mchenrycountyil.gov
Public health · County office
McHenry County Department of Health
2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Building A, Woodstock, IL 60098
Help here
- Public health clinics and programsGet vaccinations, screenings, maternal and child health services, and help with communicable diseases.
- WICEligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children under five can get food and nutrition support.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mchenrycountyil.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
McHenry County Law Library and Legal Self-Help Center
Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098
Help here
- Court self-helpGet court process information, forms, and referrals to legal help.
- Law libraryUse legal reference materials and computers to research laws and court forms.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mchenrycircuitclerk.org
Community action · Nonprofit
Community Action Agency for McHenry County, Inc.
100 N. Benton Street, Suite 3, Woodstock, IL 60098
Help here
- Head Start and family servicesFind early learning and family support programs through the community action agency.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on headstartmchenrycounty.org
Older adults · Regional office
AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois
1910 S. Highland Avenue, Suite 100, Lombard, IL 60148
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportAgeGuide connects older adults and caregivers in Grundy County with aging services and resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ageguide.org
Illinois programs by kind of help
These are run by Illinois 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 - 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 211 of McHenry County
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