Altoona

Local offices in Altoona

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

• Utilities · City office

  Altoona Utility Billing

  900 Venbury Drive, Suite A, Altoona, IA 50009

  Help here

  • Water billing and serviceContact the city about water billing or to arrange water service.
  Call 515-967-5136DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on altoona-iowa.com

• Library · City office

  Altoona Public Library

  700 8th Street SW, Altoona, IA 50009

  Help here

  • Library servicesVisit the library to borrow books and use its public programs and resources.
  Call 515-967-3881DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on altoonalibrary.com

• Local office · City office

  Altoona City Hall

  900 Venbury Drive, Suite A, Altoona, IA 50009

  Help here

  • City government informationContact City Hall for help finding city services and departments.
  Call 515-967-5136DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on altoona-iowa.com

City of Altoona website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Altoona

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

Offices for all of Polk County

Altoona is in Polk County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Human services · County office

  Polk County General Assistance

  2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310

  Help here

  • Emergency assistanceEligible residents can apply for temporary help with rent, utilities, food, clothing, and other basic needs.Apply online
  Call 515-286-2088DirectionsWebsite

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

• Child support · State office

  Des Moines Child Support Services

  420 Watson Powell Jr Pkwy, Suite 150, Des Moines, IA 50309

  Help here

  • Child support servicesParents can contact this office for help with child support services in Polk County.
  Call 515-261-5864DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov

• State office

  Polk County HHS

  2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310

  Help here

  • State benefits and human servicesResidents can contact this state office about HHS services and benefit eligibility.Apply online
  • Child support servicesParents can get help with child support services at the Des Moines office serving Polk County.Read more
  Call 515-725-2600DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov

• Local office · Regional office

  211 Iowa

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 for help finding local food, housing, utility, health, and other support.
  Call 800-244-7431Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211iowa.org

• Housing help · County office

  Polk County Housing Services Division

  5885 NE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50313

  Help here

  • Home repair and weatherizationEligible residents can seek help with urgent home repairs or work that reduces energy use and bills.
  Call 515-286-3356DirectionsWebsite

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

• Public health · County office

  Polk County Health Department

  1907 Carpenter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314

  Help here

  • Public health servicesCall or visit for county health services, immunizations, health screenings, and public health information.Read more
  Call 515-286-3798DirectionsWebsite

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

Everything in Polk County

Iowa programs by kind of help

These are run by Iowa 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