Clayton County
Ask about Clayton County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Clayton County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Clayton County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · State office
Clayton County DHS
600 Gunder Road, Elkader, IA 52043
Help here
- Income maintenance servicesContact the Fayette County office for help with income maintenance services, including public benefits.
- Social servicesContact the Winneshiek County office for help with social services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Human services · County office
Clayton County General Relief
111 High Street NE, Elkader, IA 52043
Help here
- General reliefResidents can apply for county general relief when they need help with basic expenses.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on claytoncountyia.gov
Local office · Regional office
211 Iowa
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 for help finding local food, housing, utility, health, and other support.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211iowa.org
Public health · County office
Clayton County Visiting Nurses Association
600 Gunder Road, Suite 5, Elkader, IA 52043
Help here
- Public health servicesThe VNA provides education and public health services to Clayton County residents.
- WICWIC helps eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children with nutrition and health needs.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on claytoncountyia.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Clayton County Clerk of Court
111 High Street NE, Suite 203, Elkader, IA 52043
Help here
- Court information and self-represented litigant resourcesThe clerk's office provides court contact information, and the Iowa Judicial Branch offers resources for people representing themselves.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on iowacourts.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Decorah Office
915 Short Street, Suite 169, Decorah, IA 52101
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportThe agency connects older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers with services and support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nei3a.org
Veterans · County office
Clayton County Veterans Affairs
600 Gunder Road NE, Suite 6, Elkader, IA 52043
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceThe office helps veterans and their families apply for eligible local, state, and federal benefits.
- Veteran medical transportationEligible veterans can ask the office about rides to VA medical appointments.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on claytoncountyia.gov
Emergency help · County office
Clayton County Emergency Management
600 Gunder Road NE, Suite 13, Elkader, IA 52043
Help here
- Disaster preparedness and responseThe office helps residents prepare for emergencies and shares information during disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on claytoncountyia.gov
State office · County office
Clayton County Driver's License Station
111 High Street NE, Elkader, IA 52043
Help here
- Driver's licensesResidents can visit the county driver's license station for licensing services during its posted hours.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on claytoncountyia.gov
Library · Regional office
Elkader Public Library
130 North Main Street, Elkader, IA 52043
Help here
- Library servicesResidents can borrow books and other materials, use public computers and Wi-Fi, and join library programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elkader.lib.ia.us
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Clayton County
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
Northeast Iowa Food Bank
1605 Lafayette Steet, Waterloo, IA 50703
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
Iowa Legal Aid
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
Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC)
305 N. Montgomery St., Decorah, IA 52101-0487
Listed on hhs.iowa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Clayton 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
Talk to a person
- 211 Iowa
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 800-244-7431 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988