Howard County

Local offices in Howard County

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

• Human services · County office

  Howard County General Assistance

  137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136

  Help here

  • General assistanceContact the county to ask about local help for basic needs.
  Call 563-547-2880DirectionsWebsite

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

• State office

  Iowa Health and Human Services, Howard County

  205 E Second Street, Cresco, IA 52136

  Help here

  • State benefits servicesCall Iowa HHS about benefits for Howard County; in-person service is by appointment and served by the Winneshiek County office.Apply online
  Call 563-382-2928DirectionsWebsite

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

• Public health · County office

  Howard County Environmental Health

  137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136

  Help here

  • Well and septic servicesGet permits, inspections, and help with private wells and septic systems.
  Call 563-547-9209DirectionsWebsite

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

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Howard County Clerk of Court

  137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136

  Help here

  • Court information and self-help resourcesContact the clerk for court information and links to Iowa court self-help resources.
  Call 563-547-9206DirectionsWebsite

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

• Human services · County office

  Howard County Social Services

  205 E 2nd Street, Cresco, IA 52136

  Help here

  • Disability case managementCase managers help people with disabilities choose and coordinate county or Medicaid services.
  Call 563-547-9207DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · Regional office

  Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging

  3840 W. 9th Street, Waterloo, IA 50702

  Help here

  • Aging and caregiver supportGet help finding services that support older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities.
  Call 800-779-8707DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nei3a.org

• Veterans · County office

  Howard County Veterans Affairs

  137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136

  Help here

  • Veterans assistance and benefitsVeterans and their families can ask for help with local aid and federal benefits.
  Call 563-547-9212DirectionsWebsite

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

• Emergency help · County office

  Howard County Emergency Management and E911

  124 South Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness and 911 informationGet information about county emergency alerts and 911 services.
  Call 563-547-9208DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · Regional office

  Iowa 211

  Help here

  • Help finding local servicesCall or search Iowa 211 to find local help with basic needs and community services.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211iowa.org

• Library · City office

  Cresco Public Library

  320 North Elm, Cresco, IA 52136

  Help here

  • Library cards, computers, and other library servicesGet a library card, use technology services, request an interlibrary loan, or ask for computer help.
  Call 563-547-2540DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cresco.lib.ia.us

Howard County, Iowa website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Howard County

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

Cities and towns in Howard County

• Chester
• Cresco
• Elma
• Lime Springs
• Protivin

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