Madison County

Local offices in Madison County

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

• Human services · County office

  Madison County General Assistance

  MATURA Outreach Center, 1724 N. John Wayne Dr., Winterset, IA 50273

  Help here

  • General assistanceYou can apply for county help with basic needs if you meet the county’s eligibility rules.
  Call 515-462-4704DirectionsWebsite

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

• State office

  Madison County Iowa Health and Human Services

  209 E. Madison St., Winterset, IA 50273; by appointment only, served by the Dallas County office

  Help here

  • Public benefits applicationsYou can apply for Iowa benefits through HHS online or arrange an in-person appointment at this location.Apply online
  Call 515-993-5817DirectionsWebsite

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

• Community action · Nonprofit

  MATURA Madison County Outreach Center

  1724 N. John Wayne Dr., Winterset, IA 50273

  Help here

  • Community action servicesContact the outreach center to ask about local assistance and community programs.
  Call 515-462-4704DirectionsWebsite

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

• Housing help · Regional office

  Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority

  1201 SE Gateway Drive, Grimes, IA 50111

  Help here

  • Housing assistanceAsk about housing vouchers and income-based rental homes.Apply online
  Call 515-986-1882DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cirhahome.org

• Public health · County office

  Madison County Public Health

  209 E. Madison St., Winterset, IA 50273

  Help here

  • Immunization servicesCall the department to ask about vaccine services and appointments.
  • Health educationThe department offers health education for children and adults.
  Call 515-462-9051DirectionsWebsite

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

• Mental health and recovery · Regional office

  Central Iowa Community Services

  112 John Wayne Dr., Winterset, IA 50273

  Help here

  • Mental health and disability servicesContact the regional service office for help finding mental health or disability services.
  Call 515-493-1219DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · Regional office

  211 Iowa

  Help here

  • Information and referralsCall 211 to find local help with food, housing, utility bills, health care, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

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

• Older adults · Regional office

  Aging Resources of Central Iowa

  5838 Grand Avenue, Suite 106, Des Moines, IA 50312

  Help here

  • Aging and disability supportContact the agency for local support and services for older adults and people with disabilities.
  Call 515-255-1310DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · Regional office

  Madison County Elderly Services - Winterset

  1006 N. John Wayne Dr., Winterset, IA 50273

  Help here

  • Aging servicesContact the local aging services office for help connecting with support for older adults.
  Call 866-468-7887DirectionsWebsite

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

• Veterans · County office

  Madison County Veterans Affairs

  209 E. Madison St., Winterset, IA 50273

  Help here

  • Veteran benefits helpGet help applying for veterans benefits and finding information about VA care and services.
  • Emergency assistance for veteransEligible veterans facing financial hardship may apply for temporary emergency help.
  Call 515-462-4680DirectionsWebsite

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

• Emergency help · County office

  Madison County Emergency Management and Homeland Security

  Madison County Annex, lower level, 201 W. Court Ave., Winterset, IA 50273

  Help here

  • Emergency preparednessGet information to help prepare for emergencies and local hazards.
  Call 515-462-4255DirectionsWebsite

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

Madison County, Iowa website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Madison County

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

Job help near Madison County

American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.

CareerOneStop lists no American Job Center in Madison County. These are the closest.

• American Job Center

  IowaWORKS Center - Des Moines

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  24 miles away

  200 Army Post Road, Suite 44, Des Moines, IA 50315

  Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri, 9:00am - 4:30pm Wed

  Call 515-281-9619DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on September 22, 2026

• American Job Center

  IowaWORKS Center - Creston

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  27 miles away

  215 North Elm, Creston, IA 50801

  Hours: Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm, Wed 9:00am-4:30pm

  Call 641-782-2119DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on April 6, 2026

• American Job Center

  IowaWORKS Center - Marshalltown

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  73 miles away

  Southgate Plaza- 101 Iowa Avenue West, Suite 200, Marshalltown, IA 50158

  Hours: Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm, Wed 9:00am - 4:30pm

  Call 641-754-1400DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on April 6, 2026

Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.

Cities and towns in Madison County

• Bevington
• Earlham
• East Peru
• Macksburg
• Patterson
• St. Charles
• Truro
• Winterset

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