Panama

Local offices in Panama

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

• Local office · City office

  Panama City Hall

  Help here

  • City services and utility billsContact the city clerk for city services and questions about water, sewer, or garbage bills.
  Call 712-489-2344Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on shelbycounty.iowa.gov

Checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Panama

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

Job help near Panama

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 Panama. These are the closest.

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  IowaWORKS Center - Denison

  Also helps young people

  22 miles away

  504 Hwy 39 N, Denison, IA 51442

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

  Call 712-792-2685DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on May 19, 2026

• American Job Center

  IowaWORKS Center - Council Bluffs

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  37 miles away

  300 West Broadway, Suite 13, Council Bluffs, IA 51503

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

  Call 712-352-3480DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on September 22, 2026

• American Job Center

  IowaWORKS Center - Sioux City

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  70 miles away

  2508 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101

  Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 9:00am - 4:30pm Wednesday

  Call 712-233-9030DirectionsWebsite

  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.

Offices for all of Shelby County

Panama is in Shelby County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Human services · State office

  Shelby County HHS

  612 Court Street, 1st Floor, Harlan, IA 51537

  Help here

  • Iowa Health and Human ServicesAsk about state benefits and local human services by appointment.
  Call 712-644-2460DirectionsWebsite

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

• Public health · Regional office

  WIC Clinic - Pottawattamie County in Harlan

  1700 19th Street, Harlan, IA 51537

  Help here

  • Women, Infants, and Children nutrition supportEligible pregnant and postpartum women and children under five can get nutrition help and food benefits.
  Call 712-355-3645DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pottcounty-ia.gov

• Public health · County office

  Shelby County Environmental Health

  1411 Industrial Pkwy, Harlan, IA 51537

  Help here

  • Private well testing and permitsGet private well water tested and ask about permits for wells and septic systems.
  Call 712-755-2609DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · Regional office

  Connections Area Agency on Aging

  231 S Main St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503

  Help here

  • Aging and disability servicesOlder adults and people with disabilities can call for help finding local services and support.
  Call 800-432-9209DirectionsWebsite

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

• Veterans · County office

  Shelby County Veteran Services

  612 Court St., Room 109, Harlan, IA 51537

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits and assistanceGet help applying for veterans benefits and emergency assistance for basic needs.Apply online
  Call 712-755-3907DirectionsWebsite

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

• Emergency help · County office

  Shelby County 911 Center / Emergency Management Agency

  1106 9th St., Harlan, IA 51537

  Help here

  • Emergency management informationContact the county office for emergency alerts and disaster information.
  Call 712-755-5160DirectionsWebsite

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

Everything in Shelby 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