Winnebago County

Local offices in Winnebago County

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

• Human services · County office

  Winnebago County General Assistance/Relief

  216 S. 4th St., Forest City, IA 50436

  Help here

  • General assistanceContact the county to ask about general assistance for residents in need.
  Call 641-585-4763DirectionsWebsite

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

• Human services · County office

  Winnebago County Social Services

  216 S. 4th St., Forest City, IA 50436

  Help here

  • SNAP and Medicaid applicationsGet information and application forms for SNAP food assistance and Medicaid.
  • Crisis supportCall for free, confidential crisis support and help connecting to local resources.
  Call 855-581-8111DirectionsWebsite

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

• State office

  Winnebago County DHS, Iowa Health and Human Services

  126 S. Clark St., Forest City, IA 50436

  Help here

  • State benefits servicesContact Iowa HHS about state benefits services for Winnebago County residents; visits are by appointment only.Apply online
  Call 641-424-8641DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · Regional office

  211 Iowa

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsResidents can contact 211 to find local food, housing, utility, health, and other support services.Apply online
  Call 800-244-7431Website

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

• Public health · County office

  Winnebago County Public Health

  216 S. 4th St., Forest City, IA 50436

  Help here

  • Public health servicesGet public health nursing, immunizations, health education, and other community health services.
  Call 641-585-4763DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · Regional office

  Elderbridge Area Agency on Aging

  1190 Briarstone Dr., Suite 3, Mason City, IA 50401

  Help here

  • Aging services and supportElderbridge connects older adults and caregivers in Cerro Gordo County with local support and services.
  Call 800-243-0678DirectionsWebsite

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

• Veterans · County office

  Winnebago County Veterans Affairs

  216 S. 4th St., Forest City, IA 50436

  Help here

  • Veterans assistanceAsk the county veterans service officer for help with veterans benefits and services.
  Call 641-585-5736DirectionsWebsite

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

• Emergency help · County office

  Winnebago County Emergency Management

  935 Highway 69 N., Forest City, IA 50436

  Help here

  • Emergency preparednessGet local emergency preparedness information and learn about hazards affecting the county.
  Call 641-585-1942DirectionsWebsite

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

• Jobs and training · State office

  IowaWORKS Mason City

  600 S. Pierce Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401

  Help here

  • Employment servicesVisit IowaWORKS for job search help, career planning, and employment services.Read more
  DirectionsWebsite

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

• State office · County office

  Winnebago County Treasurer Driver's License Office

  126 S. Clark St., Suite 4, Forest City, IA 50436

  Help here

  • Driver's licenses and IDsSchedule an appointment to apply for or renew an Iowa driver's license or ID card.
  Call 641-585-2322DirectionsWebsite

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

Winnebago County Government website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Winnebago County

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

Job help near Winnebago 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 Winnebago County. These are the closest.

• American Job Center

  IowaWORKS Center - Mason City

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  22 miles away

  600 South Pierce Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401

  Hours: Mon, Tue, Th, Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm

  Call 641-422-1524DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on April 6, 2026

• American Job Center

  IowaWORKS Center - Fort Dodge

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  59 miles away

  330 1st Ave N, Suite G, Fort Dodge, IA 50501-5729

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

  Call 515-576-3131DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on September 22, 2026

• American Job Center

  IowaWorks Center - Spencer

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  77 miles away

  217 W 5th Street, Spencer, IA 51301-1087

  Hours: M, T, Th, F 8:00am-4:30pm W 9:00am-4:30pm

  Call 712-262-1971DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on September 11, 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 Winnebago County

• Buffalo Center
• Forest City
• Lake Mills
• Leland
• Rake
• Scarville
• Thompson

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