Bristol County

Local offices in Bristol County

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

• Public health · State office

  Fall River WIC Program

  387 Quarry Street, Suite 101, Fall River, MA 02723

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition programEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children can apply for food and nutrition support.Apply online
  Call 508-679-9349DirectionsWebsite

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

• State office

  DTA Fall River Transitional Assistance Office

  1567 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 02720

  Help here

  • Food and cash assistanceResidents can apply for food and cash benefits and get help with their DTA case.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 508-646-6200DirectionsWebsite

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

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Bristol Law Library

  9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780

  Help here

  • Legal research helpThe public can get help with legal research and use law books and online legal databases.
  Call 508-824-7632DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · Regional office

  Bristol Aging & Wellness

  1 Father DeValles Boulevard, Unit 8, Fall River, MA 02723

  Help here

  • Aging and caregiver supportOlder adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers can get help finding home care, meals, and other support.
  Call 508-675-2101DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · Regional office

  Coastline Elderly Services

  863 Belleville Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02745

  Help here

  • Aging and caregiver supportOlder adults and caregivers in the New Bedford area can get help with home care, meals, and support services.
  Call 508-999-6400DirectionsWebsite

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

• Jobs and training · State office

  MassHire Fall River Career Center

  446 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 02720

  Help here

  • Job search and trainingJob seekers can get help with job searches, career advice, training, and workshops.Read more
  Call 508-730-5000DirectionsWebsite

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

• Jobs and training · State office

  MassHire Taunton Career Center

  72 School Street, Taunton, MA 02780

  Help here

  • Job search and trainingJob seekers can get help with job searches, career advice, training, and workshops.
  Call 508-730-5000DirectionsWebsite

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

• State office

  Fall River RMV Service Center

  1794 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 02720

  Help here

  • Driver and vehicle servicesResidents can handle in-person driver's license, identification, and vehicle registration transactions by appointment.Apply online
  DirectionsWebsite

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

• State office

  Taunton RMV Service Center

  1 Washington Street, Taunton, MA 02780

  Help here

  • Driver and vehicle servicesResidents can handle in-person driver's license, identification, and vehicle registration transactions by appointment.Apply online
  DirectionsWebsite

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

Bristol County website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals in Bristol County, closest to the center of New Bedford first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Food pantry

  The Food Pantry at Harbor Health

  Harbor Health

  44 miles from the center of New Bedford

  10 Minot Street, Dorchester, MA 02122

  Hours

  • Tue8:30 AM to 3 PM (1st and 2nd and 3rd of the month). Clients may attend once per month

  Who can come: All are welcome

  What to bring: Register as a client. Calling ahead to register saves time.

  Call 617-533-2228DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on hhsi.us, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  DotHouse Health Food Pantry

  DotHouse Health

  45 miles from the center of New Bedford

  1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02122

  Hours

  • Tue11 AM to 12 PM. Seniors
  • Wed8 AM to 10 AM. Community pantry

  Who can come: Dorchester and Mattapan residents

  Call 617-288-3230DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on dorchesterhouse.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  The Centre Food Hub Food Pantry

  The Centre for Faith, Art, and Justice

  45 miles from the center of New Bedford

  3702 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

  Hours

  • Tue12 PM to 5 PM
  • Wed12 PM to 5 PM
  • Thu3 PM to 6:30 PM
  • Fri12 PM to 5 PM
  • Sat11 AM to 2 PM

  Who can come: Anyone who needs free groceries, as long as the pantry has capacity

  What to bring: Sign up online

  Languages: Spanish

  Call 617-971-8840DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on thecentrejp.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Yawkey Center Food Pantry

  Catholic Charities Boston

  45 miles from the center of New Bedford

  185 Columbia Road, Dorchester, MA 02121

  Hours

  • Mon10 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 2 PM
  • Tue10 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 2 PM
  • Wed10 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 2 PM
  • Thu10 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 2 PM
  • Fri10 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 2 PM

  What to bring: When possible, bring your name and address and the names and dates of birth of household members.

  Call 617-506-6600DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on ccab.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Pilgrim Church's Food Pantry

  Pilgrim Trinitarian Congregational Church

  46 miles from the center of New Bedford

  540 Columbia Road, Dorchester, MA 02125

  Hours

  • Wed11 AM to 5 PM. Or until food runs out

  What to bring: Bring four bags or a carriage. Food is available once a month, but not two weeks in a row.

  Languages: American Sign Language

  Call 617-282-0456DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on pilgrimchurch1862.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  St. Mary's Episcopal Church Food Pantry

  St. Mary's Episcopal Church

  46 miles from the center of New Bedford

  14 Cushing Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125

  Hours

  • Tue9:30 AM to 11:30 AM (2nd and 4th of the month)

  Who can come: All are welcome

  Call 617-282-3181DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on stmarysdorchester.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Bristol County

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

Cities and towns in Bristol County

• Attleboro
• Fall River
• New Bedford
• North Attleborough Town
• Taunton

Massachusetts programs by kind of help

These are run by Massachusetts 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
• 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