Dakota County
Ask about Dakota County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Dakota County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Dakota County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · County office
Dakota County Community Development Agency
1228 Town Centre Drive, Eagan, MN 55123
Help here
- Housing assistanceFind information about affordable rental housing, rental assistance, and housing programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dakotacda.org
Public health · County office
Dakota County Public Health
Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., West St. Paul, MN 55118
Help here
- Public health servicesContact the county for public health programs, clinics, and health information.
- WICWIC offers eligible families healthy foods, nutrition information, and lactation support.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dakotacountymn.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Dakota County Law Library
Dakota County Judicial Center, 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033
Help here
- Legal information and self-help resourcesUse legal research tools and get information about court forms and legal clinics.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dakotacountymn.gov
Human services · County office
Dakota County Social Services
Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., West St. Paul, MN 55118
Help here
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dakotacountymn.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
Help here
- Aging services informationGet connected to services and resources for older adults and caregivers.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on metroaging.org
Veterans · County office
Dakota County Veterans Services
Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., Suite 420, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help applying for county, state, and federal benefits for veterans and their families.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dakotacountymn.gov
Emergency help · County office
Dakota County Emergency Management
Law Enforcement Center, 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationFind information to prepare for emergencies and learn about local risks.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dakotacountymn.gov
Library · County office
Dakota County Library
Library Administration, Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan, MN 55123
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card, borrow materials, use computers, and access learning resources.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dakotacountymn.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Dakota County, closest to the center of Lakeville first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church
Loaves & Fishes
16 miles from the center of Lakeville5300 10th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Hours
- Wed5 PM to 6 PM
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on loavesandfishesmn.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Neighborhood House on Montreal Food Market
Neighborhood House
17 miles from the center of Lakeville1080 Montreal Ave, St. Paul, MN 55116
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 11:30 AM; 1 PM to 4 PM
- Tue9 AM to 11:30 AM; 1 PM to 4 PM
- Wed9 AM to 11:30 AM; 1 PM to 4 PM
What to bring: No appointment necessary. Shoppers may visit two times per month.
Listed on neighborhoodhousemn.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
FCS Food Hub
Friendship Community Services
18 miles from the center of Lakeville2600 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
The second and fourth Saturday of every month
Listed on friendshipcommunityservices.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Food Distribution Center
Sabathani Community Center
18 miles from the center of Lakeville310 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Hours
- Mon9:30 AM to 11:30 AM; 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Tue9:30 AM to 11:30 AM; 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Wed9:30 AM to 11:30 AM; 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Thu9:30 AM to 11:30 AM; 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Who can come: Anyone in need of food assistance.
What to bring: No ID or proof of income is required. Appointments are encouraged; walk-ins are welcome as capacity allows. First-time visitors complete a one-time intake form.
Listed on sabathani.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Harvest from the Heart
18 miles from the center of Lakeville3817 Pleasant Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Hours
- Tue11 AM to 4 PM
- Wed11 AM to 4 PM
- Thu11 AM to 4 PM
- Fri11 AM to 4 PM
Listed on harvestfromtheheart.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Salvation Army Temple Corps
Loaves & Fishes
19 miles from the center of Lakeville1604 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Hours
- Mon12 PM to 1 PM
- Tue12 PM to 1 PM
- Wed12 PM to 1 PM
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on loavesandfishesmn.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Dakota County
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Second Harvest Heartland
7101 Winnetka Avenue N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Community Action Partnership of Scott, Carver, and Dakota Counties
712 Canterbury Rd S, Shakopee, MN 55379-1840
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Dakota County
Minnesota programs by kind of help
These are run by Minnesota 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
Talk to a person
- United Way 211 Minnesota
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 800-543-7709 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988