Rice County
Ask about Rice County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Rice County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Rice County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Rice County Social Services
320 Third St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021
Help here
- Public assistance and child supportGet help applying for public assistance, child care assistance, and child support services.Apply online
- Mental health and substance use servicesContact the county for help finding mental health and substance use services.
- Adult and child servicesGet help with adult protection, foster care, and other family support services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ricecountymn.gov
Public health · County office
Rice County WIC
320 Third St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children nutrition programEligible pregnant or postpartum people, infants, and children under five can get nutrition support and food benefits.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ricecountymn.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
United Way 211 of Minnesota
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 to get free, confidential referrals to local help with basic needs and other services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211unitedway.org
Housing help · County office
Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
320 Third St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021
Help here
- Housing assistanceAsk about the county’s housing programs, including Section 8 rental assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ricecountymn.gov
Public health · County office
Rice County Public Health
320 Third St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information about health services, disease prevention, and family health programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ricecountymn.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Rice County Law Library
218 Third St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021
Help here
- Legal research resourcesUse legal research materials and get help locating information and materials.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ricecountymn.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging
2746 Superior Drive NW, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55901
Help here
- Aging services and resource navigationOlder adults and caregivers can get help finding services and planning for long-term care.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on semaaa.org
Veterans · County office
Rice County Veterans Services
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help with veterans benefits, claims, and services for dependents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ricecountymn.gov
Emergency help · County office
Rice County Emergency Management
50 East View Drive, Faribault, MN 55021
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and recoveryGet local emergency information and help finding recovery resources after a disaster.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ricecountymn.gov
Jobs and training · State office
CareerForce in Faribault
201 Lyndale Ave. S., Suite 1, Faribault, MN 55021
Help here
- Job search and career assistanceGet help with job searches, resumes, interviews, and career planning.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on careerforce.mn.gov
Rice County, Minnesota website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Rice County, closest to the center of Faribault first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church
Loaves & Fishes
42 miles from the center of Faribault5300 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
43 miles from the center of Faribault1080 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
Free grocery market
Harvest from the Heart
44 miles from the center of Faribault3817 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 grocery market
Food Distribution Center
Sabathani Community Center
44 miles from the center of Faribault310 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
Food pantry
FCS Food Hub
Friendship Community Services
44 miles from the center of Faribault2600 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 meals
St. Matthew’s Catholic Church
Loaves & Fishes
45 miles from the center of Faribault510 Hall Ave, St. Paul, MN 55107
Hours
- Mon5 PM to 6 PM
- Tue5 PM to 6 PM
- Wed5 PM to 6 PM
- Thu5 PM to 6 PM
- Fri5 PM to 6 PM
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on loavesandfishesmn.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Rice 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
Channel One Regional Food Bank
131 35th Street, SE, Rochester, MN 55904
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
Three Rivers Community Action
1414 Northstar Dr, Zumbrota, MN 55992-1091
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Rice 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 of 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