Steele County

Local offices in Steele County

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

• Human services · County office

  Minnesota Prairie County Alliance, Steele County site

  630 Florence Avenue, Owatonna, MN 55060

  Help here

  • Human and social servicesGet help with food, cash, health care, child care, child support, mental health, substance use, disability, and family services.
  Call 507-431-5600DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · Regional office

  Minnesota 211

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 to find local help with food, housing, health care, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on mnbenefits.mn.gov

• Housing help · City office

  Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority

  540 West Hills Circle, Owatonna, MN 55060

  Help here

  • Rental assistanceEligible households can apply for rental assistance through housing voucher programs.
  Call 507-444-4351DirectionsWebsite

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

• Public health · County office

  Steele County Public Health

  635 Florence Avenue, Owatonna, MN 55060

  Help here

  • Public health servicesGet public health information, family health services, and connections to local health resources.
  • WIC nutrition programEligible pregnant or postpartum people, infants, and children under five can get nutrition support, breastfeeding help, food benefits, and referrals.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 507-444-7650DirectionsWebsite

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

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Steele County District Court

  111 East Main Street, Owatonna, MN 55060

  Help here

  • Court self-help and law libraryPeople representing themselves can use courthouse self-help resources and the law library to find legal information and court forms.Read more
  Call 507-686-7012DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on steelecountymn.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.
  Call 507-288-6944DirectionsWebsite

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

• Veterans · County office

  Steele County Veteran Services

  630 Florence Avenue, Owatonna, MN 55060

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits and assistanceVeterans and their families can get help understanding and applying for state and federal benefits.
  • Veterans transportationVeterans can schedule non-emergency rides to the Minneapolis VA Hospital by calling at least 48 hours ahead.
  Call 507-444-7460DirectionsWebsite

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

• Emergency help · County office

  Steele County Emergency & Risk Management

  2655 Alexander Street SW, Owatonna, MN 55060

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness and responseGet information about preparing for emergencies and county response and recovery services.
  Call 507-444-7700DirectionsWebsite

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

• Jobs and training · State office

  CareerForce in Owatonna

  1850 Austin Road, Suite 102, Owatonna, MN 55060

  Help here

  • Job and career servicesGet help with job searches, career planning, and connections to employment services.
  Call 507-333-2088DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on careerforcemn.com

Steele County, Minnesota website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Steele County

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

Cities and towns in Steele County

• Blooming Prairie
• Ellendalenot checked yet
• Medford
• Owatonna

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