Columbus
Ask about Columbus
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Columbus and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Columbus
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Columbus Office
2365 39th Ave., Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Economic assistance and benefitsVisit or contact the office for information about state benefits, food assistance, Medicaid, and energy assistance.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhhs.ne.gov
Human services · Nonprofit
Nebraska 211
Help here
- Help finding local supportCall 211 to find local help with housing, bills, food, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on ne211.org
Housing help · City office
Columbus Nebraska Housing Authority
2554 40th Ave., Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Affordable housingAsk about income-based housing for older adults, people with disabilities, and eligible families.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbusha.com
Utilities · City office
Water Billing
2500 14th St., Suite 3, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Water and sewer billing and serviceGet help with water or sewer bills, starting or stopping service, and account changes.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbusne.us
Local office · City office
City of Columbus City Hall
2500 14th St., Suite 3, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- City customer serviceCall City Hall for help finding the right city department or asking a general city question.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbusne.us
Older adults · City office
Columbus Senior Center
3111 19th St., Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Senior programs and activitiesFind programs and activities that support the health and independence of adults age 60 and older.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbusne.us
Jobs and training · State office
Nebraska Department of Labor, Columbus Job Center
3100 23rd St., Suite 22, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Job search and unemployment assistanceGet help with job services and unemployment questions at the Columbus Job Center.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dol.nebraska.gov
State office
Nebraska Driver Licensing Office, Platte County
Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Driver licenses and state IDsApply for or renew a Nebraska driver license, permit, or state ID at this office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.nebraska.gov
Library · City office
Columbus Public Library
2500 14th St., Suite 2, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Library materials and programsGet a library card, borrow materials, use computers, and join library programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbusne.us
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks and Recreation
2500 14th St., Suite 3, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind recreation programs and get help with park, shelter, and athletic facility rentals.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbusne.us
City of Columbus, Nebraska website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Columbus first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
FoodNet at Belmont Baptist Church
FoodNet, Inc.
53 miles from the center of Columbus3424 N 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68521
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Sundays at 3:30 p.m.
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on lincoln.ne.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Barnabas Meals
54 miles from the center of Columbus931 Saunders Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68521
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. for hot breakfast and sack lunches
Listed on lincoln.ne.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach
55 miles from the center of Columbus2121 N 27th Street, Lincoln, NE 68503
Hours
- Mon11:30 AM to 12:30 PM; 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Tue11:30 AM to 12:30 PM; 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Wed11:30 AM to 12:30 PM; 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Thu11:30 AM to 12:30 PM; 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Fri11:30 AM to 12:30 PM; 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Sat11:30 AM to 12:30 PM; 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Sun11:30 AM to 12:30 PM; 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Listed on lincoln.ne.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Matt Talbot’s Fresh Choice Pantry
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach
55 miles from the center of Columbus2121 N 27th Street, Lincoln, NE 68503
Hours
- Mon1 PM to 3 PM
- Wed1 PM to 3 PM
- Thu5 PM to 6:30 PM
- Fri1 PM to 3 PM
What to bring: Call for an appointment
Listed on lincoln.ne.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Salvation Army
55 miles from the center of Columbus2625 Potter Street, Lincoln, NE 68503
Hours
- Tue10 AM to 11 AM. Produce and bread only; 12 PM to 3:30 PM. Pantry
- Wed12 PM to 3:30 PM. Pantry
- Thu12 PM to 3:30 PM. Pantry
- Fri10 AM to 11 AM. Produce and bread only; 12 PM to 3:30 PM. Pantry
What to bring: Call for guidelines
Listed on lincoln.ne.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
FoodNet at Havelock United Methodist
FoodNet, Inc.
55 miles from the center of Columbus4140 N 60th Street, Lincoln, NE 68507
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m.
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on lincoln.ne.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Columbus
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
Food Bank for the Heartland
4645 South 84th Street, Omaha, NE 68127
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
Legal Aid of Nebraska
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
Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Inc
PO Box 509, Loup City, NE 68853-0509
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Platte County
Columbus is in Platte County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Child support · County office
Platte County Attorney’s Office Child Support Division
Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th Street, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Child support case servicesGet help establishing, changing, or enforcing child support and medical support orders.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on plattecounty.ne.gov
State office
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Columbus Office
2365 39th Avenue, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Economic assistance and MedicaidContact the office for help with state assistance programs, Medicaid, and related services.Apply onlineRead more
- Child support enforcementApply for state child support services or get help with an existing case.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhhs.ne.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Columbus Nebraska Housing Authority
2554 40th Avenue, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Housing assistanceContact the housing authority about affordable housing programs and rental assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbusha.com
Public health · Regional office
East-Central District Health Department
4321 41st Avenue, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Public health servicesFind local public health programs and services for residents of Platte County.
- WICWIC provides nutrition support for eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ecdhd.ne.gov
Local office · Regional office
Nebraska 211
Help here
- Health and human services referralsCall 211 or search online to find local health and human service resources.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on uwm211.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Platte County District Court Clerk
Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th Street, Columbus, NE 68601
Help here
- Court information and self-help resourcesGet court information and links to Nebraska court forms and legal self-help resources.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on plattecounty.ne.gov
Nebraska programs by kind of help
These are run by Nebraska 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
Talk to a person
- Nebraska 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 866-813-1731 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988