Union County
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Local offices in Union County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office · City office
City of Plainfield WIC Program
510 Watchung Ave., Plainfield, NJ 07060
Help here
- WIC nutrition benefitsEligible pregnant or postpartum people, infants, and young children can apply for WIC food and nutrition support.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov
Human services · Nonprofit
NJ 211
Help here
- Information and referralsCall 211 to find local help with housing, food, health care, bills, and other needs.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nj211.org
Community action · Nonprofit
PROCEED, Inc.
1126 Dickinson St., Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Help here
- Family and community supportUnion County residents can ask about family support, health services, and help with energy costs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on proceedinc.com
Courts and legal help · State office
Union Vicinage Court User Resource Center
Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad St., Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Help here
- Court self-help and procedural informationGet help understanding court forms and procedures, plus referrals to community services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on njcourts.gov
Library · Regional office
Libraries of Union County Consortium
Help here
- Public library servicesFind public libraries across Union County and access their educational and recreational services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on luccnj.org
County of Union, New Jersey website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Union County, closest to the center of Elizabeth first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Newark Bible Fellowship Church FOOD PANTRY
Newark Bible Fellowship Church
3.9 miles from the center of Elizabeth30 Randolph Place, Newark, NJ 07108
Hours
- Wed9:30 AM to 12 PM (2nd and 3rd and 4th of the month)
- Sat9:30 AM to 12 PM (2nd and 3rd and 4th of the month)
Listed on newarkbiblefellowshipchurchnj.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Food Ministry
Grace Church in Newark
4.6 miles from the center of Elizabeth950 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Food Distribution at 11:00 a.m. until bags are distributed. Food Pantry: Every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. First Sunday of the Month at 1:00 p.m. Bags available Tuesday-Friday upon request.
Listed on gracechurchinnewark.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
UCC Kitchen
United Community Corporation
4.6 miles from the center of Elizabeth60 19th Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Who can come: People who are homeless or homebound
Listed on uccnewark.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Pierre Toussaint Food Pantry
Saint Mary's Church
4.8 miles from the center of Elizabeth520 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Newark, NJ 07102
Hours
- Sat9 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: Newark residents
What to bring: Current ID
Listed on smcnewark.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
St. John’s Soup Kitchen
5.2 miles from the center of Elizabeth22 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Our soup kitchen serves an average of 500 meals each day.
Who can come: Anyone who is hungry
Listed on njsk.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The Cityline Church Food Pantry
The Cityline Church
5.2 miles from the center of Elizabeth1510 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Hours
- Sat8 AM to 12 PM. Twice monthly on dates listed on the church's 2026 calendar; until supplies last
Who can come: People in need of temporary food assistance, without discrimination
What to bring: Please bring bags or a shopping cart.
Listed on weareclc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Union 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
Community Foodbank of New Jersey
31 Evans Terminal, Hillside, NJ 07205
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
Central Jersey 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
Plainfield Action Services
Serves the City of Plainfield only
515 Watchung Avenue, City Hall Annex Building, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Listed on nj.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Union County
Serves Union County except Plainfield
10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Administration Building, Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Listed on nj.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Union County
New Jersey programs by kind of help
These are run by New Jersey 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
- NJ 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988