Erie County
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Local offices in Erie County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Erie County Department of Social Services
158 Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Help here
- SNAPApply for food benefits or get help with a SNAP application.Apply onlineRead more
- Temporary Assistance and emergency helpGet information about cash assistance and help with urgent needs such as housing or utility bills.Read more
- MedicaidGet help applying for Medicaid and other public health insurance.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on www3.erie.gov
Child support · County office
Erie County Office of Child Support Enforcement
95 Franklin Street, Room 230, Buffalo, NY 14202
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support services and questions about a support case.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on www3.erie.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
Catholic Charities WIC
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportGet nutrition help, breastfeeding support, referrals, and food benefits for eligible families.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ccwny.org
Housing help · Regional office
Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
300 Perry Street, Buffalo, NY 14204
Help here
- Public housing and Section 8Apply for public housing or a housing choice voucher if you meet the program rules.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on bmhahousing.com
Public health · County office
Erie County Department of Health
608 William Street, Buffalo, NY 14206
Help here
- Public health clinicsGet county clinic services such as immunizations, family planning, and sexual health care.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on www3.erie.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Erie County Department of Mental Health
95 Franklin Street, Room 1237, Buffalo, NY 14202
Help here
- Behavioral health care coordinationGet information and referrals to community mental health and support services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on www3.erie.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Supreme Court Library at Buffalo
77 West Eagle Street, Buffalo, NY 14202-3991
Help here
- Public law libraryUse legal information and research materials available to the public.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nycourts.gov
Older adults · County office
Erie County Department of Senior Services / NY Connects
95 Franklin Street, 13th Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202
Help here
- Aging and long-term care informationTalk with staff about long-term care choices and services for older adults and people with disabilities.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on www3.erie.gov
Veterans · County office
Erie County Veterans Service Agency
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet free help preparing, filing, and tracking claims for veterans benefits.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on www3.erie.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Buffalo Career Center
284 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Help here
- Job search and career servicesGet free help with looking for work, career planning, and job search services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on dol.ny.gov
State office · County office
Erie County Auto Bureau
170 Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesVisit an Auto Bureau for driver license, permit, vehicle registration, and other DMV transactions.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on www4.erie.gov
Emergency help · County office
Erie County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
45 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on www4.erie.gov
Library · Regional office
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
Help here
- Library cards and resourcesGet a library card to borrow books and digital items and use library computers.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on buffalolibrary.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Erie County, closest to the center of Buffalo first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Buffalo City Mission Food Pantry
Buffalo City Mission
0.5 miles from the center of Buffalo100 E. Tupper Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 12 PM. Subject to change
- Wed10 AM to 12 PM. Subject to change
Listed on buffalocitymission.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Community Meal Program
Buffalo City Mission
0.5 miles from the center of Buffalo100 E. Tupper Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Hours
- Mon8:30 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 12 PM. Lunch; 4 PM to 4:30 PM. Dinner
- Tue8:30 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 12 PM. Lunch; 4 PM to 4:30 PM. Dinner
- Wed8:30 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 12 PM. Lunch; 4 PM to 4:30 PM. Dinner
- Thu8:30 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 12 PM. Lunch; 4 PM to 4:30 PM. Dinner
- Fri8:30 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 12 PM. Lunch; 4 PM to 4:30 PM. Dinner
- Sat8:30 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 12 PM. Lunch; 4 PM to 4:30 PM. Dinner
- Sun8:30 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 12 PM. Lunch; 4 PM to 4:30 PM. Dinner
Who can come: Everyone is welcome
Listed on buffalocitymission.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Mobile Food Pantry
The Salvation Army Buffalo Area Services
0.7 miles from the center of Buffalo960 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Hours
- Tue2 PM to 3 PM (1st of the month)
Listed on easternusa.salvationarmy.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Emergency Food Assistance
The Salvation Army Buffalo Area Services
0.8 miles from the center of Buffalo1000 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 1 PM
- Wed11 AM to 2 PM
- Fri9 AM to 1 PM
Listed on easternusa.salvationarmy.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Food Pantry at 206 S. Elmwood Ave.
Evergreen Health
1 mile from the center of Buffalo206 S. Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14201
Hours
- Mon9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- Tue1 PM to 3 PM
- Thu1 PM to 3 PM
- Fri9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Who can come: Eligible Evergreen Health patients and residents of ZIP code 14201
What to bring: Complete a short intake with the pantry representative
Listed on evergreenhs.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Friends of Night People, Inc. Food Pantry
Friends of Night People, Inc.
1.2 miles from the center of Buffalo394 Hudson Street, Buffalo, NY 14201
Hours
- Tue7 PM to 9 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 14201, 14213, and 14222
What to bring: Bring photo identification, proof of residency, and income verification
Listed on friendsofnightpeople.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Erie 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
FeedMore Western New York, Inc.
100 James E. Casey Dr., Buffalo, NY 14206
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
Neighborhood 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 Organization of Western New York, Inc.
45 Jewett Avenue, Suite 150, Buffalo, NY 14214
Listed on dos.ny.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Erie County
New York programs by kind of help
These are run by New York 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
- 211 WNY
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