Schenectady
Ask about Schenectady
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Schenectady and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Schenectady
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
Fair Housing Program
105 Jay Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Help here
- Fair housing and tenant referralsGet help with housing discrimination concerns and referrals for landlord or tenant issues.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofschenectady.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority
375 Broadway, Schenectady, NY 12305
Help here
- Public housing and housing vouchersAsk about public housing and housing choice vouchers administered by the authority.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smha1.org
Utilities · City office
Water Department
105 Jay Street, Room 09, Schenectady, NY 12305
Help here
- Water service questionsContact the department with questions about city water service.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofschenectady.gov
Utilities · City office
Bureau of Receipts (Tax Payments)
Help here
- Water and sewer bill paymentsPay or ask about city and county taxes, water and sewer charges, and trash fees on the city bill.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofschenectady.gov
Local office · City office
City Hall
105 Jay Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Help here
- City information and service referralsCall City Hall for general city information or to be directed to the right department.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofschenectady.gov
Older adults · Nonprofit
Schenectady Senior Center
Help here
- Senior meals and activitiesAdults can call to reserve a meal and ask about the center's programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofschenectady.gov
Local office · Regional office
211 Northeast New York
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 or search online to find local help with basic needs and community services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211neny.org
Jobs and training · State office
Schenectady Job Training Agency
797 Broadway, Schenectady, NY 12305
Help here
- Career center servicesGet help finding a job, training for work, and using employment services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on dol.ny.gov
Library · County office
Hon. Karen B. Johnson Main Library
99 Clinton Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Help here
- Public library servicesBorrow books and other materials, use public computers, or join a class or library event.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on scpl.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks and Recreation Department
1732 Foster Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12308
Help here
- Parks and recreationFind city parks, pools, facility rentals, and recreation information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofschenectady.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Schenectady
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
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
965 Albany Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110
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 Society of Northeastern New York, 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
Schenectady County
Listed on dos.ny.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Schenectady County
Schenectady is in Schenectady County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Schenectady County Department of Social Services
797 Broadway, Schenectady, NY 12305
Help here
- Public assistance and benefitsApply for SNAP, temporary assistance, Medicaid, child care help, and emergency assistance.Apply online
- Child support servicesGet help establishing parentage, locating a parent, and applying for or enforcing child support.Read more
- Child and family servicesGet help with child welfare, foster care, and family support services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on schenectadycountyny.gov
Human services · Regional office
211 Northeast New York
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 for free, confidential help finding local food, housing, child care, and other support.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211neny.org
Public health · County office
Schenectady County WIC
650 Franklin Street, Suite 200, Schenectady, NY 12305
Help here
- WIC nutrition assistanceEligible families can get healthy foods, nutrition information, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on schenectadycountyny.gov
Community action · Nonprofit
Schenectady Community Action Program
913 Albany Street, Schenectady, NY 12307
Help here
- Community resource navigationGet help finding local resources and support for family stability and self-sufficiency.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on scapny.org
Public health · County office
Schenectady County Public Health Services
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information and services that help prevent disease and protect community health.
- Behavioral health and substance use coordinationGet connected with local mental health and substance use services.
- Emergency preparednessGet public health information and emergency preparedness support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on schenectadycountyny.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Joseph F. Egan Memorial Supreme Court Law Library
Schenectady County Judicial Building, 612 State Street, 3rd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305
Help here
- Public legal research libraryUse legal reference books, public computers, and online legal resources for research.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nycourts.gov
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 Northeast New York
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