Durham County
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Local offices in Durham County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Durham County Department of Social Services
414 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701
Help here
- Food and nutrition benefitsApply for food benefits and get help with food and nutrition services.
- MedicaidGet information and help with Medicaid for children, adults, and families.
- Child supportGet help establishing and enforcing child support orders.
- Aging and adult servicesGet support with in-home care, meals, safety, and other needs for older adults and adults with disabilities.Read more
- Work First assistanceApply for family cash assistance and employment support.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dconc.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
NC 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 to find local help with basic needs such as housing, food, utilities, and health care.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nc211.org
Public health · County office
Durham County Department of Public Health
414 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701
Help here
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dconc.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Durham County Courthouse
510 S. Dillard St., Durham, NC 27701
Help here
- Court information and servicesContact the courthouse for court information and help reaching court offices.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nccourts.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Central Pines Area Agency on Aging
4307 Emperor Blvd., Suite 110, Durham, NC 27703
Help here
- Aging information and referralsGet information and referrals to services for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in Chatham County.
- Long-term care ombudsmanContact an advocate for help with concerns about a nursing home or adult care home.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on centralpinesnc.gov
Veterans · County office
Durham County Veteran Services
201 N. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27701
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpGet help understanding veterans benefits and preparing claims forms.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dconc.gov
Emergency help · County office
Durham County Office of Emergency Services
2422 Broad Street, Durham, NC 27704
Help here
- Emergency preparednessGet emergency preparedness information and community education.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dconc.gov
Jobs and training · State office
NCWorks Durham County Career Center
1105 S. Briggs Avenue, Durham, NC 27703
Help here
- Job search and workforce helpGet in-person help with job searches, training, and employment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncworks.gov
State office
NCDMV Durham Driver License Office
101 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, NC 27703
Help here
- Driver licenses and ID cardsVisit for driver license and state ID card services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdot.gov
State office
North Carolina Department of Revenue Durham Service Center
3518 Westgate Drive, Suite 150, Durham, NC 27707
Help here
- Tax assistanceGet in-person help with state tax questions and services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdor.gov
Library · County office
Durham County Library
300 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27701
Help here
- Library servicesUse library collections, learning resources, and public programs across the county library system.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on durhamcountylibrary.org
Durham County Government website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Durham County, closest to the center of Durham first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Community Cafe
Urban Ministries of Durham
1.1 miles from the center of Durham410 Liberty Street, Durham, NC 27701
Hours
- Mon8 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast and bag lunch pickup; 6 PM to 7 PM. Dinner
- Tue8 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast and bag lunch pickup; 6 PM to 7 PM. Dinner
- Wed8 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast and bag lunch pickup; 6 PM to 7 PM. Dinner
- Thu8 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast and bag lunch pickup; 6 PM to 7 PM. Dinner
- Fri8 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast and bag lunch pickup; 6 PM to 7 PM. Dinner
- Sat9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Breakfast; 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Hot lunch; 6 PM to 7 PM. Dinner
- Sun9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Breakfast; 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Hot lunch; 6 PM to 7 PM. Dinner
Who can come: Anyone in need of a meal
Listed on umdurham.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Food Pantry & Clothing Closet
Urban Ministries of Durham
1.1 miles from the center of Durham410 Liberty Street, Durham, NC 27701
Hours
- Tue9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Listed on umdurham.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
West End Free Thursday Market at Lyon Park
West End Community Foundation, Inc.
1.4 miles from the center of Durham1309 Halley St, Durham, NC 27707
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Bi-weekly Thursdays. Market doors open at 2:00 p.m.; shopping begins at 3:00 p.m. and continues until 4:00 p.m. Adults aged 65 and older can shop at 2:30 p.m.
Listed on thewecf.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
West End Community Collaboration Mobile Market
West End Community Foundation, Inc.
1.5 miles from the center of Durham504 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
Hours
- Sat10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (3rd of the month). Plan to arrive by 9:00 a.m. to get a place in line
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on thewecf.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Saturday Distribution: the Walk-Up Table
BaggingIt4Kids
1.5 miles from the center of Durham406 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701
Hours
- Sat: times not listed, call first
Listed on baggingit4kids.wixsite.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Community Breakfast
St. Joseph's Episcopal Church
2.4 miles from the center of Durham1902 West Main St, Durham, NC 27705
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Monday through Friday at 8:00 am. Coffee hour begins at 7:00 am.
Who can come: Anyone in the Durham community
Listed on stjosephsdurham.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Durham 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
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
1924 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, NC 27604
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Nonprofit
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
1001 Blair Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
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 North Carolina, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Job help near Durham County
American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.
American Job Center
NCWorks Career Center Durham County
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
5 miles away
1105 South Briggs Avenue, Durham, NC 27703
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am until 4:30 pm; Friday 8:30 am -1:00 pm CLOSES TO PUBLIC AT 4:30
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026
Youth and reentry program
City of Durham - Transistional Jobs
For young people
0.9 miles away
807 E Main Street, Durham, NC 27701
Youth program
Durham Literacy Center - Youth Achievement Program (YAP)
1.7 miles away
1905 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC 27707
Youth and reentry program
InStepp
For young people
3 miles away
3717-B University Drive, Durham, NC 27707
Unemployment benefits in North Carolina
If you lost your job or your hours were cut, you may be able to get unemployment insurance. You apply with the state, and the state decides who qualifies.
Workforce board for this area
The workforce board plans the job and training programs here and funds the job centers. Go to a job center for help; call the board with questions about its programs.
Workforce board
Durham Workforce Development Board
807 E. Main Street, Building 5, Durham, NC 27701
Workforce board
NCWorks Commission
4348 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4348
Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.
Cities and towns in Durham County
North Carolina programs by kind of help
These are run by North Carolina 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
- NC 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