Highlands
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Local offices in Highlands
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
Town Hall
210 N 4th Street, Highlands, NC 28741
Help here
- Town services and utility billingAsk about town services, start or manage utility service, and get help with your utility bill.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on highlandsnc.org
Local office · Regional office
NC 211
Help here
- Community service referralsCall or search online to find local help with needs such as food, housing, health care, and utilities.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nc211.org
Library · Regional office
Hudson Library
554 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books and other materials, use public computers and Wi-Fi, and get help with technology and library programs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on fontanalib.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Highlands Civic Center
600 N 4th Street, Highlands, NC 28741
Help here
- Recreation and community facilitiesVisit for recreation activities, fitness facilities, and information about meeting rooms.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on highlandsnc.org
Checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Highlands
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
MANNA FoodBank
99 Broadpointe Dr., Mills River, NC 28759
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
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
Macon Program for Progress, Inc.
82 East Orchard View Lane, Franklin, NC 28744
Listed on ncdhhs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Highlands
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.
CareerOneStop lists no American Job Center in Highlands. These are the closest.
American Job Center
NCWorks Career Center- Macon County
Also helps people leaving jail or prison
14 miles away
5 West Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734
Hours: Monday -Thursday, 8:30am - 5pm;( Closes 12pm-1pm for lunch ) Friday’s, 8:30am - Noon.
Updated by CareerOneStop on September 23, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
NCWorks Career Center- Jackson County
22 miles away
26 Ridgeway Street, Suite 2 P.O. Box 1014, Sylva, NC 28779
Hours: Mon and Wed 8:30 am -4:30 pm,(Closed 12pm-1pm for lunch) Fri 8:30-12:pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on April 14, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
NCWorks Career Center- Swain County
29 miles away
33 Fryemont Street, Mariana Black Library, Bryson City, NC 28713
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 AM-4:30 PM, Closed 12-1:00 PM
Updated by CareerOneStop on April 14, 2026
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
Southwestern Workforce Development Board
125 Bonnie Lane, Sylva, NC 28779
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.
Offices for all of Macon County
Highlands is in Macon County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Macon County Department of Social Services
1832 Lakeside Drive, Franklin, NC 28734
Help here
- Food, Medicaid, and family assistanceApply for food assistance, Medicaid, and other benefits through the county.Apply online
- Child support servicesGet help establishing parentage or a child support order and collecting payments.
- Child and adult protective servicesReport suspected abuse or neglect and get help with protective services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gis.maconnc.org
Public health · County office
Macon County Public Health WIC Program
1830 Lakeside Drive, Franklin, NC 28734
Help here
- WIC food and nutrition supportEligible pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and children under five can get nutrition support and food benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gis.maconnc.org
Public health · County office
Macon County Public Health
1830 Lakeside Drive, Franklin, NC 28734
Help here
- Public health and clinic servicesGet immunizations, clinical services, and other public health help from the county health department.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gis.maconnc.org
Older adults · County office
Macon County Senior Services
108 Wayah Street, Franklin, NC 28734
Help here
- Senior and caregiver supportOlder adults and caregivers can get help with meals, in-home support, adult day care, and caregiver services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gis.maconnc.org
Veterans · County office
Macon County Veterans Services
104 East Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help applying for veterans benefits, including disability compensation, pensions, burial benefits, and education benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gis.maconnc.org
Emergency help · County office
Macon County Emergency Services
104 East Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and coordinationGet county emergency information and learn how to prepare for or respond to a disaster.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gis.maconnc.org
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