Orange County
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Local offices in Orange County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Orange County Department of Social Services
113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Help here
- Public benefits and family supportApply for food, medical, child care, and emergency assistance programs through the county.
- Child supportGet help with child support services and payments.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on orangecountync.gov
Public health · County office
Orange County WIC Program
300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five can get food and nutrition support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on orangecountync.gov
Community action · Nonprofit
Central Piedmont Community Action
503 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Help here
- Community action servicesAsk about support with basic needs, housing, employment, and education.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cpcanc.org
Housing help · County office
Orange County Housing Department
300 West Tryon Street, 3rd floor, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Help here
- Housing and rental assistanceAsk about emergency rent help, housing choice vouchers, and home repair assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on orangecountync.gov
Public health · County office
Orange County Health Department
300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Help here
- Public health and clinic servicesGet health clinic, dental, environmental health, immunization, nutrition, and refugee health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on orangecountync.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Orange County Courthouse
106 East Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Help here
- Court forms and self-help resourcesFind court forms and online resources for common court services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nccourts.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Central Pines Area Agency on Aging
4307 Emperor Boulevard, Suite 110, Durham, NC 27703
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportGet information about aging services, caregiver support, and long-term care concerns.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on centralpinesnc.gov
Veterans · County office
Orange County Veteran Services
306 Revere Road, Hillsborough, NC
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceVeterans and their families can get help understanding benefits and preparing applications.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on orangecountync.gov
Emergency help · County office
Orange County Emergency Services
Help here
- Emergency management and preparednessGet information about county emergency preparedness and response services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on orangecountync.gov
Jobs and training · County office
Skills Development Center / NCWorks
203 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC 27510
Help here
- Career and employment helpGet help with job searches, resumes, training, and unemployment claims.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on orangecountync.gov
State office
NCDMV Driver License Office, Hillsborough
1201 U.S. Highway 70 West, Hillsborough, NC
Help here
- Driver license servicesVisit the office for driver license services offered by the North Carolina DMV.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdot.gov
Library · County office
Orange County Public Library
137 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books and other materials, use computers, and access library programs and meeting spaces.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on orangecountync.gov
Orange County, North Carolina website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Orange County, closest to the center of Chapel Hill first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Parktown Food Hub
7.7 miles from the center of Chapel Hill5123 Revere Rd, Durham, NC 27713
Hours
- Thu4:30 PM to 5:30 PM (2nd and 4th of the month)
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on foodfinder.foodbankcenc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
West End Free Thursday Market at Lyon Park
West End Community Foundation, Inc.
8 miles from the center of Chapel Hill1309 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
Saturday Distribution: the Walk-Up Table
BaggingIt4Kids
8.2 miles from the center of Chapel Hill1925 Yearby Ave, Durham, NC 27705
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
8.6 miles from the center of Chapel Hill1902 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
Mobile pantry
West End Community Collaboration Mobile Market
West End Community Foundation, Inc.
8.8 miles from the center of Chapel Hill504 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
9.3 miles from the center of Chapel Hill406 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701
Hours
- Sat: times not listed, call first
Listed on baggingit4kids.wixsite.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Orange 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 Orange 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 Access Point -Capital Area (Orange County)
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
2.2 miles away
203 S. Greensboro St., Suite 340, Carrboro, NC 27510
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on April 14, 2026
Youth program
Orange County Dept. of Social Services
9.8 miles away
113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278
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
Capital Area Workforce Development Board
5942 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, NC 27609
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 Orange 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