Nelson County

Local offices in Nelson County

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Human services · State office

  Eastern Plains Human Service Zone

  210 B Ave. W., Suite 104, Lakota, ND 58344

  Help here

  • Economic assistanceApply for SNAP, Medicaid, child care assistance, heating assistance, or TANF, or ask about a benefits case.Apply online
  Call 701-247-2945DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.nd.gov

• Public health · County office

  WIC (Nelson County)

  210 B Ave W, Suite 304, Lakota, ND 58344

  Help here

  • Women, Infants, and Children nutrition programEligible pregnant or postpartum people and children under five can get food support, nutrition education, and health referrals.
  Call 701-247-2263DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ndcarechoice.hhs.nd.gov

• Community action · Nonprofit

  Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency

  223 4th Street NE, Devils Lake, ND 58301

  Help here

  • Community action servicesAsk about local help with basic needs, food, shelter, utilities, and other services for low-income households.
  Call 701-662-6500DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dpcaa.org

• Housing help · County office

  Nelson County Housing Authority

  208 Main St, Lakota, ND 58344

  Help here

  • Rental and housing assistanceAsk about rental and housing assistance for eligible residents.
  Call 701-247-2293DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ndcarechoice.hhs.nd.gov

• Local office · Regional office

  FirstLink 2-1-1

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 for free, confidential help finding local services and support.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on hhs.nd.gov

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Nelson County District Court

  210 B Ave W, Suite 203, Lakota, ND 58344

  Help here

  • District court servicesVisit or call the clerk for information about court matters in Nelson County.
  Call 701-247-2462DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ndcourts.gov

• Older adults · State office

  North Dakota Aging and Disability Resource Link

  Help here

  • Aging and disability resource helpCall for information about services for older adults and people with disabilities.
  Call 855-462-5465Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.nd.gov

• Veterans · County office

  Nelson County Veterans Service Office

  210 B Avenue West, Suite 202, Lakota, ND 58344

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits helpGet help applying for veterans benefits and connecting with veterans services.
  Call 701-247-2531DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on veterans.nd.gov

• Emergency help · County office

  Nelson County Emergency Management

  210 B Ave W, Suite 302, Lakota, ND 58344

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness and responseContact the county emergency manager about local emergency preparedness and response.
  Call 701-247-2472DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on des.nd.gov

Nelson County, North Dakota website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Nelson County

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Job help near Nelson 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.

CareerOneStop lists no American Job Center in Nelson County. These are the closest.

• American Job Center

  Job Service North Dakota - Devils Lake

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  24 miles away

  301 College Drive South, Devils Lake, ND 58301

  Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (CT) Monday-Friday

  Call 701-662-9300DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on March 5, 2026

• American Job Center

  Grand Forks Job Service

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  61 miles away

  1501 28th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND 58201

  Hours: 8:00am - 5: 00pm Mon. - Fri.

  Call 701-795-3700DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on August 20, 2026

• American Job Center

  Job Service North Dakota - Jamestown

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  79 miles away

  1307 12th Ave NE, Suite 3, Jamestown, ND 58401

  Hours: 8 :00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday

  Call 701-253-6200DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on March 23, 2026

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 Nelson County

• Aneta
• Lakota
• McVille
• Michigan City
• Pekin
• Petersburg
• Tolna

North Dakota programs by kind of help

These are run by North Dakota 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