Athens
Ask about Athens
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Athens and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Athens
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · Regional office
Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority
10 Hope Dr., Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- Public housing and rent vouchersApply for public housing or a voucher to help pay rent.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on athensmha.org
Utilities · City office
Athens Utilities Billing
8 E. Washington St., Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- Water, sewer, sanitation, and recycling billsGet utility service started, ask about a bill, or pay for water, sewer, sanitation, and recycling.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ci.athens.oh.us
Local office · City office
Athens City Hall
8 E. Washington St., Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- City Hall assistanceContact the Mayor’s Office for help finding city services and offices.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ci.athens.oh.us
Jobs and training · Regional office
OhioMeansJobs Athens County
510 W. Union St., Suite 102, Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- Job search and employment supportGet help looking for work, training for a job, or connecting with employment services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ohioarea14.org
State office
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Athens office
1002 E. State St., Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesVisit the Athens BMV office for driver licensing and vehicle services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on bmv.ohio.gov
Library · Regional office
Athens Public Library
30 Home St., Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books, use public computers and Wi-Fi, attend programs, or get help with technology.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on myacpl.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Athens Community Center
701 E. State St., Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- Community and recreation programsJoin community programs, use fitness and recreation facilities, or ask about senior memberships and activities.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ci.athens.oh.us
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Athens first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
New Birth Christian Ministries
59 miles from the center of Athens3475 Refugee Rd., Columbus, OH 43232
Hours
- Fri11 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: All ZIP codes
What to bring: Bring ID
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
First Church of God Hope Food Pantry
First Church of God
59 miles from the center of Athens3480 Refugee Rd., Columbus, OH 43232
Hours
- Sat9 AM to 11 AM (2nd and 4th of the month)
Who can come: All ZIP codes
What to bring: ID preferred
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
New Horizons Christian Church Pantry
New Horizons Christian Church
59 miles from the center of Athens2100 Williams Rd., Columbus, OH 43207
Hours
- Wed5 PM to 7 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP code 43207 and nearby
What to bring: Photo ID and proof of address required
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Christian Valley Missionary Baptist Church
59 miles from the center of Athens3330 Refugee Rd., Columbus, OH 43232
Hours
- Sat10 AM to 12 PM (3rd of the month)
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 43232 and 43227
What to bring: ID required for all adults in household
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Bishop Griffin Resource Center
61 miles from the center of Athens2875 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus, OH 43209
Hours
- Tue9 AM to 11 AM
- Wed3 PM to 5 PM
- Thu9 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 43209, 43227, and 43213
What to bring: Photo ID and recent mail with address required
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
LSS Food Pantry Champion Ave.
LSS Food Pantry
63 miles from the center of Athens1460 S. Champion Ave., Columbus, OH 43206
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 3 PM
- Tue10 AM to 3 PM
- Wed10 AM to 3 PM
- Thu10 AM to 3 PM
- Fri10 AM to 3 PM
Who can come: All ZIP codes
What to bring: Bring ID. Appointment recommended.
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Athens
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
SE Ohio Foodbank
1005 CIC Drive, Logan, OH 43138
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 Southeast and Central Ohio
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
Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action
3 Cardaras Drive, P.O. Box 220, Glouster, OH 45732-0220
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Athens County
Athens is in Athens County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Athens County Department of Job and Family Services
13183 State Route 13, Millfield, OH 45761
Help here
- Food, cash, Medicaid, and child care benefitsApply for food, cash, health care, and child care assistance through the county benefits office.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on jfs.athensoh.org
Public health · County office
Athens County WIC
215 Columbus Road, Suite 106, Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportWIC helps eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children get healthy food and nutrition support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on athenspublichealth.org
Child support · County office
Athens County Child Support Enforcement Agency
13183 State Route 13, Millfield, OH 45761
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support services, including establishing and enforcing support orders.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on jfs.athensoh.org
Housing help · Regional office
Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority
10 Hope Drive, Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- Affordable housingAsk about public housing and housing assistance programs for eligible residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on athensmha.org
Public health · County office
Athens City-County Health Department
278 West Union Street, Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- Public health servicesGet public health nursing, health education, environmental health, and vital records services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on athenspublichealth.org
Mental health and recovery · Regional office
Athens, Hocking and Vinton Counties ADAMHS Board
7990 Dairy Lane, Athens, OH 45701
Help here
- Behavioral health and recovery resourcesGet information about local mental health and addiction services and how to connect with care.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 317board.org
Ohio programs by kind of help
These are run by Ohio 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
- Ohio 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