Columbus
Ask about Columbus
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Columbus and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Columbus
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · City office
Department of Development, Human Services
90 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Human services resourcesThe city supports community programs that help residents with shelter, housing stability, and financial security.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
Housing help · City office
Department of Development, Housing Division
111 N. Front Street, 3rd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Housing assistance informationThe Housing Division provides information about city housing programs and services for residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
880 E. 11th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
Help here
- Affordable housing and rental assistanceAsk about public housing, housing choice vouchers, and other rental assistance programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cmhanet.com
Utilities · City office
Columbus Water & Power
111 N. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Utility bill discountsEligible customers can apply for discounts on water or power bills.Apply onlineRead more
- Utility payment plansCustomers can ask for a payment plan or a short extension on a city utility bill.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
Public health · City office
Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Public health servicesResidents can get public health services such as immunizations, testing, and family health care.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
Courts and legal help · City office
Community Relations Commission
1410 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
Help here
- Discrimination complaintsThe commission investigates discrimination complaints and offers voluntary mediation.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
State office
Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Central Office
30 E. Broad Street, 5th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- State civil rights complaintsResidents can contact the commission about discrimination complaints under Ohio civil rights laws.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on civ.ohio.gov
Human services · City office
Department of Neighborhoods
1410 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
Help here
- Neighborhood supportNeighborhood liaisons help residents connect with city services and address community concerns.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
Veterans · City office
City of Columbus Veterans Services Coordinator
77 N. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Veteran community connectionsThe coordinator connects veterans and veteran service organizations with city contacts and support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
Local office · City office
311 Customer Service Center
90 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- City service requests and informationCall or contact 311 to report problems such as potholes or request nonemergency city services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
Immigrant services · City office
New American Program
1410 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
Help here
- Immigrant and refugee supportThe program connects immigrants and refugees with city resources and language access support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
State office
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1970 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223
Help here
- Driver license and identification informationContact the BMV for driver license, state identification, and vehicle registration services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on bmv.ohio.gov
Library · Regional office
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Help here
- Library servicesResidents can use library branches for books, computers, Wi-Fi, and learning resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbuslibrary.org
Local office · Regional office
Central Ohio Transit Authority Customer Experience Center
33 N. High Street, Columbus, OH
Help here
- Reduced transit faresEligible riders can visit the center to set up half price fares on COTA services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cota.com
Parks and recreation · City office
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
Help here
- Recreation programs and parksResidents can find recreation programs, community centers, parks, and trails through the department.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Columbus first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
NNEMAP Food Pantry
0.7 miles from the center of Columbus677 E. 11th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 12 PM
- Tue9 AM to 12 PM
- Wed9 AM to 12 PM
- Thu3 PM to 6 PM
Who can come: All ZIP codes
What to bring: ID and proof of address required
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The Dream Center
1.2 miles from the center of Columbus38 W. Greenwood Ave., Columbus, OH 43201
Hours
- Tue9 AM to 12 PM
- Thu9 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: All ZIP codes
What to bring: ID preferred but not required
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Broadway United Methodist Church
1.4 miles from the center of Columbus501 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Hours
- Tue12 PM to 2 PM
- Thu12 PM to 2 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 43201, 43211, and 43215
What to bring: Photo ID required
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Neighborhood Services, Inc.
1.5 miles from the center of Columbus1950 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH 43201
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 1 PM
- Tue10 AM to 1 PM
- Wed10 AM to 1 PM
- Thu10 AM to 1 PM
- Sun1 PM to 3 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 43201, 43202, 43210, 43211, 43212, 43219, 43220, 43221, 43224, and 43229
What to bring: Scheduling opens one hour before service. Make appointments in person; first come, first served.
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Holy Family Church Soup Kitchen & Food
Holy Family Church
2.3 miles from the center of Columbus588 W. Gay St., Columbus, OH 43215
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 12 PM
- Tue10 AM to 12 PM
- Wed10 AM to 12 PM
- Thu10 AM to 12 PM
- Fri10 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 43215, 43222, 43223, 43204, 43228, 43123, and 43119
What to bring: Adult ID, documents for children, and proof of address required
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Holy Rosary/St. John Food Pantry
2.4 miles from the center of Columbus660 S. Ohio Ave., Columbus, OH 43205
Hours
- Tue10 AM to 12 PM
- Thu10 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 43205 and 43206
What to bring: Photo ID required
Listed on columbus.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Columbus
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
Mid-Ohio Food Collective
3960 Brookham Dr., Grove City, OH 43123
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
IMPACT Community Action
700 Bryden Road, Columbus, OH 43215
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Franklin County
Columbus is in Franklin County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
1721 Northland Park Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229
Help here
- Food, cash, medical, and child care assistanceApply for SNAP, cash assistance, Medicaid, or child care help at one of the county's drop-off offices.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on franklincountyohio.gov
Public health · City office
Columbus Public Health WIC
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportWIC offers food benefits, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to eligible pregnant or postpartum people, infants, and children under five.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbus.gov
Child support · County office
Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency
80 E. Fulton Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing parentage, setting or enforcing child support orders, and accessing case services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on franklincountyohio.gov
Human services · Regional office
LSS 211 Central Ohio
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 to find local help with food, housing, utility bills, health care, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on lssnetworkofhope.org
Public health · County office
Franklin County Public Health
280 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Public health servicesGet public health information and help with health services for county residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on myfcph.org
Mental health and recovery · County office
Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Franklin County
447 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Behavioral health service referralsFind local mental health and addiction services through the board's provider network.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on adamhfranklin.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
- LSS 211 Central Ohio
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