Franklin County
Ask about Franklin County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Franklin County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Franklin County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
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
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
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
Courts and legal help · County office
Franklin County Law Library
369 South High Street, 10th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Legal research resourcesUse legal research materials and ask library staff for help locating legal resources and forms.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on franklincountyohio.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Franklin County Municipal Court Self Help Center
375 S. High Street, 16th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Self-representation court resourcesGet court forms and basic information if you are representing yourself in a civil case.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on franklincountymunicourt.org
Older adults · County office
Franklin County Office on Aging
280 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Senior Options and aging servicesOlder adults and their families can ask about meals, personal care, respite, and other support.
- Adult Protective ServicesReport concerns that an older adult may be abused, neglected, or exploited.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on franklincountyohio.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
3776 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43207
Help here
- Information and support for older adults and caregiversGet information about aging services, caregiver support, and help to live safely at home.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on coaaa.org
Veterans · County office
Franklin County Veterans Service Commission
280 E. Broad Street, Room 100, Columbus, OH 43215
Help here
- Veterans benefits and financial assistanceEligible veterans can ask for help with VA benefit claims and short-term financial needs.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on franklincountyohio.gov
Emergency help · County office
Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security
5300 Strawberry Farms Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43230
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationGet information to help prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on fcemhs.org
Jobs and training · Regional office
OhioMeansJobs Center Columbus-Franklin County
1111 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205
Help here
- Job search and career servicesJob seekers can get help with job searches, career planning, training, and related support.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on omjcfc.org
State office
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223
Help here
- Driver licensing and identificationGet information about state driver licenses and identification cards at the Ohio BMV.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on bmv.ohio.gov
Library · Regional office
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Help here
- Library services and resourcesGet a library card and use books, digital resources, and other library services across the system.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbuslibrary.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Franklin County, 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 Franklin 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
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
Cities and towns in Franklin County
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