Independence
Ask about Independence
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Independence and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Independence
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
Independence City Hall
555 S Main St, Independence, OR 97351
Help here
- City services and utility billingGet help with city services, utility bills, and utility service at City Hall.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on ci.independence.or.us
Local office · Nonprofit
211info
Help here
- Local resource referralsCall 211info to find local help with food, housing, health care, child care, utilities, jobs, and other needs.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211info.org
Library · City office
Independence Public Library
175 Monmouth St, Independence, OR 97351
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books and other materials, get reference help, and join library programs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on ci.independence.or.us
Checked on October 9, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Independence first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Neighborhood House
48 miles from the center of Independence8959 SW Barbur Blvd, Portland, OR 97219
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 4 PM
- Wed10 AM to 4 PM
- Thu2 PM to 6 PM
Listed on foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Tabernacle SDA Church
Portland Adventist Community Services (PACS)
51 miles from the center of Independence26 SW Condor Way, Portland, OR 97239
Hours
- Thu4 PM to 6 PM (last of the month)
Listed on pacsonline.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Woodstock Pantry
All Saints Episcopal Church
51 miles from the center of Independence4033 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
Hours
- Fri12 PM to 2 PM
- Sat12 PM to 2 PM
Who can come: Local households and unhoused individuals across Southeast Portland
Listed on allsaintspdx.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Downtown hospitality center
Operation Nightwatch
52 miles from the center of Independence1432 SW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97201
Hours
- Thu6:30 PM to 10 PM
- Fri6:30 PM to 10 PM
- Sat6:30 PM to 10 PM
Who can come: People experiencing homelessness, low-income individuals, and people facing other barriers
Listed on operationnightwatch.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Francis Center
52 miles from the center of Independence6535 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 1:30 PM
- Tue10 AM to 1:30 PM
- Wed10 AM to 1:30 PM
- Thu10 AM to 1:30 PM
Who can come: All people
What to bring: Visits are limited to once per month. People without housing may visit once per week.
Listed on franciscenterpdx.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Union Gospel Mission
Union Gospel Mission Portland
53 miles from the center of Independence15 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Tuesday-Friday: 2:00 PM light lunch while supplies last. Wednesday-Friday: 8:00 PM dinner while supplies last. Saturday: 11:00 AM meal.
Who can come: People in need
Listed on ugmportland.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Independence
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
Oregon Food Bank
7900 NE 33rd Drive, Portland, OR 97211
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 Services of Oregon
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
Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency - MWVCAA
2475 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301-4520
Listed on oregon.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Polk County
Independence is in Polk County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Public health · County office
Polk County WIC
182 SW Academy St, Suite 302, Dallas, OR 97338
Help here
- WICGet nutrition support and food benefits for eligible women, infants, and children.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyor.gov
Child support · County office
Polk County Child Support Enforcement
850 Main Street, Dallas, OR 97338
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing, changing, or enforcing a child support order.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyor.gov
Human services · County office
Polk County Family & Community Outreach
1407 Monmouth-Independence Hwy, Monmouth, OR 97361
Help here
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyor.gov
Community action · County office
Polk Community Resource Center
1407 Monmouth-Independence Hwy, Monmouth, OR 97361
Help here
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcommunityresourcecenter.com
Housing help · Regional office
West Valley Housing Authority
204 SW Walnut Ave, Dallas, OR 97338
Help here
- Housing assistanceApply for public housing and housing voucher assistance.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wvpha.org
Public health · County office
Polk County Public Health
182 SW Academy St, Suite 302, Dallas, OR 97338
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information and services for public health needs, including home visiting and vital records.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyor.gov
Oregon programs by kind of help
These are run by Oregon 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
- 211info
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