Chester County
Ask about Chester County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Chester County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Chester County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office
Chester County Assistance Office
100 James Buchanan Drive, Thorndale, PA 19372
Help here
- Pennsylvania public benefitsResidents can apply for or get help with SNAP, cash assistance, Medical Assistance, and heating assistance.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of Chester
30 West Barnard Street, Suite 2, West Chester, PA 19382
Help here
- Public housing and housing choice vouchersEligible residents can apply for public housing or rental help through the housing choice voucher program.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on haccnet.org
Jobs and training · Regional office
PA CareerLink Chester County
479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 500, Exton, PA 19341
Help here
- Job search and employment servicesJob seekers can get help finding work, training, and career services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pacareerlinkchesco.org
Library · County office
Chester County Library System
450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341
Help here
- Library cards and information resourcesResidents can get a library card and use books, digital resources, and library programs.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ccls.org
Chester County, Pennsylvania website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Chester County, closest to the center of West Chester first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Christ Apostolic Church of America (WOSEM)
19 miles from the center of West Chester6438 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
Hours
- Sat9:30 AM to 12 PM
- Sun1 PM to 3 PM
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Helping Hands for the Hungry
19 miles from the center of West Chester525 S. Cobbs Creek Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Hours
- Sat9:30 AM to 1 PM (4th of the month)
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Community of Compassion Inc.
19 miles from the center of West Chester6150 Cedar Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143
Hours
- Mon7 PM to 8 PM
- Tue7 PM to 8 PM
- Wed7 PM to 8 PM
- Thu7 PM to 8 PM
- Fri7 PM to 8 PM
- Sat7 PM to 8 PM
- Sun7 PM to 8 PM
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Good Samaritan Baptist Church
19 miles from the center of West Chester6148-6150 Lansdowne Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151
Hours
- Wed8:30 AM to 1 PM
- Fri11:30 AM to 3 PM
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
St Paul A.M.E. Church
19 miles from the center of West Chester8398 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Hours
- Thu10 AM to 12 PM
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Reconciliation And Liberty Bible Church
19 miles from the center of West Chester6027 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
Hours
- Sat10 AM to 12 PM
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Chester 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
Philabundance
3616 S. Galloway Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
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 Southeastern Pennsylvania
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
Chester County Department of Community Development
601 Westtown Road, Suite 365, West Chester, PA 19380
Listed on dced.pa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Chester County
Pennsylvania programs by kind of help
These are run by Pennsylvania 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 - 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
- PA 211 Chester County
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