Erie
Ask about Erie
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Erie and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Erie
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office
Erie County Assistance Office
1316 Holland Street, Erie, PA 16512
Help here
- Public benefits applicationsApply for or get help with public benefits such as SNAP, cash assistance, and Medical Assistance.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Community action · Nonprofit
United Way of Erie County 211 Helpline
Help here
- Local help and referralsCall 211 to find local help with housing, food, utilities, health care, child care, and other needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on unitedwayerie.org
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of the City of Erie
606 Holland Street, Erie, PA 16501
Help here
- Public housing applicationsPick up or submit an application for public housing at the application office.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hace.org
Utilities · City office
City of Erie Public Works
Help here
- Refuse and recyclingCall about missed trash or recycling pickup and large item collection.
- Street repairs and snow plowingCall to report potholes or ask about street plowing.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityof.erie.pa.us
Utilities · Regional office
Erie Water Works
Help here
- Water bills and water serviceContact Water Works about water bills, customer service, or water service problems.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriewater.org
Local office · City office
City of Erie Citizen Response Center
Help here
- City service questions and requestsContact the center with questions, comments, or requests about city services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityof.erie.pa.us
Jobs and training · Regional office
PA CareerLink Erie County
1647 Sassafras Street, Suite 300, Erie, PA 16502
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesVisit for help finding work, training, and other employment services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nwpajobconnect.org
State office
PennDOT Driver License Center
Summit Towne Center, 7200 Peach Street, Suite 480, Erie, PA 16509
Help here
- Driver license servicesVisit the center for driver license and photo license services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Library · County office
Erie County Public Library, Blasco Memorial Library
160 East Front Street, Erie, PA 16507
Help here
- Library services and programsVisit the library to use its collections, computers, and public programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on erielibrary.org
Parks and recreation · Regional office
Erie Park Authority
Help here
- Parks and recreationContact the authority about Erie parks and recreation programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriepark.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Erie
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
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania
1507 Grimm Drive, Erie, PA 16501
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
Northwestern Legal Services
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
Greater Erie Community Action Committee
18 West Ninth Street, Erie, PA 16501
Listed on dced.pa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Erie County
Erie is in Erie County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Child support · County office
Erie County Domestic Relations Section
140 West Sixth Street, Erie, PA 16501
Help here
- Child and spousal supportFile or change a support request, establish paternity, or get help with a support order.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on courts.eriecountypa.gov
Housing help · County office
Erie County Housing Authority
120 South Center Street, Corry, PA 16407
Help here
- Affordable housingAsk about public housing, housing choice vouchers, and other affordable housing programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriecountyhousing.org
Housing help · City office
Housing Authority of the City of Erie
606 Holland Street, Erie, PA 16501
Help here
- Housing applicationsApply for city public housing and Section 8 housing assistance.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hace.org
Public health · County office
Erie County Department of Health
606 West Second Street, Erie, PA 16507
Help here
- Public health clinics and programsFind county health clinics, health information, and family health programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriecountypa.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Erie County Office of Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities
154 West Ninth Street, Fourth Floor, Erie, PA 16501
Help here
- Mental health and intellectual disability servicesContact the office to get connected with publicly funded mental health, intellectual disability, and early intervention services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriecountypa.gov
Human services · County office
Erie County Department of Human Services
154 West Ninth Street, Erie, PA 16501
Help here
- Children and family servicesContact the department for help with child safety and family support services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriecountypa.gov
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
- United Way of Erie County 211 Helpline
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