Cranston

Local offices in Cranston

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• State office

  Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Hazard Building

  41 West Road, Cranston, RI 02920

  Help here

  • Benefits and human servicesCall DHS to ask about benefits and whether an appointment is needed at this office.Apply online
  Call 855-697-4347DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.ri.gov

• Housing help · City office

  Cranston Department of Community Development

  869 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910

  Help here

  • Emergency fuel assistanceEligible Cranston residents can ask the department about emergency fuel assistance.Apply online
  • Home repair and homebuyer helpIncome-eligible residents can apply for help with home repairs or first-time homebuyer costs.Apply online
  Call 401-780-6240DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cranstonri.gov

• Housing help · Regional office

  Cranston Housing Authority

  50 Birch Street, Cranston, RI 02920

  Help here

  • Public housing and rental vouchersThe authority offers public housing and rental vouchers, and applicants can contact it about applications and wait lists.Apply online
  Call 401-944-7210DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cranstonhousing.org

• Local office · City office

  Cranston City Hall

  869 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910

  Help here

  • City information and helpCall City Hall for help finding a city department or service.
  Call 401-461-1000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cranstonri.gov

• Older adults · City office

  Cranston Department of Senior Services

  1070 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI 02920

  Help here

  • Senior programs and social servicesCranston residents age 55 and older can get help, referrals, activities, and other senior services.
  Call 401-780-6000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cranstonri.gov

• State office

  Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, Cranston Headquarters

  600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920

  Help here

  • Driver licenses and state IDsResidents can apply for or renew a driver license or state ID at the DMV by reservation.Apply online
  Call 401-462-4368DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ri.gov

• Library · City office

  Cranston Public Library

  140 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, RI 02920

  Help here

  • Library materials and programsResidents can borrow books and other materials and use library programs and services.Read more
  Call 401-943-9080DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cranstonlibrary.org

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Cranston Parks and Recreation Department

  Peter Pastore Youth Center, 155 Gansett Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910

  Help here

  • Recreation programs and facility permitsResidents can find recreation programs and request permits to use fields and courts.Apply online
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cranstonri.gov

City of Cranston website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Cranston

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Offices for all of Providence County

Cranston is in Providence County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Human services · State office

  Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Providence Office

  125 Holden St, Providence, RI 02908

  Help here

  • Public assistance and benefitsGet help with SNAP, Rhode Island Works, child care assistance, Medicaid, and other benefits.Apply online
  • Document scanningBring benefit documents to be scanned for your case.
  Call 855-697-4347DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.ri.gov

• Child support · State office

  Rhode Island Office of Child Support Services

  77 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903

  Help here

  • Child support servicesGet help with child support applications, payments, and case questions.Apply online
  Call 401-458-4400DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.ri.gov

• Community action · Nonprofit

  Community Action Partnership of Providence County

  518 Hartford Ave, Providence, RI 02909

  Help here

  • Community assistanceContact the agency to find community assistance available to Providence residents.
  Call 401-273-2000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ricommunityaction.org

• Public health · Nonprofit

  Children's Friend WIC, Berkshire Street

  99 Berkshire St, Providence, RI 02909

  Help here

  • WICApply for food benefits, nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding support for eligible pregnant people and young children.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 401-752-7590DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on health.ri.gov

• Local office · Nonprofit

  United Way of Rhode Island 211

  Help here

  • Information and referralCall 211 to find local services and support in Rhode Island.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on unitedwayri.org

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Rhode Island State Law Library

  250 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02903

  Help here

  • Legal research resourcesUse legal materials and ask library staff for help finding research resources.
  Call 401-222-3275DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on courts.ri.gov

Everything in Providence County

Rhode Island programs by kind of help

These are run by Rhode Island 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