Rio
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Local offices in Rio
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · Nonprofit
211 Wisconsin
Help here
- Local help and referralsCall 211 to find local help with food, housing, utilities, health care, jobs, and other needs.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211wisconsin.communityos.org
Utilities · City office
Rio Water and Sewer Utility
207 Lincoln Ave, Rio, WI 53960
Help here
- Water and sewer billsPay water and sewer bills, ask billing questions, or arrange automatic payments.Apply online
- Water service informationContact the utility with questions about water service or water quality.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on riowi.gov
Local office · City office
Village Hall
207 Lincoln Ave, Rio, WI 53960
Help here
- Local government helpAsk questions about Village government and its services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on riowi.gov
Library · Regional office
Rio Community Library
324 W. Lyons Street, Rio, WI 53960
Help here
- Library materials and servicesGet a library card, borrow materials, use public computers, and print or scan documents.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on riolibrary.org
Checked on October 9, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Rio first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Lakeview Food Pantry
Lakeview Lutheran Church
23 miles from the center of Rio4001 Mandrake Road, Madison, WI 53704
Hours
- Mon4 PM to 6 PM. During daylight saving time; 2 PM to 4 PM. Outside daylight saving time
Listed on lakeviewlutheranchurch.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The River Food Pantry
23 miles from the center of Rio3301 Packers Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Hours
- Tue9 AM to 3 PM
- Wed12 PM to 6 PM
- Thu9 AM to 12 PM
- Fri9 AM to 3 PM
Who can come: Dane County community members experiencing food insecurity
Listed on riverfoodpantry.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Fritz Food Pantry
Goodman Community Center
25 miles from the center of Rio149 Waubesa St, Madison, WI 53704
Hours
- Tue9 AM to 12 PM
- Wed5:30 PM to 8 PM
- Thu12 PM to 3 PM
Who can come: Anyone in the community who needs it
Listed on goodmancenter.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Luke House
26 miles from the center of Rio310 South Ingersoll Street, Madison, WI 53703
Hours
- Mon11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Lunch; 5:45 PM to 6:30 PM. Dinner
- Tue11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Lunch; 5:45 PM to 6:30 PM. Dinner
- Wed11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Lunch; 5:45 PM to 6:30 PM. Dinner
- Thu11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Lunch; 5:45 PM to 6:30 PM. Dinner
- Sun5:45 PM to 6:30 PM. Dinner
Listed on lukehousemadison.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Grace Food Pantry
Grace Episcopal Church
27 miles from the center of Rio116 West Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703
Hours
- Tue1 PM to 3 PM
- Wed1 PM to 3 PM
- Thu1 PM to 3 PM
- Sat10 AM to 12 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
What to bring: Information for each household member and proof of Wisconsin address are required
Listed on gracechurchmadison.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
BLW Food Pantry
Bridge-Lake Point-Waunona Neighborhood Center
28 miles from the center of Rio1917 Lake Point Drive, Madison, WI 53713
Hours
- Thu11 AM to 12:30 PM (1st of the month)
What to bring: No ID or proof of address is required; call to register
Listed on blwcenter.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Rio
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 Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718
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 Action of Wisconsin, Inc.
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
Central Wisconsin Community Action Council, Inc.
1000 State Highway 13, PO Box 430, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-9021
Listed on dcf.wisconsin.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Rio
American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.
CareerOneStop lists no American Job Center in Rio. These are the closest.
American Job Center
Dane County Job Center
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
24 miles away
1819 Aberg Avenue, Madison, WI 53704
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:30pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on August 25, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
Sauk County Job Center
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
25 miles away
505 Broadway Street, Room B27, Baraboo, WI 53913
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm by appointment Resource Room Monday 9:00 am-2:30 pm & Tuesdays 12:30 pm-2:30pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on September 29, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
Workforce Development Center of Jefferson County
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
38 miles away
874 Collins Road, Jefferson, WI 53549
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:45am - 4:30pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on September 14, 2026
Unemployment benefits in Wisconsin
If you lost your job or your hours were cut, you may be able to get unemployment insurance. You apply with the state, and the state decides who qualifies.
Workforce board for this area
The workforce board plans the job and training programs here and funds the job centers. Go to a job center for help; call the board with questions about its programs.
Workforce board
Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, Inc.
3513 Anderson Street, Suite 104, Madison, WI 53704
Workforce board
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
201 East Washington Avenue, E108, PO Box 7972 (53707), Madison, WI 53703
Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.
Offices for all of Columbia County
Rio is in Columbia County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Columbia County Department of Health and Human Services
111 E. Mullett St., Portage, WI 53901
Help here
- Benefits helpGet help applying for or managing FoodShare, BadgerCare Plus, and other benefits.Apply onlineRead more
- Behavioral health and recovery servicesContact the county for mental health and substance use services and support.
- Public health servicesGet information and services that help protect community health and safety.Read more
- WICApply for nutrition support for eligible pregnant people, infants, and children under age five.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on co.columbia.wi.us
Child support · County office
Columbia County Child Support Agency
400 DeWitt St., Portage, WI 53901
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing paternity and setting up or enforcing child support and medical support orders.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on co.columbia.wi.us
Older adults · County office
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Columbia County
111 E. Mullett St., Portage, WI 53901
Help here
- Aging and disability supportGet help finding long-term care, disability supports, transportation, meals, and other local resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on co.columbia.wi.us
Veterans · County office
Columbia County Veterans Service Office
112 E. Edgewater St., Portage, WI 53901
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpGet counseling and help with veterans benefits claims and referrals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on co.columbia.wi.us
State office
Wisconsin DMV Portage Service Center
2888 Village Road, Portage, WI 53901
Help here
- Driver licenses and ID cardsApply for or renew a driver license or state ID card in person.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on trust.dot.state.wi.us
Library · Regional office
South Central Library System
1650 Pankratz St., Madison, WI 53704
Help here
- Library system servicesFind shared library resources and services available through member libraries in Columbia County.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on scls.info
Wisconsin programs by kind of help
These are run by Wisconsin 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
- 211 Wisconsin
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