Bay County
Ask about Bay County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Bay County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Bay County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Public health · State office
Florida Department of Health in Bay County
597 W 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)WIC offers eligible families food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on bay.floridahealth.gov
Local office · Regional office
211 Northwest Florida
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 for help finding food, housing, health care, and other local support.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on uwwf.org
Housing authority · Regional office
Panama City Housing Authority
2315 Ruth Hentz Avenue, Panama City, FL 32405
Help here
- Public housing and rental assistanceContact the authority about public housing and Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on panamacityhousing.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Bay County Law Library
898 W 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Help here
- Legal research resourcesUse legal books, research tools, and self-help resources at the library.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on baycountyfl.gov
Older adults · Nonprofit
Bay County Council on Aging
1116 Frankford Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401
Help here
- Aging and home-based supportAsk about programs for older adults, including home-based support and caregiver services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on baycouncilonaging.org
Veterans · County office
Bay County Veterans Services
840 W 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpGet help applying for veterans benefits, health care, pensions, disability compensation, and burial benefits.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on baycountyfl.gov
Emergency help · County office
Bay County Emergency Management
700 Highway 2300, Southport, FL 32409
Help here
- Disaster preparedness and recoveryGet information about preparing for disasters, evacuation, shelters, and recovery resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on baycountyfl.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
CareerSource Gulf Coast Bay County Job Centers
5230 W Highway 98, Student Union East, Room 62, Panama City, FL 32401
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesGet help finding a job, building job skills, and accessing workforce programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on careersourcegc.com
Library · County office
Northwest Regional Library System
898 W 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Help here
- Library servicesUse library books, public computers, learning programs, and research resources.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on nwrls.com
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Bay 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
Feeding the Gulf Coast
5248 Mobile South Street, Theodore, AL 36582
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 Services of North Florida, 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
Tri-County Community Council, Inc.
302 North Oklahoma Street P.O. Box 1210, Bonifay, FL 32425
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Bay County
Florida programs by kind of help
These are run by Florida 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.
- GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
- TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
- 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.
- LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.
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 Northwest Florida
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