Sarasota

Local offices in Sarasota

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

• Housing help · City office

  Office of Housing and Community Development

  1575 2nd Street, Sarasota, FL

  Help here

  • Housing and community development programsFind information about city housing programs, including SHIP and Community Development Block Grant programs.
  DirectionsWebsite

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

• Housing help · Regional office

  Sarasota Housing Authority

  269 S. Osprey Avenue, Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34236

  Help here

  • Housing Choice Voucher assistanceThe Housing Choice Voucher program helps eligible families pay rent in privately owned homes.Read more
  Call 941-361-6210DirectionsWebsite

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

• Utilities · City office

  City of Sarasota Utility Billing Office

  1575 2nd Street, Sarasota, FL

  Help here

  • Utility accounts and billsGet help starting water, sewer, or solid waste service and paying your city utility bill.
  Call 941-263-6260DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · City office

  City of Sarasota Customer Service

  1565 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

  Help here

  • City information and service requestsCall for help finding the right city department or reporting a city service issue.
  Call 941-263-6000DirectionsWebsite

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

• Jobs and training · Regional office

  CareerSource Suncoast Sarasota Career Center

  3660 N. Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34234

  Help here

  • Job search and career servicesGet help with job searches, career planning, and workforce services.
  Call 941-358-4200DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on careersourcesuncoast.com

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Parks and Recreation Department

  Help here

  • Recreation programs and facilitiesFind city recreation programs, parks, community centers, pools, and other facilities.
  Call 941-263-6640Website

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

City of Sarasota website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Sarasota first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Free grocery market

  Central Grocery Store

  Grace Church

  61 miles from the center of Sarasota

  13 SE 21st Place, Cape Coral, FL 33990

  Hours

  Hours not listed. Call first.

  Each Sunday after the 10am Sunday worship service.

  Who can come: Anyone in the community

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on egracechurch.com, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Sarasota

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

Offices for all of Sarasota County

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

• Human services · County office

  Sarasota County Human Services

  1 Apex Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240

  Help here

  • Human services information and referralsContact the county for information about food assistance and other local human services.
  • Behavioral health system coordinationThe county coordinates community programs for people affected by mental health or substance use concerns.Read more
  Call 941-861-5000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on scgov.net

• State office

  South County WIC Office

  6919 Outreach Way, North Port, FL 34287

  Help here

  • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)WIC helps eligible families get healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals.Read more
  Call 941-861-3336DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sarasota.floridahealth.gov

• Human services · Nonprofit

  211 Suncoast Cares

  Help here

  • Community help and referralsCall 211 for information about local help with housing, food, health care, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211suncoastcares.org

• Public health · State office

  Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County

  2200 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237

  Help here

  • County health servicesContact the health department for public health services and information in Sarasota County.
  Call 941-861-2900DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sarasota.floridahealth.gov

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Sarasota Self Help Center and Law Library

  2002 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34237

  Help here

  • Court self-help and legal researchGet help finding court forms and using legal research resources.
  Call 941-861-8191DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on jud12.flcourts.org

• Older adults · Regional office

  Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida

  2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112, Fort Myers, FL 33916

  Help here

  • Aging and disability resource helpOlder adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers can get information and referrals to local support and long-term care resources.
  Call 866-413-5337DirectionsWebsite

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

Everything in Sarasota 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.
• 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