Columbia

Local offices in Columbia

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

• Local office · Regional office

  211 Southwestern Illinois

  Help here

  • Local help and referralsCall 211 for free, confidential referrals to local help with housing, utilities, food, health care, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

  Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on 211illinois.org

• Local office · City office

  City Hall

  208 S Rapp, Columbia, IL 62236

  Help here

  • City services and clerk's officeVisit or call City Hall for help with city services and the Clerk's Office.
  • Water, sewer, and trash billsSet up city utility service, pay bills, or ask about payment options at the Clerk's Office.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 618-281-7144DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on columbiail.gov

• Library · Regional office

  Columbia Public Library

  106 N Metter Avenue, Columbia, IL 62236

  Help here

  • Library servicesBorrow books and other materials, use library resources, and get help from library staff.
  Call 618-281-4237DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on columbialibrary.org

City of Columbia, Illinois website

Checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Columbia

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

Offices for all of Monroe County

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

• Local office · Nonprofit

  211 Illinois

  Help here

  • Help finding local servicesCall 211 any time to get connected with local help for housing, food, utilities, health care, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

  Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on 211illinois.org

• Public health · County office

  Monroe County Health Department

  1315 Jamie Lane, Waterloo, IL 62298

  Help here

  • Public health servicesGet immunizations, health screenings, health education, and help with communicable disease concerns.Read more
  • WICEligible pregnant or postpartum people, infants, and children under five can get nutrition help and healthy foods.Apply onlineRead more
  • Health coverage applicationsGet help applying for SNAP and Medicaid.Read more
  Call 618-939-3871DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecountyhealth.org

• Courts and legal help · County office

  Monroe County Circuit Clerk and Law Library

  100 S. Main St., Room 115, Waterloo, IL 62298

  Help here

  • Court access and law libraryUse the public terminal in the law library to access court cases, do research, e-file, or join a Zoom hearing.
  Call 618-939-8681DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecountyil.gov

• Older adults · Regional office

  AgeSmart Community Resources

  7 Bronze Pointe S, Suite B, Swansea, IL 62226

  Help here

  • Aging and caregiver supportAgeSmart connects older adults and caregivers in Bond County with information, options counseling, and respite support.
  Call 618-222-2561DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on agesmart.org

• Emergency help · County office

  Monroe County Emergency Management Agency

  100 South Main, Waterloo, IL 62298

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness informationGet county emergency information and sign up for local alerts.
  Call 618-939-8681DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecountyil.gov

• Jobs and training · Regional office

  Monroe County Workforce Development

  Help here

  • Workforce assistanceContact the county workforce development office for help with employment services.
  Call 618-939-3332Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecountyil.gov

Everything in Monroe County

Illinois programs by kind of help

These are run by Illinois 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
• 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