South Bend
Ask about South Bend
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for South Bend and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in South Bend
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office
St. Joseph County Division of Family Resources Office
401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 375, South Bend, IN 46617-2737
Help here
- Public benefits applicationsApply for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and other state benefits at the local office.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on in.gov
Human services · City office
Community Investment, Neighborhoods and Building Departments
215 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 500, South Bend, IN 46601
Help here
- City and community support resourcesFind local programs for housing, utilities, food, and other needs through the city’s resource directory.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on southbendin.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of South Bend
501 Alonzo Watson Dr., South Bend, IN 46601
Help here
- Public housingApply for affordable public housing for eligible families and seniors.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hasbonline.com
Utilities · City office
South Bend Municipal Utilities
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601
Help here
- Utility bill and water service helpPay a city utility bill, start or transfer water service, or ask for help with your account.
- Utility Assistance ProgramApply for a monthly discount on your city water and sewer bill if you meet the income rules.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on southbendin.gov
Local office · City office
South Bend 311 Service Center
215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601
Help here
- City service questions and requestsCall or visit 311 for information about city services or to request help with a city issue.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 311.southbendin.gov
Jobs and training · State office
WorkOne St. Joseph County
220 W. Colfax Ave., 2nd Floor, South Bend, IN 46601
Help here
- Job and career servicesGet help with job searches, career advice, training, and employment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on in.gov
State office
South Bend BMV Branch
1139 E. Ireland Road, South Bend, IN 46601-2447
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesVisit the branch for driver license, identification, and vehicle registration services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on in.gov
Library · Regional office
St. Joseph County Public Library
304 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card, borrow books and other materials, and use public computers and learning resources.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sjcpl.org
Parks and recreation · City office
South Bend Venues, Parks & Arts
219 S. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend, IN 46617
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind city recreation programs, events, and activities for children and adults.
- Older adult programsFind activities and programs for older adults, including senior workouts.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on southbendin.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve South Bend
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
Food Bank of Northern Indiana
702 Chapin Street, South Bend, IN 46601
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
Indiana Legal Services, 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
Real Services, Inc.
1151 S Michigan St, P.O. Box 1835, South Bend, IN 46601-3427
Listed on in.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of St. Joseph County
South Bend is in St. Joseph County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Public health · State office
St. Joseph County WIC, South Bend Clinic
325 N Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
Help here
- WIC nutrition assistanceEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children can apply for WIC food and nutrition support.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on in.gov
Child support · County office
St. Joseph County Child Support Prosecutor
227 W Jefferson Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
Help here
- Child support servicesThe child support office helps with child support cases and related services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on in.gov
State office
Indiana Division of Family Resources, South Bend Office
401 E Colfax Avenue, Suite 375, South Bend, IN 46617
Help here
- Food and cash assistanceResidents can apply for food and cash assistance and get help with current benefits.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on in.gov
State office
Indiana Division of Family Resources, Mishawaka Office
102 N Center Street, Suite 500, Mishawaka, IN 46544
Help here
- Food and cash assistanceResidents can apply for food and cash assistance and get help with current benefits.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on in.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of South Bend
Help here
- Public housingThe housing authority accepts applications for public housing when its wait list is open.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hasbonline.com
Public health · County office
St. Joseph County Department of Health
227 W Jefferson Blvd, Room 825, South Bend, IN 46601
Help here
- County public health servicesContact the health department for local public health services and information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on in.gov
Indiana programs by kind of help
These are run by Indiana 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
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