Hancock County
Ask about Hancock County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Hancock County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Hancock County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Hancock County General Assistance
545 State St., Garner, IA 50438
Help here
- General assistanceAsk the county about help with basic needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hancockcountyia.gov
State office
Hancock County Health and Human Services
545 State St., Garner, IA 50438
Help here
- Health and human servicesAsk about state benefits and services for Hancock County residents; appointments are served by the Cerro Gordo County office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Local office · Regional office
211 Iowa
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 for help finding local food, housing, utility, health, and other support.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211iowa.org
Public health · County office
Hancock County Environmental Health
545 State St., Garner, IA 50438
Help here
- Environmental healthContact the county about environmental health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hancockcountyia.gov
Mental health and recovery · Regional office
Collaborative Individual and Community Supports
236 State St., Garner, IA 50438
Help here
- Behavioral health and disability supportsContact CICS to learn about behavioral health and disability supports in Hancock County.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cicsmhds.org
Older adults · Regional office
Elderbridge Area Agency on Aging
1190 Briarstone Dr., Suite 3, Mason City, IA 50401
Help here
- Aging services and supportElderbridge connects older adults and caregivers in Cerro Gordo County with local support and services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Veterans · County office
Hancock County Veteran Services
545 State St., Garner, IA 50438
Help here
- Veterans assistanceGet help finding and applying for veterans benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hancockcountyia.gov
Emergency help · County office
Hancock County Emergency Management
875 State St., Garner, IA 50438
Help here
- Emergency preparednessGet information about county emergency planning and preparedness.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hancockcountyia.gov
Jobs and training · State office
IowaWORKS Mason City
600 S. Pierce Ave., Mason City, IA 50401
Help here
- Job search and career helpGet career help, job search support, training information, and unemployment assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on workforce.iowa.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Hancock 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
Food Bank of Iowa
2220 E. 17th Street, Des Moines, IA 50316
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
Iowa Legal Aid
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
North Iowa Community Action Organization (NICAO)
218 5th St SW, Mason City, IA 50401
Listed on hhs.iowa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Hancock County
Iowa programs by kind of help
These are run by Iowa 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 Iowa
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 800-244-7431 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988