Polk County
Ask about Polk County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Polk County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Polk County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Polk County General Assistance
2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Help here
- Emergency assistanceEligible residents can apply for temporary help with rent, utilities, food, clothing, and other basic needs.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyiowa.gov
Child support · State office
Des Moines Child Support Services
420 Watson Powell Jr Pkwy, Suite 150, Des Moines, IA 50309
Help here
- Child support servicesParents can contact this office for help with child support services in Polk County.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
State office · State office
Polk County HHS
2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Help here
- State benefits and human servicesResidents can contact this state office about HHS services and benefit eligibility.Apply online
- Child support servicesParents can get help with child support services at the Des Moines office serving Polk County.Read more
Checked on 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.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on 211iowa.org
Housing authority · County office
Polk County Housing Services Division
5885 NE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50313
Help here
- Home repair and weatherizationEligible residents can seek help with urgent home repairs or work that reduces energy use and bills.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyiowa.gov
Public health · County office
Polk County Health Department
1907 Carpenter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
Help here
- Public health servicesCall or visit for county health services, immunizations, health screenings, and public health information.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyiowa.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Polk County Behavioral Health & Disability Services
2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Help here
- Behavioral health and disability service referralsCall for help finding behavioral health and disability supports in Polk County.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyiowa.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Aging Resources of Central Iowa
5838 Grand Avenue, Suite 106, Des Moines, IA 50312
Help here
- Aging and disability supportContact the agency for local support and services for older adults and people with disabilities.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on agingresources.com
Veterans · County office
Polk County Veteran Affairs
2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Help here
- Veteran benefits and assistanceVeterans and their families can get help with benefit claims and eligible emergency assistance.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyiowa.gov
Emergency help · County office
Polk County Emergency Management
1907 Carpenter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
Help here
- Disaster preparedness and recovery informationResidents can get information about preparing for emergencies and finding local disaster resources.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on polkcountyiowa.gov
Jobs and training · State office
IowaWORKS Des Moines
200 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315
Help here
- Job search and career helpJob seekers can meet with career staff and find help with employment and training.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on workforce.iowa.gov
State office · State office
Iowa DOT Driver's License Service Center, Des Moines
2339 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310
Help here
- Driver's license servicesResidents can visit for driver's license services at the state service center serving Polk County.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on iowadot.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Polk 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
IMPACT Community Action Partnership, Inc.
3226 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
Listed on hhs.iowa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Polk 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.
- 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 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