Elizabeth

Local offices in Elizabeth

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

• Human services · City office

  Department of Health and Human Services

  50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

  Help here

  • Human services information and referralsContact the department for help finding city human services and support programs.
  Call 908-820-4049DirectionsWebsite

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

• Housing help · City office

  Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth

  Help here

  • Public and senior housingThe housing authority manages affordable family housing, senior housing, and Section 8 assistance.
  Call 908-965-2400Website

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

• Utilities · City office

  Department of Public Works

  50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

  Help here

  • Public works and utility concernsResidents can contact Public Works about city streets, garbage and recycling, and water or wastewater system concerns.
  Call 908-820-4101DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · City office

  Office on Aging

  50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

  Help here

  • Senior benefits and supportStaff help older and disabled residents with benefit forms, housing applications, transportation programs, and senior activities.
  Call 908-820-4044DirectionsWebsite

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

• Jobs and training · State office

  Elizabeth One-Stop Career Center

  Union College of Union County, Lessner Building, 12 West Jersey Street, 3rd Floor, Elizabeth, NJ 07202

  Help here

  • Career and job search helpJob seekers can get career counseling, job search help, training services, and resume support.
  Call 908-412-7980DirectionsWebsite

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

• State office

  Elizabeth Licensing Center

  17 Caldwell Place, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

  Help here

  • Driver licensingResidents can visit this state licensing center for in-person driver license and identification services.Apply online
  Call 609-292-6500DirectionsWebsite

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

• Library · City office

  Elizabeth Public Library

  11 South Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202

  Help here

  • Library access and programsResidents can use library materials, public computers, and programs at the main library and its branches.
  Call 908-354-6060DirectionsWebsite

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

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Department of Recreation

  50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

  Help here

  • Parks and recreation programsResidents can find parks, recreation programs, camps, sports, and community center activities.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 908-820-4220DirectionsWebsite

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

City of Elizabeth, New Jersey website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

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

• Food pantry

  Newark Bible Fellowship Church FOOD PANTRY

  Newark Bible Fellowship Church

  3.9 miles from the center of Elizabeth

  30 Randolph Place, Newark, NJ 07108

  Hours

  • Wed9:30 AM to 12 PM (2nd and 3rd and 4th of the month)
  • Sat9:30 AM to 12 PM (2nd and 3rd and 4th of the month)
  Call 973-373-3677DirectionsWebsite

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

• Food pantry

  Food Ministry

  Grace Church in Newark

  4.6 miles from the center of Elizabeth

  950 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102

  Hours

  Hours not listed. Call first.

  Food Distribution at 11:00 a.m. until bags are distributed. Food Pantry: Every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. First Sunday of the Month at 1:00 p.m. Bags available Tuesday-Friday upon request.

  Call 973-623-1733DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on gracechurchinnewark.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  UCC Kitchen

  United Community Corporation

  4.6 miles from the center of Elizabeth

  60 19th Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103

  Hours

  Hours not listed. Call first.

  Who can come: People who are homeless or homebound

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on uccnewark.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Pierre Toussaint Food Pantry

  Saint Mary's Church

  4.8 miles from the center of Elizabeth

  520 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Newark, NJ 07102

  Hours

  • Sat9 AM to 11 AM

  Who can come: Newark residents

  What to bring: Current ID

  Call 973-792-5793DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on smcnewark.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  St. John’s Soup Kitchen

  5.2 miles from the center of Elizabeth

  22 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102

  Hours

  Hours not listed. Call first.

  Our soup kitchen serves an average of 500 meals each day.

  Who can come: Anyone who is hungry

  Call 973-623-0822DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on njsk.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  The Cityline Church Food Pantry

  The Cityline Church

  5.2 miles from the center of Elizabeth

  1510 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305

  Hours

  • Sat8 AM to 12 PM. Twice monthly on dates listed on the church's 2026 calendar; until supplies last

  Who can come: People in need of temporary food assistance, without discrimination

  What to bring: Please bring bags or a shopping cart.

  Call 201-332-0970DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on weareclc.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Elizabeth

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

Offices for all of Union County

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

• State office · City office

  City of Plainfield WIC Program

  510 Watchung Ave., Plainfield, NJ 07060

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition benefitsEligible pregnant or postpartum people, infants, and young children can apply for WIC food and nutrition support.Apply online
  Call 908-753-3397DirectionsWebsite

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

• Human services · Nonprofit

  NJ 211

  Help here

  • Information and referralsCall 211 to find local help with housing, food, health care, bills, and other needs.Read more
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nj211.org

• Community action · Nonprofit

  PROCEED, Inc.

  1126 Dickinson St., Elizabeth, NJ 07201

  Help here

  • Family and community supportUnion County residents can ask about family support, health services, and help with energy costs.
  Call 908-351-7727DirectionsWebsite

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

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Union Vicinage Court User Resource Center

  Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad St., Elizabeth, NJ 07207

  Help here

  • Court self-help and procedural informationGet help understanding court forms and procedures, plus referrals to community services.
  Call 908-787-1650DirectionsWebsite

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

• Library · Regional office

  Libraries of Union County Consortium

  Help here

  • Public library servicesFind public libraries across Union County and access their educational and recreational services.
  Website

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

Everything in Union County

New Jersey programs by kind of help

These are run by New Jersey 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
• 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