Paterson
Ask about Paterson
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Paterson and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Paterson
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · City office
Paterson Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Human Services
125 Ellison St, Paterson, NJ 07505
Help here
- Human services programsContact the city for information about its human services programs, including financial empowerment and municipal identification.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on patersonnj.gov
Community action · Nonprofit
Paterson Task Force for Community Action
191 Market St, Paterson, NJ
Help here
- Utility assistanceContact the community action agency to ask about utility assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on patersontaskforce.com
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of the City of Paterson
60 Van Houten St, Paterson, NJ 07505
Help here
- Public housing and Section 8Contact the housing authority about public housing and Section 8 housing assistance.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on patersonhousingauthority.org
Utilities · City office
Paterson Revenue Collection, Sewer Billing
Help here
- Sewer bill paymentCall the city with questions about paying your sewer bill.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on patersonnj.gov
Local office · Regional office
NJ 2-1-1
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall or visit NJ 211 to find local help with basic needs and other services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj211.org
Local office · City office
Paterson Constituent Service Hotline
Help here
- City service helpCall the 24-hour hotline for help finding the right city department or getting a response to a concern.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on patersonnj.gov
Older adults · City office
Paterson Division of Senior Services
165 5th Ave, Paterson, NJ 07524
Help here
- Senior services and activitiesPaterson seniors can ask about programs, activities, food deliveries, and farmer's market vouchers.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on patersonnj.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Passaic One-Stop Career Center, Paterson
200 Memorial Drive, 1st Floor, Paterson, NJ 07505
Help here
- Job and career servicesVisit for job search help, career counseling, training information, and reemployment support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov
State office
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Paterson Licensing Center
125 Broadway, Suite 201, Paterson, NJ 07505
Help here
- Driver licensing and identificationUse the licensing center for eligible driver's license, permit, and non-driver ID services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov
Library · City office
Paterson Free Public Library
250 Broadway, Paterson, NJ 07501
Help here
- Library resources and programsVisit or contact the library for borrowing, research help, technology, and community programs.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on patersonpl.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Paterson Division of Recreation
133 Ellison St, Paterson, NJ 07505
Help here
- Recreation programsContact the city about recreation programs, sports, camps, and activities for residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on patersonnj.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Paterson first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Roseville Church Food Pantry
Roseville Church
11 miles from the center of Paterson36 Roseville Avenue, Newark, NJ 07107
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Groceries distributed every 2nd Monday of the month.
Who can come: All patrons
Listed on rosevillechurch.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The Apostles’ House Food Pantry
The Apostles’ House
12 miles from the center of Paterson22 Grant Street, Newark, NJ 07104
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 3 PM
- Wed10 AM to 3 PM
- Fri10 AM to 3 PM
Listed on theapostleshouse.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Bessie Green Community, Inc. Food Pantry
Bessie Green Community, Inc.
12 miles from the center of Paterson510 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 1 PM
- Tue10 AM to 1 PM
- Wed10 AM to 1 PM
- Thu10 AM to 1 PM
- Fri10 AM to 1 PM
Listed on bessiegreen.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Bessie Green Community, Inc. Soup Kitchen
Bessie Green Community, Inc.
12 miles from the center of Paterson510 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 1 PM
- Tue10 AM to 1 PM
- Wed10 AM to 1 PM
- Thu10 AM to 1 PM
- Fri10 AM to 1 PM
Listed on bessiegreen.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
pantry+ at RU-N
Rutgers University-Newark
12 miles from the center of Paterson350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Paul Robeson Campus Center, Room 226, Newark, NJ 07102
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 3 PM
- Tue11 AM to 3 PM
- Wed1 PM to 6 PM
- Thu11 AM to 3 PM
Who can come: Rutgers-Newark students, staff, and faculty
What to bring: Available to Rutgers-Newark community members. There is no eligibility process.
Listed on studentaffairs.newark.rutgers.edu, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
The Market at UCC
United Community Corporation
12 miles from the center of Paterson409 South 18th Street, Newark, NJ 07103
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 2 PM
- Wed10 AM to 2 PM
- Fri10 AM to 2 PM
Who can come: People in Newark and Essex County
What to bring: Make an appointment
Listed on uccnewark.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Paterson
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
Community Foodbank of New Jersey
31 Evans Terminal, Hillside, NJ 07205
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
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services Corporation
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
Paterson Task Force
Serves the City of Paterson only
9 Colt Street, Paterson, NJ 07505
Listed on nj.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Passaic County
Serves Passaic County except the cities of Paterson and Passaic, which have their own entities
401 Grand Street - Room 404, Paterson, NJ 07505
Listed on nj.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
United Passaic Organization
Serves the City of Passaic only
One Howe Avenue, Suite 301, Passaic, NJ 07055
Listed on nj.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Passaic County
Paterson is in Passaic County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Public health · Nonprofit
Saint Joseph WIC Program
800 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07503
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportAsk about WIC food and nutrition support for eligible women, infants, and children.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov
Public health · City office
City of Passaic WIC Program
333 Passaic Street, Passaic, NJ 07055
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportAsk about WIC food and nutrition support for eligible women, infants, and children.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov
Local office · Regional office
NJ 211
Help here
- Community service referralsCall NJ 211 to find local help with housing, food, health care, and other needs.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nj211.org
State office
New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Passaic Central Local Office
100 Hamilton Plaza, 11th Floor, Paterson, NJ 07505
Help here
- Child and family supportContact this state office for child protection and family support services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov
State office
New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Passaic North Local Office
201 Willowbrook Boulevard, 4th Floor, Wayne, NJ 07470
Help here
- Child and family supportContact this state office for child protection and family support services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Passaic One-Stop Career Center
25 Howe Avenue, Passaic, NJ 07055-4007
Help here
- Job search and career servicesGet help with job searches, resumes, training, and career planning.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nj.gov
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
Talk to a person
- NJ 2-1-1
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