Columbia County
Ask about Columbia County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Columbia County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Columbia County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Columbia County Department of Social Services
25 Railroad Avenue, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- Benefits and assistanceAsk about temporary assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and employment services.
- Child supportGet help with child support services and enforcement.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiacountyny.gov
Public health · Nonprofit
Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties WIC
431 East Allen Street, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- WIC nutrition assistanceAsk about WIC food and nutrition support for eligible families.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ccrcda.org
Housing authority · Regional office
Hudson Housing Authority
41 North 2nd Street, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- Affordable public housingContact the housing authority about affordable housing and public housing programs for Hudson residents.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on hudsonhousingauthority.com
Public health · County office
Columbia County Department of Health
325 Columbia Street, Suite 100, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- Public health programs and clinicsGet information about health programs, immunization clinics, and other public health services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiacountyny.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Columbia County Human Services / Mental Health Center
325 Columbia Street, 3rd Floor, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- Mental health servicesContact the center to access mental health services and walk-in clinic information.
- Crisis servicesCall the center's crisis line for help at any time.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiacountyny.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Columbia County Supreme Court Law Library
401 Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- Legal research helpUse legal books and online resources or ask library staff for help with legal research.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on nycourts.gov
Older adults · County office
Columbia County Office for the Aging
325 Columbia Street, Suite 231, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- Aging and in-home supportAsk about services that help older residents remain at home and take part in community life.
- Meals for older adultsCall to ask about home-delivered and community meals for eligible older adults.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiacountyny.gov
Veterans · County office
Columbia County Veterans Service Agency
389 Fairview Avenue, Suite 7, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- Veterans benefits and servicesGet help finding and applying for veterans benefits and local services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiacountyny.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Columbia/Greene Workforce New York
4400 Route 23, PAC Building, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- Job and career servicesGet help with job searches, career training, and employment services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dol.ny.gov
Library · Regional office
Mid-Hudson Library System
103 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Help here
- Library system servicesFind member libraries and learn about shared library resources across the region.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on midhudson.org
Local office · County office
Columbia County Department of Motor Vehicles
401 State Street, Hudson, NY 12534
Help here
- Motor vehicle servicesVisit the county DMV for driver and vehicle transactions.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiacountyny.gov
Columbia County, New York website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Columbia 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
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
965 Albany Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110
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
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, 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
Columbia Opportunities, Inc.
540 Columbia Street, Hudson, NY 12534
Listed on dos.ny.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Columbia County
New York programs by kind of help
These are run by New York 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 - 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 NENY
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