Cleveland County
Ask about Cleveland County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Cleveland County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Cleveland County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Cleveland County Department of Social Services
200 S. Post Road, Shelby, NC 28152
Help here
- Food and Nutrition ServicesApply for food benefits and get help with your application.Apply online
- Medicaid and family servicesApply for Medicaid, child care help, energy assistance, or Work First benefits.Apply online
- Child Support ServicesGet help with child support cases and payments.Apply online
- Protective ServicesReport concerns about child abuse, neglect, or harm to a disabled adult.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on clevelandcounty.com
Public health · County office
Cleveland County Health Department WIC Clinic
200 South Post Road, Shelby, NC 28152
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children nutrition programAsk about food benefits and nutrition support for pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdhhs.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
NC 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 to find local help with basic needs such as housing, food, utilities, and health care.Read more
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on nc211.org
Public health · County office
Cleveland County Health Department
200 South Post Road, Shelby, NC 28152
Help here
- Public health servicesVisit the health department for local public health services and health information.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on clevelandcountyhdnc.clevelandcountync.us
Older adults · Regional office
Isothermal Planning and Development Commission Area Agency on Aging
Help here
- Aging services and referralsContact the regional agency for information and support for older adults.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on regionc.org
Veterans · County office
Cleveland County Veterans Services
311 East Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help understanding and applying for veterans benefits.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on clevelandcounty.com
Emergency help · County office
Cleveland County Emergency Management
Help here
- Emergency preparednessGet local emergency preparedness information and sign up for emergency notifications.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on clevelandcounty.com
Jobs and training · State office
NCWorks Career Center - Cleveland County
404 E. Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150
Help here
- Job search and career servicesGet help searching for jobs, improving your resume, and finding training.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ncworks.gov
Library · County office
Cleveland County Library System
104 Howie Drive, Shelby, NC 28150
Help here
- Library servicesUse library books, computers, programs, and other learning resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on clevelandcounty.com
Cleveland County Government website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Cleveland 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
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
500 B Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28206
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 of North Carolina, 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
Gaston Community Action, Inc.
223 N Morris St, P.O. Box 1653, Gastonia, NC 28052-2244
Listed on ncdhhs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Cleveland County
North Carolina programs by kind of help
These are run by North Carolina 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
- NC 211
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