Dorchester County

Local offices in Dorchester County

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

• Human services · State office

  Dorchester County Department of Social Services, Summerville

  1452 Boone Hill Road, Suite C, Summerville, SC 29483

  Help here

  • Apply for public assistanceAsk about applying for food assistance and other public benefits.Apply onlineRead more
  • Child support servicesGet help with child support services through the state agency.Read more
  Call 843-821-0444DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dss.sc.gov

• Public health · State office

  Dorchester County Health Department

  1452 Boone Hill Road, Summerville, SC 29483

  Help here

  • Public health clinic servicesGet immunizations, family planning, and other public health services.
  • WICAsk the clinic about WIC nutrition support and eligibility.
  Call 843-832-0041DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dph.sc.gov

• Mental health and recovery · Regional office

  Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission

  320 Midland Parkway, Suite C, Summerville, SC 29485

  Help here

  • Counseling and substance use treatmentAsk about counseling, substance use treatment, and prevention services.
  Call 843-871-4790DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dadc.org

• Older adults · Regional office

  Trident Area Agency on Aging

  Help here

  • Aging and caregiver assistanceCall for information about services for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.
  Call 843-554-2275Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on tridentaaa.org

• Veterans · County office

  Dorchester County Veterans Affairs

  500 N. Main Street, Summerville, SC

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits claimsGet help with veterans benefits claims and related questions.
  Call 843-832-0050DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dorchestercountysc.gov

• Emergency help · County office

  Dorchester County Emergency Management

  212 Deming Way, Summerville, SC 29483

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness informationGet information to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters.
  Call 843-832-0341DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dorchestercountysc.gov

• Jobs and training · Regional office

  SC Works Dorchester

  1325-A Boone Hill Road, Summerville, SC 29483

  Help here

  • Job search and employment servicesGet help searching for work, training, and employment services.
  Call 843-821-0695DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on scworkstrident.org

• State office · State office

  Saint George DMV

  5315 East Jim Bilton Boulevard, Saint George, SC 29477

  Help here

  • Driver and vehicle servicesVisit the DMV for driver license and vehicle services.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.sc.gov

• Library · County office

  Dorchester County Library System

  Help here

  • Library servicesGet a library card, borrow materials, use public computers, and find learning resources.
  Call 843-871-5075Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dorchesterlibrarysc.org

Dorchester County, South Carolina website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Dorchester County

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

Cities and towns in Dorchester County

• Harleyville
• Reevesvillenot checked yet
• Ridgeville
• St. George
• Summerville

South Carolina programs by kind of help

These are run by South 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