Athens

Local offices in Athens

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

• Local office · City office

  Town of Athens Town Hall

  202 South State Street, Athens, WV 24712

  Help here

  • Town services and water and sewer billsContact the town office about town services or paying a town water or sewer bill.
  Call 304-384-3525DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on townofathens.com

• Local office · Regional office

  West Virginia 211

  Help here

  • Community service referralsCall 211 for help finding local services for needs such as housing, food, health care, and utility bills.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on wv211.org

• Library · State office

  J. Frank Marsh Library

  1000 Vermillion Street, Athens, WV 24712

  Help here

  • Library resourcesCommunity members may use library resources and borrow books with a library card.
  Call 304-384-5371DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on concord.edu

Town of Athens website

Checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Athens

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

Offices for all of Mercer County

Athens is in Mercer County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Human services · State office

  Mercer County Department of Human Services Office

  350 Davis Street, Princeton, WV 24740

  Help here

  • Family and social servicesApply for food, medical, cash, energy, and emergency assistance, and get help with child and adult welfare services.
  Call 304-425-8738DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dohs.wv.gov

• Public health · State office

  Mercer County WIC Program

  286 Blue Prince Road, Bluefield, WV 24701

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition supportApply for food and nutrition support for eligible pregnant people, parents, infants, and children.
  Call 304-325-3922DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhhr.wv.gov

• Housing help · Regional office

  Bluefield Housing Authority

  1600 Hill Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701

  Help here

  • Affordable housingAsk about affordable housing and rental assistance for eligible residents.
  Call 304-325-9653DirectionsWebsite

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

• Public health · County office

  Mercer County Health Department

  978 Blue Prince Road, Bluefield, WV 24740

  Help here

  • Public health and clinic servicesGet health services such as screenings, immunizations, and preventive care.Read more
  Call 304-324-8367DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · Regional office

  Appalachian Area Agency on Aging

  Help here

  • Aging and disability supportGet information about senior services, nutrition, transportation, and support for living independently.
  Call 800-473-1207Website

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

• Emergency help · County office

  Mercer County Office of Emergency Services

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness informationGet information about local emergency services and disaster preparedness.Read more
  Call 304-487-8448Website

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

Everything in Mercer County

West Virginia programs by kind of help

These are run by West Virginia 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
• 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