Sarasota
Ask about Sarasota
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Sarasota and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Sarasota
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing authority · City office
Office of Housing and Community Development
1575 2nd Street, Sarasota, FL
Help here
- Housing and community development programsFind information about city housing programs, including SHIP and Community Development Block Grant programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sarasotafl.gov
Housing authority · Regional office
Sarasota Housing Authority
269 S. Osprey Avenue, Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34236
Help here
- Housing Choice Voucher assistanceThe Housing Choice Voucher program helps eligible families pay rent in privately owned homes.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sarasotahousing.org
Utilities · City office
City of Sarasota Utility Billing Office
1575 2nd Street, Sarasota, FL
Help here
- Utility accounts and billsGet help starting water, sewer, or solid waste service and paying your city utility bill.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sarasotafl.gov
Local office · City office
City of Sarasota Customer Service
1565 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
Help here
- City information and service requestsCall for help finding the right city department or reporting a city service issue.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sarasotafl.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
CareerSource Suncoast Sarasota Career Center
3660 N. Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34234
Help here
- Job search and career servicesGet help with job searches, career planning, and workforce services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on careersourcesuncoast.com
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks and Recreation Department
Help here
- Recreation programs and facilitiesFind city recreation programs, parks, community centers, pools, and other facilities.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sarasotafl.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Sarasota
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
All Faiths Food Bank
8171 Blaikie Ct., Sarasota, FL 34240
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
Bay Area Legal Services, 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
Sarasota County
2200 Ringling Boulevard, Suite 2001, Sarasota, FL 34237-6102
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Sarasota County
Sarasota is in Sarasota County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Sarasota County Human Services
1 Apex Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240
Help here
- Human services information and referralsContact the county for information about food assistance and other local human services.
- Behavioral health system coordinationThe county coordinates community programs for people affected by mental health or substance use concerns.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on scgov.net
State office · State office
South County WIC Office
6919 Outreach Way, North Port, FL 34287
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)WIC helps eligible families get healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sarasota.floridahealth.gov
Human services · Nonprofit
211 Suncoast Cares
Help here
- Community help and referralsCall 211 for information about local help with housing, food, health care, and other needs.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on 211suncoastcares.org
Public health · State office
Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County
2200 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237
Help here
- County health servicesContact the health department for public health services and information in Sarasota County.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sarasota.floridahealth.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Sarasota Self Help Center and Law Library
2002 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34237
Help here
- Court self-help and legal researchGet help finding court forms and using legal research resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on jud12.flcourts.org
Older adults · Regional office
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112, Fort Myers, FL 33916
Help here
- Aging and disability resource helpOlder adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers can get information and referrals to local support and long-term care resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on aaaswfl.org
Florida programs by kind of help
These are run by Florida 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
- 211 Suncoast Cares
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