Columbia
Ask about Columbia
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Columbia and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Columbia
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
City Hall
208 S Rapp, Columbia, IL 62236
Help here
- City services and clerk's officeVisit or call City Hall for help with city services and the Clerk's Office.
- Water, sewer, and trash billsSet up city utility service, pay bills, or ask about payment options at the Clerk's Office.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on columbiail.gov
Library · Regional office
Columbia Public Library
106 N Metter Avenue, Columbia, IL 62236
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books and other materials, use library resources, and get help from library staff.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on columbialibrary.org
Older adults · Nonprofit
Columbia Senior Center
Help here
- Senior meals and activitiesOlder adults can ask about meals, activities, speakers, and events at the center.Read more
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on weeoc.org
Local office · Regional office
211 Southwestern Illinois
Help here
- Local help and referralsCall 211 for free, confidential referrals to local help with housing, utilities, food, health care, and other needs.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on 211illinois.org
City of Columbia, Illinois website
Checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Monroe County
Columbia is in Monroe County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Public health · County office
Monroe County Health Department
1315 Jamie Lane, Waterloo, IL 62298
Help here
- Public health servicesGet immunizations, health screenings, health education, and help with communicable disease concerns.Read more
- WICEligible pregnant or postpartum people, infants, and children under five can get nutrition help and healthy foods.Apply onlineRead more
- Health coverage applicationsGet help applying for SNAP and Medicaid.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecountyhealth.org
Emergency help · County office
Monroe County Emergency Management Agency
100 South Main, Waterloo, IL 62298
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationGet county emergency information and sign up for local alerts.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecountyil.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Monroe County Circuit Clerk and Law Library
100 S. Main St., Room 115, Waterloo, IL 62298
Help here
- Court access and law libraryUse the public terminal in the law library to access court cases, do research, e-file, or join a Zoom hearing.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecountyil.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
Monroe County Workforce Development
Help here
- Workforce assistanceContact the county workforce development office for help with employment services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecountyil.gov
Older adults · Regional office
AgeSmart Community Resources
7 Bronze Pointe S, Suite B, Swansea, IL 62226
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportAgeSmart connects older adults and caregivers in Bond County with information, options counseling, and respite support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on agesmart.org
Community action · Nonprofit
Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council
1 Industrial Park, Steeleville, IL 62288
Help here
- Community assistanceMonroe County residents can contact WEEOC for help with rent, food, utility bills, job training, and temporary shelter.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on weeoc.org
Illinois programs by kind of help
These are run by Illinois 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 Southwestern Illinois
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