Buchanan County
Ask about Buchanan County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Buchanan County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Buchanan County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Buchanan County General Assistance
210 5th Avenue NE, Independence, IA 50644
Help here
- Emergency basic needs assistanceEligible residents can ask for short-term help with basic needs such as rent, utilities, food, or urgent medical costs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on buchanancounty.iowa.gov
State office · State office
Buchanan County HHS
1415 1st Street West, Independence, IA 50644
Help here
- State benefits and family servicesResidents can contact this office for help with state benefits and family services, including food assistance and Medicaid.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
Independence WIC Clinic - Operation Threshold
105 2nd Avenue Northeast, Independence, IA 50644
Help here
- WIC food and nutrition supportEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children can get food benefits, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Public health · County office
Buchanan County Public Health
1210 1st Street West, Independence, IA 50644
Help here
- Public health servicesCall about immunizations, health screenings, public health nursing, and disease prevention.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on buchanancounty.iowa.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Buchanan County Community Services
210 5th Avenue NE, Independence, IA 50644
Help here
- Mental health and disability servicesResidents can contact the county about mental health and disability services and support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on buchanancounty.iowa.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Buchanan County Clerk of Court
210 5th Avenue NE, Suite B, Independence, IA 50644
Help here
- Court information and self-help resourcesResidents can contact the clerk about court matters and find Iowa court information and self-help resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on iowacourts.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging
Help here
- Aging and disability supportThe agency connects older adults and people with disabilities to support and local services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on nei3a.org
Veterans · County office
Buchanan County Veterans Affairs
210 5th Avenue NE, Independence, IA 50644
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpVeterans and their families can get help applying for benefits and other county or state support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dva.iowa.gov
Emergency help · County office
Buchanan County Emergency Management
1210 1st Street West, Independence, IA 50644
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationResidents can get county emergency preparedness information and updates during disasters.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on buchanancounty.iowa.gov
State office · County office
Buchanan County Treasurer's Office
210 Fifth Avenue NE, Independence, IA 50644
Help here
- Driver licensingResidents can visit for Iowa driver license services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on iowadot.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Buchanan 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
Northeast Iowa Food Bank
1605 Lafayette Steet, Waterloo, IA 50703
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
Iowa Legal Aid
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
Operation Threshold Community Action Agency
1535 Lafayette St, Waterloo, IA 50704
Listed on hhs.iowa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Buchanan County
Iowa programs by kind of help
These are run by Iowa 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 Iowa
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 800-244-7431 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988