Grinnell
Ask about Grinnell
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Grinnell and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Grinnell
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office · State office
Iowa Health and Human Services, Grinnell
520 4th Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- Benefits applicationsGet help applying for Iowa assistance programs, including food and cash benefits.Apply online
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Housing authority · City office
Grinnell Housing Authority
927 4th Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- Rental assistanceEligible older adults, people with disabilities, and families can apply for rental assistance.Read more
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on grinnelliowa.gov
Utilities · City office
City of Grinnell Utility Billing
520 4th Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- Utility bills and servicePay or ask for help with water, sewer, sanitation, and stormwater bills.Apply online
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on grinnelliowa.gov
Local office · City office
Grinnell City Hall
520 4th Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- City government servicesContact the city office for help with city services, records, and questions for city staff.Read more
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on grinnelliowa.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Grinnell Senior Center
925 East Street, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- Senior center activities and referralsOlder adults can take part in social activities and get referrals to services.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on marionph.org
Library · City office
Drake Community Library
930 Park Street, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card, borrow books and digital materials, use public computers, or ask for help finding information.Read more
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on drakelibrary.org
Checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Grinnell
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
Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA), Inc.
1001 S. 18th Ave, Marshalltown, IA 50158
Listed on hhs.iowa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Poweshiek County
Grinnell is in Poweshiek County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Poweshiek County General Assistance
302 E Main St, Montezuma, IA 50171
Help here
- Emergency financial assistanceEligible residents can ask for help with current rent, utility bills, or burial costs.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on poweshiekcountyiowa.gov
Public health · Nonprofit
Grinnell WIC Clinic - Mid-Iowa Community Action
611 4th Ave, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children nutrition programEligible pregnant people, new mothers, infants, and children under five can get food and nutrition support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
State office · State office
Poweshiek County Health and Human Services Office
200 4th Avenue West, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- State health and human servicesResidents can contact Iowa HHS about state health and income support services serving Poweshiek County.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Public health · County office
UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Public Health
306 4th Ave, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- Public health servicesResidents can get immunizations, public health nursing, disease prevention, and maternal and child health support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on unitypoint.org
Mental health and recovery · Regional office
Central Iowa Community Services (CICS)
200 4th Ave W, Suite 200, Grinnell, IA 50112
Help here
- Mental health and disability servicesResidents can contact CICS to find mental health and disability services in the region.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cicsmhds.org
Courts and legal help · State office
Poweshiek County Clerk of Court
302 East Main Street, Montezuma, IA 50171
Help here
- Court information and self-represented litigant resourcesResidents can contact the clerk about court matters and use Iowa's court forms and self-help information.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on iowacourts.gov
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