Howard County
Ask about Howard County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Howard County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Howard County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Howard County General Assistance
137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136
Help here
- General assistanceContact the county to ask about local help for basic needs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcounty.iowa.gov
State office · State office
Iowa Health and Human Services, Howard County
205 E Second Street, Cresco, IA 52136
Help here
- State benefits servicesCall Iowa HHS about benefits for Howard County; in-person service is by appointment and served by the Winneshiek County office.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Public health · County office
Howard County Environmental Health
137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136
Help here
- Well and septic servicesGet permits, inspections, and help with private wells and septic systems.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcounty.iowa.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Howard County Clerk of Court
137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136
Help here
- Court information and self-help resourcesContact the clerk for court information and links to Iowa court self-help resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on iowacourts.gov
Human services · County office
Howard County Social Services
205 E 2nd Street, Cresco, IA 52136
Help here
- Disability case managementCase managers help people with disabilities choose and coordinate county or Medicaid services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcounty.iowa.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging
3840 W. 9th Street, Waterloo, IA 50702
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportGet help finding services that support older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on nei3a.org
Veterans · County office
Howard County Veterans Affairs
137 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136
Help here
- Veterans assistance and benefitsVeterans and their families can ask for help with local aid and federal benefits.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcounty.iowa.gov
Emergency help · County office
Howard County Emergency Management and E911
124 South Park Place, Cresco, IA 52136
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and 911 informationGet information about county emergency alerts and 911 services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on howardcounty.iowa.gov
Local office · Regional office
Iowa 211
Help here
- Help finding local servicesCall or search Iowa 211 to find local help with basic needs and community services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on 211iowa.org
Library · City office
Cresco Public Library
320 North Elm, Cresco, IA 52136
Help here
- Library cards, computers, and other library servicesGet a library card, use technology services, request an interlibrary loan, or ask for computer help.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on cresco.lib.ia.us
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Howard 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
Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC)
305 N. Montgomery St., Decorah, IA 52101-0487
Listed on hhs.iowa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Howard 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
- Iowa 211
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