Shelby County
Ask about Shelby County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Shelby County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Shelby County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · State office
Shelby County HHS
612 Court Street, 1st Floor, Harlan, IA 51537
Help here
- Iowa Health and Human ServicesAsk about state benefits and local human services by appointment.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Veterans · County office
Shelby County Veteran Services
612 Court St., Room 109, Harlan, IA 51537
Help here
- Veterans benefits and assistanceGet help applying for veterans benefits and emergency assistance for basic needs.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on shelbycounty.iowa.gov
Public health · County office
Shelby County Environmental Health
1411 Industrial Pkwy, Harlan, IA 51537
Help here
- Private well testing and permitsGet private well water tested and ask about permits for wells and septic systems.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on shelbycounty.iowa.gov
Public health · Regional office
WIC Clinic - Pottawattamie County in Harlan
1700 19th Street, Harlan, IA 51537
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children nutrition supportEligible pregnant and postpartum women and children under five can get nutrition help and food benefits.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on pottcounty-ia.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Connections Area Agency on Aging
231 S Main St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Help here
- Aging and disability servicesOlder adults and people with disabilities can call for help finding local services and support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on connectionsaaa.org
Community action · Nonprofit
West Central Community Action Shelby County Outreach Center
1017 7th Street, Harlan, IA 51537
Help here
- Community assistance and referralsGet help finding community resources and ask about low income assistance programs.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on westcentralca.org
State office · State office
Shelby County Treasurer's Office
612 Court St., Harlan, IA 51537
Help here
- Driver's license servicesVisit the county treasurer's office for driver's license services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on iowadot.gov
Library · City office
Harlan Community Library
718 Court Street, Harlan, IA 51537
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card, borrow books, use computers and Wi-Fi, or join library programs.Read more
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on harlan.lib.ia.us
Emergency help · County office
Shelby County 911 Center / Emergency Management Agency
1106 9th St., Harlan, IA 51537
Help here
- Emergency management informationContact the county office for emergency alerts and disaster information.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on shelbycounty.iowa.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Cities and towns in Shelby 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