Brainerd
Ask about Brainerd
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Brainerd and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Brainerd
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
Brainerd City Hall
501 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- City services and informationGet help with city services, permits, records, and city government questions.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on brainerdmn.gov
Utilities · City office
Brainerd Public Utilities
8027 Highland Scenic Road, Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on bpu.org
Library · Regional office
Brainerd Public Library
416 S. 5th Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books, use public computers and Wi-Fi, and attend library programs.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on krls.org
Housing authority · City office
Brainerd Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Help here
- Affordable rental housingAsk about affordable rental homes managed by the Brainerd HRA.
- Rental assistanceFind out how to apply for a housing voucher to help pay rent.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on brainerdhra.org
Jobs and training · State office
CareerForce in Brainerd
204 Laurel Street, Suite 21, Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- Job search and employment servicesGet help finding work, building job skills, and connecting with employment services.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on careerforce.mn.gov
State office · State office
Brainerd License Office
623 NW 4th Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- Driver licenses and identification cardsApply for or renew a Minnesota driver's license or identification card.
- Vehicle titles and registrationComplete vehicle title and registration services at the license office.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on licensemn.com
Older adults · Nonprofit
The Brainerd Center
803 Kingwood Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- Senior activities and programsJoin activities, classes, and programs for mature adults.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on thebrainerdcenter.com
City of Brainerd, Minnesota website
Checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Crow Wing County
Brainerd is in Crow Wing County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Crow Wing County Community Services
204 Laurel St., Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- Cash, food, and medical assistanceGet help applying for cash, food, and medical assistance programs.Apply online
- Housing assistanceGet referrals for housing programs and help with homelessness.Read more
- Child supportApply for services to establish or enforce child support and parentage orders.Read more
- Behavioral health and adult servicesAsk about county mental health, substance use, disability, and adult support services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on crowwing.gov
Public health · County office
Crow Wing County Public Health
204 Laurel St., Suite 12, Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information and support for family health, disease prevention, and health services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on crowwing.gov
Public health · County office
Crow Wing County WIC
204 Laurel St., Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children can get food and nutrition support.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on crowwing.gov
Veterans · County office
Crow Wing County Veteran Services
204 Laurel St., 1st Floor, Suite 14, Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- Veteran benefits helpVeterans and their dependents can get help with benefit claims, counseling, and military records.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on crowwing.gov
Emergency help · County office
Crow Wing County Emergency Management
304 Laurel St., Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- Emergency preparednessGet information to prepare for emergencies and find county emergency alerts.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on crowwing.gov
Child support · County office
Crow Wing County Child Support
204 Laurel St., Brainerd, MN 56401
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing, changing, collecting, or enforcing child support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on crowwing.gov
Minnesota programs by kind of help
These are run by Minnesota 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
- United Way 211 Minnesota
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 800-543-7709 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988