Hickory

Local offices in Hickory

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• State office

  Catawba County Department of Social Services

  3030 11th Avenue Drive SE, Hickory, NC 28602

  Help here

  • Public benefitsApply for or ask about state and county assistance programs at the local Social Services office.
  Call 828-695-5600DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdhhs.gov

• Housing help · Regional office

  Western Piedmont Council of Governments Regional Housing Authority

  1880 2nd Avenue NW, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Section 8 Rental AssistanceApply for rental assistance if you meet the program requirements.
  Call 828-322-9191DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wpcog.org

• Utilities · City office

  City of Hickory Billing and Collections

  76 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Water and sewer bills and serviceGet help paying a water or sewer bill, starting or stopping service, and asking about your account.Apply online
  Call 828-323-7424DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

• Utilities · City office

  City of Hickory Public Utilities

  1441 9th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Water and sewer serviceContact the city about water and sewer service, leaks, meters, or utility system problems.
  Call 828-323-7427DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

• Local office · Nonprofit

  NC 211

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 to find local help with basic needs such as housing, food, utilities, and health care.Read more
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on nc211.org

• Local office · City office

  City of Hickory Action Center

  76 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • City questions and service requestsCall or report an issue to get help with a city service or find the right city office.
  Call 828-323-7400DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

• Library · City office

  Hickory Public Library

  375 3rd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Library cards, books, computers, and programsUse library materials, computers, learning resources, and programs for people of all ages.
  Call 828-304-0500DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism

  1451 8th St Dr NE, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Parks and recreation programsFind city parks, recreation centers, classes, and activities for residents.Read more
  • Senior center activitiesVisit the Westmont Senior Center for activities and recreation for older adults.Read more
  Call 828-322-7046DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hickorync.gov

City of Hickory website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Hickory

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Offices for all of Catawba County

Hickory is in Catawba County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Older adults · Regional office

  Western Piedmont Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging

  1880 2nd Avenue NW, Hickory, NC 28601

  Help here

  • Aging ServicesFind information and referrals for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families.
  Call 828-322-9191DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wpcog.org

• Jobs and training · Regional office

  NCWorks Career Center - Catawba County

  403 Conover Station SE, Suite C, Conover, NC 28613

  Help here

  • Job search and career helpGet help searching for jobs, preparing a resume, planning a career, or finding job training.Apply online
  Call 828-466-5535DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on wpcog.org

• State office

  NCDMV License Plate Agency - Conover

  803 Conover Boulevard W, Conover, NC

  Help here

  • Vehicle registration and platesHandle vehicle registration, title transactions, plate renewals, and replacement tags.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ncdot.gov

Everything in Catawba County

North Carolina programs by kind of help

These are run by North Carolina 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.
• 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.
• Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
• SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.

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