Berks County
Ask about Berks County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Berks County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Berks County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office
Berks County Assistance Office
625 Cherry Street, Reading, PA 19602-1188
Help here
- Public benefitsResidents can apply for state benefits and get help with their assistance case.Apply online
- LIHEAPEligible households can apply for help paying heating bills.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
Berks County WIC
1110C Rockland Street, Reading, PA
Help here
- WIC nutrition assistanceWIC provides nutrition support for eligible pregnant people, infants, and children.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mfhs.org
Housing help · Regional office
Berks County Housing Authority
1803 Butter Lane, Reading, PA 19606
Help here
- Affordable housingThe authority offers public housing and vouchers to help eligible families pay rent.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berksha.org
Local office · Regional office
PA 211 East, Berks County
Help here
- Community resource referralsResidents can call 211 for free help finding local services such as housing, utilities, employment, education, and child care.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on east.pa211.org
Mental health and recovery · County office
Berks County Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Program
633 Court Street, 8th Floor, Reading, PA 19601
Help here
- Mental health treatment and supportThe program connects residents with county-funded mental health, crisis, case management, and housing support services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkspa.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Berks County Law Library
Berks County Courthouse, 5th Floor, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601
Help here
- Legal research resourcesVisitors can use legal research materials and a computer with Westlaw access.
- Court self-help informationThe county provides online forms and instructions for people representing themselves in custody and divorce cases.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkspa.gov
Human services · County office
Berks County Children & Youth Services
633 Court Street, 11th Floor, Reading, PA 19601
Help here
- Child safety and family servicesThe office investigates reports of child abuse or neglect and works with families to protect children.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkspa.gov
Older adults · County office
Berks County Area Agency on Aging
400 E. Wyomissing Avenue, Mohnton, PA 19540
Help here
- Older adult servicesThe agency connects older adults and people with disabilities to in-home help, care management, caregiver support, and other services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkspa.gov
Veterans · County office
Berks County Veterans Affairs
20 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing, PA 19610
Help here
- Veterans benefits and careThe office helps veterans and their families connect with benefits and care they have earned.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkspa.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
PA CareerLink Berks County
1920 Kutztown Road, Suite F, Reading, PA 19604
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesJob seekers can get help finding work, building skills, and connecting with employment services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on careerlinkberks.com
State office
PennDOT Driver License Center, Exeter Township
4375 Perkiomen Avenue, Exeter Township, PA
Help here
- Driver licensing and REAL IDResidents can visit this center for driver licensing and REAL ID services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Library · County office
Berks County Public Libraries System
Help here
- Library cards and materialsThe system connects residents to books, digital resources, and materials across its member libraries.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkslibraries.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Berks County, closest to the center of Reading first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Mitzvah Food Program - Mainline
43 miles from the center of Reading345 Montgomery Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19004
Hours
- Thu: times not listed, call first
What to bring: Some hours are by appointment. Call first.
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
North Light Community Center
43 miles from the center of Reading175 Green Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19127
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 11 AM
- Fri10 AM to 11 AM
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The H.O.P.E. Food Pantry
43 miles from the center of Reading140 E Mt. Airy Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119
Hours
- Sat10 AM to 12 PM
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Church of the Annunciation
44 miles from the center of Reading324 Carpenter Ln., Philadelphia, PA 19119
Hours
- Tue11 AM to 2 PM
Who can come: People who live in ZIP codes 19118, 19119, 19138, 19150
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Freedom Development Corporation
44 miles from the center of Reading6100 W Columbia Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151
Hours
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Good Samaritan Baptist Church
44 miles from the center of Reading6148-6150 Lansdowne Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151
Hours
- Wed8:30 AM to 1 PM
- Fri11:30 AM to 3 PM
Listed on services.arcgis.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Berks 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
Helping Harvest
117 Morgan Drive, Reading, PA 19608
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
MidPenn Legal Services, Inc.
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
Berks County Community Action Program, Inc.
645 Penn Street, 3rd Floor, PO Box 22, Reading, PA 19601
Listed on dced.pa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Berks County
- Bally
- Bechtelsville
- Bernville
- Birdsboro
- Boyertown
- Centerportnot checked yet
- Fleetwood
- Hamburg
- Kenhorst
- Kutztown
- Laureldale
- Leesport
- Lenhartsvillenot checked yet
- Lyonsnot checked yet
- Mohnton
- Mount Penn
- New Morgannot checked yet
- Reading
- Robesonia
- Shillington
- Shoemakersville
- Sinking Spring
- St. Lawrence
- Topton
- Wernersville
- West Reading
- Womelsdorf
- Wyomissing
Pennsylvania programs by kind of help
These are run by Pennsylvania 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 - 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
- PA 211 East
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