Lancaster
Ask about Lancaster
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Lancaster and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Lancaster
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
City of Lancaster City Hall
120 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602
Help here
- City questions and non-emergency service requestsCall City Hall with questions or use Fix It! Lancaster to report a non-emergency city service issue.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflancasterpa.gov
Utilities · City office
Lancaster City Water Customer Service
39 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster, PA 17602
Help here
- Water bill helpThe City offers bill assistance for eligible customers who are behind on water bills and have received a shutoff notice.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on water.cityoflancasterpa.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
Bureau of Parks and Public Property
Help here
- City parks and pavilion rentalsFind park amenities and request a pavilion rental for a community activity or event.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflancasterpa.gov
Parks and recreation · Regional office
Lancaster Recreation Commission
525 Fairview Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603
Help here
- Recreation and learning programsFind affordable recreation, learning, child care, sports, and senior programs for people of all ages.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on lancasterrec.org
Library · Nonprofit
Lancaster Public Library, Lancaster City Branch
151 N. Queen St., Lancaster, PA 17603
Help here
- Library materials and public resourcesVisit to borrow materials, use public computers, and find educational resources and programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on lancasterpubliclibrary.org
Housing authority · City office
Lancaster City Housing Authority
325 Church St., Lancaster, PA 17602
Help here
- Public housing and housing choice vouchersApply for affordable public housing or learn about housing choice vouchers for eligible city residents.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on lchapa.com
Older adults · Regional office
Lancaster County Office of Aging
150 N Queen St, Suite 415, Lancaster, PA 17603
Help here
- Aging services and supportThe office helps older adults and their families find services that support safety, health, and independence.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.lancaster.pa.us
State office · State office
Lancaster County Assistance Office
832 Manor St, Lancaster, PA 17604
Help here
- Public benefits applications and renewalsResidents can apply for or renew public benefits and ask caseworkers questions in person.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
PA CareerLink Lancaster County
1016 N. Charlotte St., Lancaster, PA 17603
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesGet help with job searches, career services, and workforce training resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on careerlink.ag-is.com
City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Offices for all of Lancaster County
Lancaster is in Lancaster County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Lancaster County Children & Youth Agency
150 N Queen St, Suite 111, Lancaster, PA 17603
Help here
- Child and family protectionThe agency investigates reports of child abuse or neglect and helps families address safety concerns.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.lancaster.pa.us
Mental health and recovery · County office
Lancaster County Behavioral Health & Developmental Services
150 N Queen St, Suite 610, Lancaster, PA 17603
Help here
- Behavioral health and developmental servicesThe office connects residents with mental health, developmental disability, early intervention, and crisis services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.lancaster.pa.us
Housing authority · County office
Lancaster County Housing Authority
Help here
- Housing Choice Voucher and rental assistanceThe authority provides rental assistance to eligible county residents through housing voucher programs.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on lchra.com
Veterans · County office
Lancaster County Veterans Affairs
150 N Queen St, Suite 103, Lancaster, PA 17603
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceVeterans service officers help residents with federal veterans benefits.
- Transportation to Lebanon VA Medical CenterThe office offers scheduled rides to the Lebanon VA Medical Center for veterans with appointments.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.lancaster.pa.us
Emergency help · County office
Lancaster County Emergency Management Division
100 Champ Blvd, Manheim, PA 17545
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationThe division shares emergency preparedness information and coordinates county emergency response.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.lancaster.pa.us
Child support · County office
Lancaster County Domestic Relations Office
Help here
- Child and family support servicesThe office helps establish, change, and enforce child and family support orders.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on court.co.lancaster.pa.us
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.
- 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
- PA 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