Amherst
Ask about Amherst
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Amherst and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Amherst
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
Finance Department
174 S. Main Street, Amherst, VA 24521
Help here
- Water and sewer billingContact the Finance Department to ask about utility bills or set up water service.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on amherstva.gov
Local office · State office
211 Virginia
Help here
- Community resource referralCall 211 to find local help with housing, food, health care, and other needs.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on 211virginia.org
Local office · City office
Town Hall
174 S. Main Street, Amherst, VA 24521
Help here
- Town services and informationVisit or call Town Hall for help with town services and local government questions.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on amherstva.gov
Older adults · County office
Amherst Senior Center
Second Stage, 194 Second Street, Amherst, VA 24521
Help here
- Senior activitiesOlder adults can join scheduled activities and social gatherings at the center.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on countyofamherst.com
State office · State office
Amherst DMV Select
200 Richmond Highway, Suite 101, Amherst, VA 24521
Help here
- Vehicle titles and registrationVisit for vehicle title, registration, plate, permit, and placard transactions.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on dmv.virginia.gov
Library · County office
Amherst Library
382 South Main Street, Amherst, VA 24521
Help here
- Public libraryVisit the library to borrow books and use its learning and information resources.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on acpl.us
Checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Amherst
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
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
96 Laurel Hill Road, Verona, VA 24482
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
Virginia Legal Aid Society, 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
Lynchburg Community Action Group
300 12th St., Lynchburg, VA 24504
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Amherst County
Amherst is in Amherst County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Amherst County Department of Social Services
224 Second St, Amherst, VA 24521
Help here
- Benefits and family servicesGet help with food, health coverage, child care, energy, and cash assistance programs.Apply online
- Adult and child protective servicesReport safety concerns or ask for help protecting a child or adult.
- Child supportGet information about child support services and your case.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofamherst.com
Public health · State office
Amherst County Health Department
224 2nd Street, Amherst, VA 24521
Help here
- Public health servicesContact the health department for local health services, immunizations, and health information.
- WICWIC provides nutrition support and food benefits for eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding people, infants, and children under five.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on vdh.virginia.gov
Mental health and recovery · Regional office
Horizon Wellness Center at Amherst
120 W. Commerce St, Amherst, VA 24521
Help here
- Behavioral health careGet mental health, substance use, counseling, and case management services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on horizonbh.org
Older adults · Regional office
Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living, Inc.
501 12th Street, Suite A, Lynchburg, VA 24504
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportGet information and connections to services for older adults and caregivers in Amherst County.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cvacl.org
Emergency help · County office
Amherst County Emergency Management
119 Taylor St, Amherst, VA 24521
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and responseFind local emergency information and preparedness help for disasters and other incidents.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on amherstcountyva.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Virginia Career Works Lynchburg Center
3125 Odd Fellows Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501
Help here
- Job and workforce servicesGet help finding work, training for a job, and connecting with employment services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on vcwcentralregion.com
Virginia programs by kind of help
These are run by Virginia 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
- 211 Virginia
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