Washburn County
Ask about Washburn County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Washburn County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Washburn County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Washburn County Health & Human Services
304 2nd Street, Shell Lake, WI 54871
Help here
- Economic and family supportGet help with FoodShare, health coverage, child care support, and other family services.
- Behavioral health and substance use servicesContact the department for county mental health and alcohol or drug use services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.washburn.wi.us
Child support · County office
Washburn County Child Support
304 2nd Street, Shell Lake, WI 54871
Help here
- Child support servicesParents and guardians can get help establishing paternity and support orders or changing and enforcing an order.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.washburn.wi.us
Community action · Nonprofit
West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency
Help here
- Energy assistanceEligible Washburn County residents can apply for help with home energy costs and crisis needs.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on westcap.org
Public health · County office
Washburn County Public Health
304 2nd Street, Shell Lake, WI 54871
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information and help with immunizations, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and other public health needs.
- WICEligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children can get nutrition support and food benefits through WIC.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.washburn.wi.us
Courts and legal help · County office
Washburn County Clerk of Circuit Court
10 4th Avenue, Shell Lake, WI 54871
Help here
- Court records and self-help informationGet public court records and court forms, and ask general questions about court procedures.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.washburn.wi.us
Older adults · County office
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Washburn County
304 2nd Street, Shell Lake, WI 54871
Help here
- Aging and disability supportOlder adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers can get information, benefit counseling, and help finding services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.washburn.wi.us
Veterans · County office
Washburn County Veterans Service Office
304 2nd Street, Shell Lake, WI 54871
Help here
- Veterans benefits and supportVeterans and their dependents can get help with benefits claims, education, health care, burial benefits, and VA travel.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.washburn.wi.us
Emergency help · County office
Washburn County Emergency Management
421 Highway 63, Shell Lake, WI 54871
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and alertsGet local disaster preparedness information and sign up for emergency alerts.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on co.washburn.wi.us
Jobs and training · Regional office
Washburn County Job Center
522 Service Road, Spooner, WI 54801
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesGet help finding work and connecting with workforce and employment services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on wisconsinjobcenter.org
State office · State office
Wisconsin DMV Spooner Service Center
W7074 Green Valley Road, Spooner, WI 54801
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesApply in person for a driver license or ID card and get help with many vehicle title and registration services.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on trust.dot.state.wi.us
Library · Regional office
Northern Waters Library Service
Help here
- Library network servicesFind and request library materials through the shared network of member libraries serving Vilas County.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on nwls.wislib.org
Washburn County Government website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Washburn 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
Second Harvest Heartland
7101 Winnetka Avenue N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
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
Legal Action of Wisconsin, 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
Indianhead Community Action Agency, Incorporated
1000 W College Ave, PO Box 40, Ladysmith, WI 54848-2118
Listed on dcf.wisconsin.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Washburn County
Wisconsin programs by kind of help
These are run by Wisconsin 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 - 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
Talk to a person
- 211 Wisconsin
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