Columbia County
Ask about Columbia County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Columbia County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Columbia County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office
Florida Department of Health in Columbia County WIC
217 NE Franklin St., Lake City, FL 32055
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportEligible families can get healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbia.floridahealth.gov
State office
Florida Department of Children and Families Lake City Service Center
1389 W US Highway 90, Suite 110, Lake City, FL 32055
Help here
- Public assistanceResidents can apply for food, cash, and Medicaid assistance through Florida's benefits system.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on myflfamilies.com
Housing help · County office
Columbia County Housing Authority
498 SW Juniper Way, Lake City, FL 32025
Help here
- Public and affordable housingAsk about public housing and rental assistance for eligible households.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cchafl.com
Public health · State office
Florida Department of Health in Columbia County
217 NE Franklin St., Lake City, FL 32055
Help here
- County public health servicesContact the health department for local clinic and public health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbia.floridahealth.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Columbia County Clerk of Court Family Law
Help here
- Family law self-help formsResidents can find family law forms and self-help resources for court cases.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiaclerk.com
Human services · Regional office
United Way 211 Northeast Florida
Help here
- Information and referralsCall any time for free referrals to local health, crisis, food, housing, and social services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on unitedwaynefl.org
Older adults · Regional office
Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc. d/b/a Elder Options
100 SW 75th St., Suite 301, Gainesville, FL 32607
Help here
- Aging and disability referralsOlder adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers can get connected to local support services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on agingresources.org
Veterans · County office
Columbia County Veteran Services
1486 SW McFarlane Ave., Lake City, FL 32025
Help here
- Veterans benefits claims helpVeterans, dependents, and survivors can get help applying for state and federal benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiacountyfla.com
Emergency help · County office
Columbia County Emergency Management
Help here
- Emergency informationResidents can get updates and information during a local emergency.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on em.columbiacountyfla.com
Community action · Nonprofit
Suwannee Valley 4Cs
236 SW Columbia Ave., Lake City, FL 32025
Help here
- Head Start and Early Head StartEligible families can apply for early learning programs for young children and pregnant people.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sv4cs.org
Jobs and training · Regional office
CareerSource Florida Crown Columbia County Career Center
1389 US Highway 90 West, Suite 170, Lake City, FL 32055
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesJob seekers can get help looking for work and using career services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on careersourcefloridacrown.com
State office · County office
Columbia County Tax Collector Lake City Office
135 NE Hernando Ave., Suite 125, Lake City, FL 32055
Help here
- Driver license and ID servicesResidents can apply for or renew a driver license or state ID card.Apply online
- Vehicle tags and titlesResidents can handle vehicle tags, registrations, and title services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiataxcollector.com
Library · County office
Columbia County Public Library
308 NW Columbia Ave., Lake City, FL 32055
Help here
- Library servicesResidents can use library materials and other services through the county library system.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiacountyfla.com
Columbia County, Florida website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Columbia County, closest to the center of Lake City first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Catholic Charities Suwanee County
0.5 miles from the center of Lake City553 NW Railroad ST, Lake City, FL 32055
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 12 PM
- Tue9 AM to 12 PM
- Wed9 AM to 12 PM
- Fri9 AM to 12 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Catholic Charities
0.6 miles from the center of Lake City553 NW Railroad ST, Lake City, FL 32055
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 12 PM
- Tue9 AM to 12 PM
- Wed9 AM to 12 PM
- Fri9 AM to 12 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Florida Gateway Food Bank
0.6 miles from the center of Lake City553 NW Railroad ST, Lake City, FL 32055
Hours
- Mon: times not listed, call first
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Power for Living
9.6 miles from the center of Lake City22880 Sr247, Lake City, FL 32024
Hours
- Thu4 PM to 5 PM (4th of the month)
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Young Marines
18 miles from the center of Lake City17579 SW State Road 47, Ft. White, FL 32038
Hours
- Tue10:30 AM to 1 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Obrien Baptist Church
21 miles from the center of Lake City9544 E County Road 349, O'brien, FL 32071
Hours
- Tue10 AM to 12 PM (3rd of the month)
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Columbia 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 of the Big Bend
4446 Entrepot Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32310
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
Three Rivers 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
Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc.
1171 Nobles Ferry Road NW, #2, Live Oak, FL 32064
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Columbia County
Florida programs by kind of help
These are run by Florida 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
Talk to a person
- United Way 211 Northeast Florida
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