DeSoto County
Ask about DeSoto County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for DeSoto County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in DeSoto County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
DeSoto County Social Services
201 E Oak Street, Suite 202, Arcadia, FL 34266
Help here
- Social services assistanceThe department helps residents in need with food, shelter, transportation, medical assistance, and energy assistance.
- LIHEAP energy assistanceEligible residents can apply online for help with home energy costs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on desotobocc.com
Housing help · City office
Arcadia Housing Authority
Help here
- Public housingThe authority provides affordable public housing for eligible low-income families in Arcadia.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on housingarcadia.com
Public health · State office
Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County
34 S Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, FL 34266
Help here
- Public health servicesThe county health department provides local public health programs and services.
- WICEligible families can get healthy food benefits, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals through WIC.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on desoto.floridahealth.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112, Fort Myers, FL 33916
Help here
- Aging and disability resource helpOlder adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers can get information and referrals to local support and long-term care resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on aaaswfl.org
Veterans · County office
DeSoto County Veterans Services
201 E Oak Street, Suite 202, Arcadia, FL 34266
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpVeterans and eligible family members can get help understanding and applying for benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on desotobocc.com
State office
DeSoto County Child Support Office
10 S DeSoto Avenue, Suite D, Arcadia, FL 34266
Help here
- Child support servicesResidents can contact the state child support program for help with child support cases and payments.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on jud12.flcourts.org
Emergency help · County office
DeSoto County Emergency Management
Help here
- Disaster information and recovery supportResidents can get local disaster response and recovery information and register for special needs sheltering.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on desotobocc.com
Local office · Regional office
United Way Suncoast 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsResidents can call 211 to find local community services and support, including during disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on unitedwaysuncoast.org
Jobs and training · Nonprofit
CareerSource Heartland DeSoto Center
2160 NE Roan Street, Arcadia, FL 34266
Help here
- Job search and employment supportJob seekers can get help with job searches, career guidance, and employment and training services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on careersourceheartland.com
Library · County office
DeSoto County Public Library
125 N Hillsborough Avenue, Arcadia, FL 34266
Help here
- Public library servicesVisit the library to borrow books and use its public library services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on desotobocc.com
DeSoto County, Florida website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in DeSoto County, closest to the center of Arcadia first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
DeSoto Food and Resource Center
1 mile from the center of Arcadia1021 E Oak ST, Arcadia, FL 34266
Hours
- Fri9 AM to 1 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
South Florida State College
1 mile from the center of Arcadia2251 Ne Turner Ave, Arcadia, FL 34266
Hours
- Tue4:30 PM to 6 PM (2nd and 4th of the month)
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Catholic Charities Desoto County Food Pantry
1.1 miles from the center of Arcadia1210 E Oak ST, Arcadia, FL 34266
Hours
- Tue4 PM to 6 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Arcadia Housing Authority
1.2 miles from the center of Arcadia7 Booker T Washington Ave, Arcadia, FL 34266
Hours
- Fri9 AM to 10 AM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Arcadia 7th Day Adventist Church
2.4 miles from the center of Arcadia2865 Se Ami DR, Arcadia, FL 34266
Hours
- Thu10 AM to 11:30 AM (3rd of the month)
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Cutting Edge Ministries
20 miles from the center of Arcadia3059 Elm ST, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890
Hours
- Tue9 AM to 12 PM
- Fri9 AM to 12 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve DeSoto 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
All Faiths Food Bank
8171 Blaikie Ct., Sarasota, FL 34240
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
Florida Rural 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
Step Up Suncoast
6428 Parkland Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in DeSoto 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 Suncoast 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