Gainesville
Ask about Gainesville
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Gainesville and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Gainesville
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
Housing and Community Development
Thomas Center, Building B, 306 NE Sixth Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Help here
- Housing assistance programsApply for city housing programs such as down payment assistance, home repair, or foreclosure help.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gainesvillefl.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Gainesville Housing Authority
1900 SE 4th St., Gainesville, FL 32641
Help here
- Public housing and housing vouchersContact the Housing Authority about public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gainesvillehousingfl.org
Utilities · City office
Gainesville Regional Utilities Customer Service
301 SE 4th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Help here
- Utility billing and payment assistance referralsGet help with utility billing and learn about payment assistance and energy efficiency programs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gru.com
Older adults · Nonprofit
Gainesville/Alachua County Senior Recreation Center
5701 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32653
Help here
- Senior recreation and activitiesOlder adults can join fitness, health education, arts, nutrition, social, and volunteer activities.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gainesvillefl.gov
Local office · City office
City of Gainesville Customer Service
200 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Help here
- City customer serviceCall the city for help finding the right department or report a non-emergency city service issue.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gainesvillefl.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
CareerSource North Central Florida Gainesville Career Center
1112 N Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601
Help here
- Job search and employment servicesCall to schedule an appointment for job search and employment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on careersourcencfl.com
State office
Alachua County Tax Collector Driver License Services
5830 NW 34th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32653
Help here
- Driver license and identification card servicesApply for, renew, or replace a Florida driver license or identification card.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on alachuacollector.com
Library · County office
Alachua County Library District
401 E University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Help here
- Public library servicesVisit the library for books, computers, Wi-Fi, printing, and public programs.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on aclib.us
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Thomas Center, Building B, 306 NE Sixth Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind city parks, recreation activities, youth programs, sports, swimming, and fitness programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gainesvillefl.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Gainesville
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
Feeding Northeast Florida
5245 Old Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL 32254
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
Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc.
411 N. Main Street, Suite 210, Gainesville, FL 32601
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Alachua County
Gainesville is in Alachua County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Alachua County Community Support Services
218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL 32641
Help here
- Social servicesResidents can ask about short-term financial help and connections to health and other services.Read more
- Housing programsResidents can contact the department to learn about county housing programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on alachuacounty.us
Human services · Nonprofit
United Way of North Central Florida 211
Help here
- Local help and resource referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with food, housing, bills, health care, work, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on unitedwayncfl.org
State office
Florida Department of Health in Alachua County WIC
Help here
- WIC food and nutrition supportEligible families can get food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on alachua.floridahealth.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Alachua County Housing Authority
703 NE 1st Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
Help here
- Public housing and housing choice vouchersResidents can contact the authority about public housing and housing choice voucher programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on acha-fl.com
Public health · State office
Florida Department of Health in Alachua County
Help here
- Public health servicesResidents can contact the county health department for local public health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on alachua.floridahealth.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Alachua County Crisis Center
218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL 32641
Help here
- Crisis supportPeople in crisis can call any time for help and support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on alachuacounty.us
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 of North Central Florida 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 352-332-4636 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988