Polk County
Ask about Polk County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Polk County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Polk County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Child support · State office
Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement
115 S. Missouri Ave., Suite 102, Lakeland, FL 33815
Help here
- Child support enforcementParents can get help with enforcing a child support order.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polkclerkfl.gov
State office
Bartow WIC
1275 Brice Blvd., Bartow, FL 33830
Help here
- WIC food and nutrition supportEligible families can get healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polk.floridahealth.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
United Way of Central Florida 211
Help here
- Local help and referralsCall 211 for help finding local housing, utility, child care, food, health, and other services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on uwcf.org
Public health · State office
Florida Department of Health in Polk County
1290 Golfview Ave., Bartow, FL 33830
Help here
- County health servicesResidents can find county health clinics and public health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polk.floridahealth.gov
Courts and legal help · Regional office
Stephen H. Grimes Law Library
Polk County Courthouse, 255 N. Broadway Ave., 3rd Floor, Bartow, FL 33830
Help here
- Legal research resourcesResidents can use legal research materials and get help finding resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on jud10.flcourts.org
Older adults · Regional office
Senior Connection Center
Help here
- Aging and caregiver servicesOlder adults and caregivers can get connected to local support and services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on seniorconnectioncenter.org
Veterans · County office
Polk County Veteran Services
1290 Golfview Ave., Bartow, FL 33830
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpVeterans and their families can get help applying for benefits and services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polkfl.gov
Emergency help · County office
Polk County Emergency Management
Help here
- Disaster preparedness informationResidents can find information to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polkfl.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
CareerSource Polk Lakeland Career Center
309 N. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801
Help here
- Job search and career servicesJob seekers can get help with finding work, career planning, and training.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on careersourcepolk.com
Library · County office
Polk County Public Libraries
Help here
- Library accounts and resourcesResidents can get a library card and use library materials and services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on polklibrary.org
Polk County Government website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Polk County, closest to the center of Lakeland first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Talbot House Ministries, Inc.
0.3 miles from the center of Lakeland814 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801
Hours
- Fri8 AM to 10 AM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
New Jerusalem MBC
0.3 miles from the center of Lakeland1125 N New York Ave, Lakeland, FL 33805
Hours
- Wed8 AM to 10 AM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Lakeland Seventh Day Adventist Church
0.6 miles from the center of Lakeland1435 Gilmore Ave, Lakeland, FL 33805
Hours
- Wed5 PM to 6 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Lakes Church
0.6 miles from the center of Lakeland1010 E Memorial BLVD, Lakland, FL 33801
Hours
- Tue3 PM to 6 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
St. Joseph Lakeland
0.9 miles from the center of Lakeland118 W Lemon ST, Lakeland, FL 33815
Hours
- Tue9 AM to 11 AM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Greater St. Paul Family Service Center
1 mile from the center of Lakeland1130 N Webster Ave, Lakeland, FL 33805
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 12 PM
- Thu10 AM to 12 PM
Listed on gis.fdacs.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Polk 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
Feeding Tampa Bay
3624 Causeway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33619
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
The Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc
PO Box 3126, Winter Haven, FL 33885-3126
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Polk 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 of Central Florida 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 888-370-7188 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988