Jackson County
Ask about Jackson County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Jackson County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Jackson County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office
Jackson County DFCS Office
456 Athens Street, Jefferson, GA 30549
Help here
- Food assistance, Medicaid, and TANFVisit or contact this office about food assistance, Medicaid, or TANF benefits.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on dfcs.georgia.gov
Local office · Regional office
United Way of Northeast Georgia 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 to get help finding local food, housing, utility, health, job, and other community resources.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on unitedwaynega.org
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of Jackson County
Help here
- Affordable housing and rental assistanceApply for available housing and check which housing programs have open waitlists.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hajc.net
Public health · Regional office
Jackson County Health Department - Commerce
623 S Elm Street, Commerce, GA 30529
Help here
- Public health servicesVisit the health department for local public health services.
- WICWIC offers eligible pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and children food support and nutrition services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on jacksoncountygov.com
Public health · Regional office
Jackson County Health Department - Jefferson
341 Stan Evans Drive, Jefferson, GA 30549
Help here
- Public health servicesVisit the health department for local public health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on jacksoncountygov.com
Older adults · Regional office
Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging
305 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30610
Help here
- Aging and disability resourcesContact the agency for information and referrals to aging and disability services serving Jackson County.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on aging.georgia.gov
Veterans · State office
Athens Veterans Field Service Office
9249 U.S. Highway 29, Athens, GA 30601
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help understanding and applying for veterans benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on veterans.georgia.gov
Emergency help · County office
Jackson County Emergency Management Agency
368 Curtis H. Spence Drive, Jefferson, GA 30549
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and alertsGet county emergency information, preparedness guidance, and public warning updates.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on jacksoncountygov.com
Jobs and training · State office
Athens Career Center
150 Evelyn C. Neely Drive, Athens, GA 30601
Help here
- Employment and unemployment servicesGet help with job search and employment services, including unemployment claims.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dol.georgia.gov
Library · Regional office
Piedmont Regional Library System
990 Washington Street, Jefferson, GA 30549
Help here
- Public library servicesUse library books, learning resources, public computers, and programs across the library system.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on prlib.org
Jackson County, Georgia website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Jackson 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
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
890 Newton Bridge Road, Athens, GA 30607
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
Georgia Legal Services Program
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
Area Committee to Improve Opportunities Now, Inc.
2440 West Broad Street, Suite 9, Athens, GA 30606
Listed on dfcs.georgia.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Jackson County
Georgia programs by kind of help
These are run by Georgia 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 - 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 Northeast Georgia 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