Clay County
Ask about Clay County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Clay County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Clay County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Clay County General Relief
215 W 4th St, Suite 6, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Emergency rent, utility, and burial assistanceApply for short-term help with rent, utilities, or burial costs if you meet the county's income and resource rules.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on claycounty.iowa.gov
Public health · Nonprofit
Mid-Sioux Opportunity WIC Clinic, Spencer
714 10th Ave E, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- WIC nutrition and food supportEligible pregnant or postpartum people and families with young children can get nutrition help and monthly food benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on midsioux.org
State office
Clay County Iowa HHS Office
1900 N Grand Ave, Suite E-8, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Iowa HHS benefits and servicesVisit or call the office for help with Iowa HHS services available to Clay County residents.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.iowa.gov
Local office · Regional office
211 Iowa
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall or search online to find local help with food, housing, utilities, health care, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211iowa.org
Housing help · Regional office
Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority
2016 Highway Blvd, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Housing choice vouchersApply for rental help through the Housing Choice Voucher program if you meet its eligibility rules.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nwirha.org
Public health · County office
Clay County Public Health
101 E 10th St, Spencer Medical Arts Building, 2nd Floor, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Public health servicesContact the county public health office about disease prevention, health promotion, and local public health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on spencerhospital.org
Public health · County office
Clay County Environmental Health
300 W 4th St, Suite 6, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Environmental healthContact the department about environmental health risks and county health regulations.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on clay.county.iowa.sites.gmdsolutions.net
Older adults · Regional office
Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Spencer Office
714 10th Ave E, Suite 1, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportContact the agency for information and support with aging services and caregiver resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elderbridge.org
Veterans · County office
Clay County Veterans Affairs
505 2nd Ave, West Suite C, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Veterans benefits and emergency assistanceGet help applying for veterans benefits and ask about emergency assistance for eligible veterans and dependents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on claycounty.iowa.gov
Emergency help · County office
Clay County Emergency Management
3121 W 4th St, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and recoveryGet county information about preparing for emergencies and recovering after disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on claycounty.iowa.gov
Jobs and training · State office
IowaWORKS Spencer
217 W 5th St, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Job search and career assistanceGet help with career planning, resumes, training, and unemployment questions.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on workforce.iowa.gov
State office
Clay County Treasurer's Office, Driver's License
300 W 4th St, Spencer, IA 51301
Help here
- Driver's licenses and state ID cardsMake an appointment for Iowa driver's license or identification services at the county office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on claycounty.iowa.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Clay 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 Iowa
2220 E. 17th Street, Des Moines, IA 50316
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
Iowa Legal Aid
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
Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc. (UDMO)
101 East Robins Street, Graettinger, IA 51342
Listed on hhs.iowa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Clay County
Iowa programs by kind of help
These are run by Iowa 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
- 211 Iowa
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 866-813-1731 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988