Lawrence

Local offices in Lawrence

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• State office

  DTA Lawrence Transitional Assistance Office

  280 Merrimack Street, Lawrence, MA 01843

  Help here

  • SNAP and cash assistanceApply for food and cash benefits or get help with an existing case.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 978-725-7100DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Housing help · City office

  Lawrence Community Development and Housing

  360 Merrimack Street, Entrance K, Unit 270, Lawrence, MA 01840

  Help here

  • Community housing programsThe department manages city housing programs that may help residents with housing needs.
  Call 978-620-3510DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflawrence.com

• Housing help · Regional office

  Lawrence Housing Authority

  353 Elm Street, Lawrence, MA 01841

  Help here

  • Public housing and rental vouchersResidents can contact the Housing Authority about public housing and rental voucher programs.
  Call 978-685-3811DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lawrencehousing.org

• Utilities · City office

  Lawrence Water and Sewer Department

  396 Water Street, Lawrence, MA 01840

  Help here

  • Water and sewer billsResidents can ask about water and sewer bills, usage, and payment options.Read more
  Call 978-620-3110DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflawrence.com

• Older adults · City office

  Lawrence Council on Aging and Senior Center

  155 Haverhill Street, Lawrence, MA 01840

  Help here

  • Senior services and activitiesOlder adults can get referrals, meals, transportation, and information about local services and activities.
  Call 978-620-3550DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflawrence.com

• Local office · City office

  Lawrence City Hall

  200 Common Street, Lawrence, MA 01840

  Help here

  • City customer service and report a concernCall or use the city form to report a local problem or ask the city for help.Read more
  Call 978-620-3000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflawrence.com

• Jobs and training · State office

  MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center

  439 South Union Street, Suite 208, Lawrence, MA 01840

  Help here

  • Job search and career supportJob seekers can get help with job searches, career planning, training, and workshops.Apply online
  Call 978-722-7000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• State office

  Lawrence RMV Service Center

  73 Winthrop Avenue, Lawrence, MA 01843

  Help here

  • Driver license and ID servicesResidents can make an appointment for in-person driver license, learner permit, or ID transactions.Apply online
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Library · City office

  Lawrence Public Library

  51 Lawrence Street, Lawrence, MA 01841

  Help here

  • Library services and programsResidents can use library collections, get help from library staff, and attend programs.
  Call 978-620-3600DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lawrencefreelibrary.org

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Lawrence Recreation Department

  155 Haverhill Street, Second Floor, Lawrence, MA 01840

  Help here

  • Sports and recreation programsResidents can find and sign up for sports and recreation programs for youth, teens, and adults.
  Call 978-620-3252DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityoflawrence.com

City of Lawrence website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Lawrence first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Food pantry

  Food Access Center (Food Pantry), North End

  ABCD Action for Boston Community Development

  24 miles from the center of Lawrence

  1 Michelangelo Street, Boston, MA 02113

  Hours

  • Tue9 AM to 4 PM
  • Wed9 AM to 4 PM
  • Thu9 AM to 4 PM
  • Fri9 AM to 4 PM
  Call 617-523-8125DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on bostonabcd.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Food Access Center (Food Pantry), West End

  ABCD Action for Boston Community Development

  24 miles from the center of Lawrence

  75 Blossom Court, Boston, MA 02114

  Hours

  • Mon9 AM to 4 PM
  • Tue9 AM to 4 PM
  • Wed9 AM to 4 PM
  • Thu9 AM to 4 PM
  Call 617-523-8125DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on bostonabcd.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  Manna

  24 miles from the center of Lawrence

  138 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111

  Hours

  • Mon9:30 AM to 2 PM
  • Tue9:30 AM to 12 PM
  • Sun8:30 AM to 11 AM

  Who can come: Unstably housed people in Boston

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on mannaboston.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Boston Rescue Mission Food Pantry

  Boston Rescue Mission

  25 miles from the center of Lawrence

  39 Kingston St, Boston, MA 02111

  Hours

  • Mon2 PM to 3 PM
  • Sat2 PM to 3:30 PM
  Call 617-446-3458DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on brm.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  Friday Night Supper Program

  25 miles from the center of Lawrence

  351 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

  Hours

  • Fri5 PM to 7 PM

  Who can come: Anyone who would like a free meal

  What to bring: No registration or sign up is required

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on fridaynightsupper.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  Meals

  St. Francis House

  25 miles from the center of Lawrence

  39 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

  Hours

  • Mon7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
  • Tue7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
  • Wed7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
  • Thu7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
  • Fri7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
  • Sat7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch
  • Sun7 AM to 9 AM. Breakfast; 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Lunch

  Who can come: Guests

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on stfrancishouse.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Lawrence

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Offices for all of Essex County

Lawrence is in Essex County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• State office

  DTA North Shore Transitional Assistance Office

  45 Congress Street, Suite 4120, Salem, MA 01970

  Help here

  • SNAP and cash assistanceApply for food and cash benefits or get help with an existing case.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 978-825-7300DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Courts and legal help · State office

  Lawrence Court Service Center

  2 Appleton Street, 2nd Floor, Lawrence, MA 01840

  Help here

  • Court self-helpGet free help understanding court forms and processes if you do not have a lawyer.
  Call 711DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Library · State office

  Essex Law Library

  2 Appleton Street, Lawrence, MA 01840

  Help here

  • Legal researchUse legal reference materials and ask library staff for help with legal research.
  Call 978-687-7608DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mass.gov

• Older adults · Regional office

  SeniorCare Inc.

  Help here

  • Aging and caregiver servicesFind information and support for older adults and family caregivers in the region.
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on seniorcareinc.org

• Jobs and training · Regional office

  MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center

  439 South Union Street, Suite 208, Lawrence, MA 01843

  Help here

  • Job search and career supportGet help with job searches, resumes, career planning, and training options.
  Call 978-722-7000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on masshiremvcc.com

• Jobs and training · Regional office

  MassHire North Shore Career Center

  70 Washington Street, First Floor, Salem, MA 01970

  Help here

  • Job search and career supportGet help with job searches, resumes, career planning, and training options.
  Call 978-825-7200DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on masshire-nscareers.org

Everything in Essex County

Massachusetts programs by kind of help

These are run by Massachusetts 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