Forrest County

Local offices in Forrest County

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

• Human services · State office

  Mississippi Department of Human Services, Forrest County Office

  1604 W Pine St, Hattiesburg, MS

  Help here

  • SNAP and TANFVisit or contact this office for help with SNAP and TANF applications and benefits.Apply online
  Call 601-554-4350DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on mdhs.ms.gov

• Child support · State office

  Young Williams Child Support Office, Hattiesburg

  5 Willow Bend Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39402

  Help here

  • Child support servicesContact the office for help with child support services and case questions.
  Call 877-882-4916DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on mdhs.ms.gov

• Human services · Regional office

  Mississippi 211

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 for referrals to local help with essential needs and services.
  Call 866-472-8265Website

  Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on unitedwaysems.org

• Community action · Nonprofit

  Pearl River Valley Opportunity, Forrest County Office

  100 West Front Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

  Help here

  • Community servicesContact the agency about community assistance services available to Forrest County residents.
  Call 601-545-8110DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on prvoinc.org

• Housing authority · City office

  Housing Authority of the City of Hattiesburg

  515 E 4th Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

  Help here

  • Public housingThe authority offers affordable public housing for eligible low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities.
  Call 601-583-1881DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hattiesburgha.com

• Public health · State office

  Forrest County Health Department

  5008 Old Hwy 42, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

  Help here

  • County health clinic servicesThe health department provides county clinic services and accepts appointments by phone.
  • WICThe clinic provides WIC services for eligible pregnant people, infants, and young children.
  Call 601-583-0291DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on msdh.ms.gov

• Mental health and recovery · Regional office

  Forrest Mental Health Center

  103 S 19th Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS 39404

  Help here

  • Mental health servicesResidents can contact the center to arrange mental health care.
  Call 601-544-4641DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on pbmhr.org

• Courts and legal help · County office

  Forrest County Public Defender

  Help here

  • Public defenseContact the public defender's office with questions about legal representation in county cases.
  Call 601-545-6122Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on forrestcountyms.us

• Older adults · Regional office

  Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District Area Agency on Aging

  10441 Corporate Drive, Suite 1, Gulfport, MS 39503

  Help here

  • Aging and caregiver supportThe agency connects older adults and caregivers with services such as meals, transportation, and Medicare counseling.
  Call 228-868-2311DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smpdd.com

• Veterans · County office

  Forrest County Veterans Service Office

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits assistanceThe office helps veterans and their families with questions about available benefits.
  Call 601-583-4521Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on forrestcountyms.us

• Emergency help · County office

  Forrest County Emergency Management

  Help here

  • Emergency preparednessContact the county office for local emergency preparedness information.
  Call 601-544-5911Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on forrestcountyms.us

• Jobs and training · State office

  Hattiesburg WIN Job Center

  1911 Arcadia Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

  Help here

  • Job search and trainingThe center offers job placement help, career counseling, and job and skills training.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on mdes.ms.gov

• Library · Regional office

  The Library of Hattiesburg, Petal & Forrest County

  Help here

  • Library servicesResidents can use the library system for library cards, books, and other library services.
  Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on hattlibrary.org

Forrest County, Mississippi website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Forrest County

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

Cities and towns in Forrest County

• Hattiesburg
• Petal

Mississippi programs by kind of help

These are run by Mississippi 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.
• GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
• TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
• 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.
• LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.

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