Petal
Ask about Petal
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Petal and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Petal
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
City of Petal Utility Billing
119 W 8th Ave, Petal, MS 39465
Help here
- Pay or get help with a city utility billPay a city utility bill or contact Utility Billing for account help.Apply online
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofpetal.com
Local office · Regional office
United Way of Southeast Mississippi 2-1-1
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 for free referrals to local help with health, housing, money, and other needs.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on unitedwaysems.org
Local office · City office
Petal City Hall
119 W 8th Ave, Petal, MS 39465
Help here
- City services and assistanceContact City Hall for help with city services or to reach a city department.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofpetal.com
Older adults · City office
Petal Senior Center
Help here
- Senior center servicesContact the Senior Center for services for older adults.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofpetal.com
Library · Regional office
Petal Library
714 S Main Street, Petal, MS 39465
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the library to borrow books and use library resources.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on hattlibrary.org
Checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Petal
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
Mississippi Food Network
440 W. Beatty Street, Jackson, MS 39201
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
Mississippi Center for Legal Services
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
Pearl River Valley Opportunity, Inc.
756 Highway 98 Bypass, PO Box 188, Columbia, MS 39429-0188
Listed on mdhs.ms.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Forrest County
Petal is in Forrest County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on msdh.ms.gov
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
Talk to a person
- United Way of Southeast Mississippi 2-1-1
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