Rensselaer County

Local offices in Rensselaer County

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

• Human services · County office

  Rensselaer County Department of Social Services

  1600 7th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180

  Help here

  • Public assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, and HEAPApply for public assistance, food benefits, medical assistance, or help with heating costs.
  • Child support enforcementGet help establishing or enforcing child support and collecting payments.Read more
  Call 518-833-6000DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · Nonprofit

  CEO Women, Infants, and Children Program

  2328 5th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Troy, NY 12180

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition assistanceApply for food and nutrition support if you are pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or caring for a child under five.Apply online
  Call 518-272-6159DirectionsWebsite

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

• Housing help · Regional office

  Rensselaer Housing Authority

  85 Aiken Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144

  Help here

  • Housing assistanceContact the housing authority about its housing programs and applications.
  Call 518-436-0230DirectionsWebsite

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

• Public health · County office

  Rensselaer County Health Department

  1600 7th Avenue, 5th Floor, Troy, NY 12180

  Help here

  • Public health servicesGet information and services that support the health of county residents.
  Call 518-270-2655DirectionsWebsite

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

• Mental health and recovery · County office

  Rensselaer County Department of Mental Health

  1600 7th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Troy, NY 12180

  Help here

  • Mental health and substance use servicesFind county mental health, prevention, care coordination, and recovery support services.
  Call 518-270-2800DirectionsWebsite

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

• Courts and legal help · State office

  F. Warren Travers Supreme Court Library

  86 2nd Street, Troy, NY 12180

  Help here

  • Court legal information and researchUse legal research resources and ask library staff for help finding information and forms.
  Call 518-285-6183DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · County office

  Rensselaer County Unified Family Services Department for the Aging

  99 Troy Road, Suite 306, East Greenbush, NY 12061

  Help here

  • Aging services and informationFind services and programs that help older adults remain independent in their communities.
  Call 518-270-2730DirectionsWebsite

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

• Veterans · County office

  Rensselaer County Veterans Service Agency

  99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits assistanceGet information and help with paperwork for veterans benefits and services.
  • Veterans medical transportationAsk about rides to the Albany VA Medical Center and Troy VA clinic.
  Call 518-270-2760DirectionsWebsite

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

• Emergency help · County office

  Rensselaer County Bureau of Public Safety

  99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061

  Help here

  • Emergency management coordinationContact the county about emergency planning and coordination with local response agencies.Read more
  Call 518-906-4180DirectionsWebsite

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

• Jobs and training · State office

  Rensselaer County Career Center

  1600 7th Avenue, 5th Floor, Troy, NY 12180

  Help here

  • Job and training servicesGet help looking for work and finding job training.
  Call 518-270-2860DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on dol.ny.gov

• State office · County office

  Rensselaer County Department of Motor Vehicles

  99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061

  Help here

  • Driver licenses and vehicle registrationApply for or renew a driver license, learner permit, or vehicle registration.
  Call 518-270-2600DirectionsWebsite

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

• Library · Regional office

  Upper Hudson Library System

  Help here

  • Library system servicesFind library services and shared resources available through member libraries in Rensselaer County.
  Website

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

Rensselaer County, NY website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Rensselaer County

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

Cities and towns in Rensselaer County

• Castleton-on-Hudson
• East Nassau
• Hoosick Falls
• Nassau
• Rensselaer
• Schaghticoke
• Troy
• Valley Falls

New York programs by kind of help

These are run by New York 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