Rochester
Ask about Rochester
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Rochester and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Rochester
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · Nonprofit
211 / LIFE LINE
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 for help finding local food, housing, health, and other community services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211lifeline.org
Housing help · City office
Housing Division
30 Church Street, Room 224B, Rochester, NY 14614
Help here
- Housing assistance programsThe city offers programs that help eligible residents with housing needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofrochester.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Rochester Housing Authority
270 Lake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14605
Help here
- Public housingEligible residents can apply for subsidized public housing through the Housing Authority.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on rochesterhousing.org
Utilities · City office
Water Billing
Help here
- Water bill payments and questionsResidents can review payment options and get help with questions about their water bill.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofrochester.gov
Human services · City office
Department of Recreation and Human Services
57 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14604
Help here
- Human services and crisis supportThe department connects residents with crisis support and other community services.
- Recreation and youth programsResidents can find recreation, sports, and youth development programs through the department.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofrochester.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Rochester Career Center
321 State Street, Suite 210, Rochester, NY 14608
Help here
- Job search and career servicesResidents can get help with job searches and other career services at the Career Center.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dol.ny.gov
State office
Rochester Downtown DMV Office
200 East Main Street, Suite 101, Rochester, NY 14604
Help here
- Driver licensing and DMV servicesResidents can visit the downtown DMV office for driver license and other DMV services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ny.gov
Library · City office
Rochester Public Library
115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
Help here
- Library materials, computers, and programsResidents can use library materials, free computers, and programs at the Central Library and neighborhood branches.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofrochester.gov
Local office · City office
311 Customer Service
Help here
- City service helpCall 311 for help with city services, requests, and non-emergency questions.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofrochester.gov
City of Rochester, New York website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Rochester
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
Foodlink, Inc.
2011 Mt. Read Blvd., Rochester, NY 14615
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
Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
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
Action for a Better Community, Inc.
400 West Ave Fl 3, Rochester, NY 14611-2538
Listed on dos.ny.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Monroe County
Rochester is in Monroe County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Monroe County Department of Human Services
111 Westfall Rd., Rochester, NY 14620
Help here
- Public assistance and benefitsApply for SNAP, Medicaid, temporary assistance, HEAP, child care subsidies, and other support.
- Child support servicesGet help applying for and enforcing child support orders.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecounty.gov
Public health · County office
Monroe County WIC Program
270 Elm Ridge Center Dr., Rochester, NY 14626
Help here
- WIC food and nutrition supportGet food benefits and nutrition support during pregnancy and for infants and young children.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecounty.gov
Public health · County office
Monroe County Department of Public Health
111 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14620
Help here
- Public health servicesGet health services, immunizations, disease information, and help with environmental health concerns.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecounty.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Monroe County Office of Mental Health
1099 Jay Street, Building J, Rochester, NY 14611
Help here
- Mental health and addiction servicesFind local mental health, addiction, and developmental disability services and crisis resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecounty.gov
Older adults · County office
Monroe County Office for the Aging
435 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14620
Help here
- Aging and disability servicesGet information and help finding long-term care, caregiver support, meals, and other services for older adults and people with disabilities.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecounty.gov
Veterans · County office
Monroe County Veterans Service Agency
125 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14620
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpGet help preparing, filing, and tracking claims for veterans benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on monroecounty.gov
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
Talk to a person
- 211/LIFE LINE
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