Elyria
Ask about Elyria
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Elyria and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Elyria
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · Regional office
Ohio 211
Help here
- Local help and referralsCall 211 to connect with local food, housing, utility, health, employment, and other support services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ohio211.org
Utilities · City office
Utilities Department
131 Court Street, First Floor, Elyria, OH 44035
Help here
- Utility bills and serviceAsk about city water, sewer, and sanitation service, bills, or payment options.Apply online
- Help paying a utility billThe city can direct residents who are behind on a utility bill to local payment assistance resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofelyria.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks and Recreation
131 Court Street, Suite 103, Elyria, OH 44035
Help here
- Recreation and senior programsResidents can ask about recreation programs, sports, pools, parks, and activities for seniors.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofelyria.org
Jobs and training · County office
OhioMeansJobs Lorain County
42495 North Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035
Help here
- Job search and career servicesGet help finding a job, exploring careers, and accessing job training.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on loraincountyohio.gov
State office
Elyria Driver Exam Station
605 Chestnut Commons Drive, Elyria, OH 44035
Help here
- Driver licensingVisit the state driver exam station for in-person driver license testing services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on bmv.ohio.gov
Library · Regional office
Elyria Public Library System
211 Second Street, Elyria, OH 44035
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the library for books, learning resources, programs, and other library services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elyrialibrary.org
Local office · City office
City Hall
131 Court Street, Elyria, OH 44035
Help here
- City information and contactsContact City Hall to find the right city department or get general city information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofelyria.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Elyria first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Salvation Army - West Park
The Salvation Army
18 miles from the center of Elyria12645 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 12:45 PM
Who can come: Listed ZIP codes in Cleveland and nearby communities; call for service area details
Listed on greaterclevelandfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Thrive for Change Drop-in Service
Thrive for Change
19 miles from the center of Elyria11002 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
Hours
- Thu2 PM to 6 PM
Who can come: Anyone; you do not have to live in the area to receive services.
Listed on thrive4change.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Community Corner Hunger Center
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cleveland
20 miles from the center of Elyria8300 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
Hours
- Mon1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- Thu9:30 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: People who live south of Lake Erie, west of West 52nd Street, east of West 117th Street, and north of Clark Avenue
What to bring: No ID or proof of income required.
Listed on svdpcle.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Salvation Army - Ohio City
The Salvation Army
21 miles from the center of Elyria4400 Clark Ave, Cleveland, OH 44109
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 11:30 AM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 44102, 44109, 44113, and 44144; call for service area details
Listed on greaterclevelandfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
United Hearts Life Mission Ctr
21 miles from the center of Elyria3339 Broadview Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 1 PM
Listed on greaterclevelandfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Southwest Ozanam Center
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cleveland
22 miles from the center of Elyria2145 Broadview Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109
Hours
- Tue10 AM to 1 PM
- Thu10 AM to 1 PM
- Sat10 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: Anyone in need
What to bring: No ID or proof of income required.
Listed on svdpcle.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Elyria
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
Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio
5510 Baumhart Rd, Lorain, OH 44053
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
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
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
Lorain County Community Action Agency, Inc.
936 Broadway Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052-0245
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Lorain County
Elyria is in Lorain County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Lorain County Department of Job and Family Services
42485 North Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035
Help here
- Cash, food, and medical assistanceApply for cash, food, and medical help or ask about your benefits.Apply online
- Child care assistanceGet help paying for child care while you work, train, or attend school.
- Child supportGet help with child support services and questions about your case.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lcdjfs.com
Public health · Regional office
Lorain County Public Health WIC
9880 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035
Help here
- WIC food and nutrition supportEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children can get food benefits, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on loraincountyhealth.com
Housing help · Regional office
Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority
1600 Kansas Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052
Help here
- Housing assistanceContact the housing authority about housing programs and assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lmha.org
Public health · Regional office
Lorain County Public Health
9880 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035
Help here
- Public health servicesGet help with public health services, health information, and referrals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on loraincountyhealth.com
Mental health and recovery · County office
Lorain County Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board
1165 North Ridge Road East, Lorain, OH 44055
Help here
- Behavioral health and recovery servicesFind local mental health and addiction treatment and recovery services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on loraincountyohio.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
United Way of Greater Lorain County 2-1-1
Help here
- Information and referralsCall any time to find local help with basic needs, health care, housing, utilities, and more.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211lorain.org
Ohio programs by kind of help
These are run by Ohio 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 - 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
- Ohio 211
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