Erie County
Ask about Erie County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Erie County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Erie County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Erie County Department of Job and Family Services
221 W. Parish St, Sandusky, OH 44870
Help here
- Food, medical, and cash assistanceGet help applying for food, medical, and cash assistance.Apply online
- Child supportGet help setting up, reviewing, or enforcing a child support order.Read more
- OhioMeansJobsGet help finding a job, training, or other work support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriecounty.oh.gov
Public health · County office
Erie County Health Department WIC
420 Superior Street, Suite 2-A, Sandusky, OH 44870
Help here
- WICWIC offers food, nutrition help, and breastfeeding support to eligible families.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriehealthohio.com
Housing help · Regional office
Erie Metropolitan Housing Authority
322 Warren Street, Sandusky, OH 44870
Help here
- Public housing and vouchersApply for public housing or a housing choice voucher when the waiting list is open.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriemetrohousing.org
Local office · Nonprofit
211 Helpline, United Way of Erie County
Help here
- Community referralsCall 211 to find local help with basic needs and family support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on unitedwayerie.org
Public health · County office
Erie County Health Department
420 Superior Street, Sandusky, OH 44870
Help here
- Public health servicesGet county health services and information about local health concerns.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriehealthohio.com
Mental health and recovery · Regional office
Mental Health & Recovery Board of Erie & Ottawa Counties
2900 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870
Help here
- Mental health and addiction servicesFind local mental health and addiction services and support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on adamhserie.org
Older adults · Regional office
GECAC Area Agency on Aging
Help here
- Aging servicesTalk with a caseworker about in-home care and other support for older adults.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on gecac.org
Veterans · County office
Erie County Veteran Services
2900 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
Help here
- Veterans assistanceGet help with veterans benefits and other services for veterans.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriecounty.oh.gov
Emergency help · County office
Erie County Emergency Management Agency
2800 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and alertsSign up for emergency alerts and find information to prepare for local hazards.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on eriecounty.oh.gov
State office
Ohio BMV Erie County Title Office
247 Columbus Ave, Room 131, Sandusky, OH 44870
Help here
- Vehicle titlesGet help with vehicle title services at the county title office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Erie County, closest to the center of Sandusky first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Helping Hands of St. Louis
Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo
44 miles from the center of Sandusky443 Sixth Street, Toledo, OH 43605
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Meals are served Monday through Friday. Call for the meal schedule.
Who can come: Everyone who comes for a meal
What to bring: No religious affiliation or residency requirements.
Listed on catholiccharitiesnwo.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Sally's Market Food Pantry
The Salvation Army Northwest Ohio Area Services
45 miles from the center of Sandusky620 N Erie St, Toledo, OH 43604
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 12 PM
- Tue9 AM to 12 PM
- Wed9 AM to 12 PM
- Thu9 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: Households in Lucas County
What to bring: Bring photo ID and proof of all household members.
Listed on salvationarmyusa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Community Heart Café
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
45 miles from the center of Sandusky428 N Erie St, Toledo, OH 43604
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 11 AM
- Wed10 AM to 11 AM
- Fri10 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: Everyone
Listed on stpaulstoledo.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Equality Toledo Community Pantry
Equality Toledo
45 miles from the center of Sandusky125 S Superior St, Toledo, OH 43604
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 1 PM
- Wed5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
- Sat1 PM to 4 PM
Who can come: Anyone in need in the Toledo area
What to bring: No ID or paperwork needed
Listed on equalitytoledo.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
St. Lucas Food Pantry at St. Johns
St. Lucas Lutheran Church
45 miles from the center of Sandusky708 S Erie St, Toledo, OH 43609
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Tue11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Wed11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Fri11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Sat11 AM to 12:30 PM
- Sun11 AM to 12:30 PM
Listed on stlucastoledo.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Vision Kitchen
Vision Ministries
45 miles from the center of Sandusky1630 Broadway St, Toledo, OH 43609
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:30pm
Listed on vision.today, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Erie County
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
Legal Aid of Western Ohio, 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
Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron, & Richland Counties, Inc.
908 Seavers Way, P.O. Box 2500, Sandusky, OH 44870
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Erie County
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
- United Way of Erie County 211 Helpline
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