Altoona
Ask about Altoona
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Altoona and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Altoona
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office · State office
Blair County Assistance Office
1100 Green Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601
Help here
- Public benefitsApply for state benefits such as food, cash, and medical assistance.Apply online
- LIHEAPAsk about help paying home heating costs through LIHEAP.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Housing authority · City office
City of Altoona Community Development
1301 12th Street, Suite 400, Altoona, PA 16601
Help here
- Housing rehabilitationAsk the department about the city's housing rehabilitation programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on altoonapa.gov
Housing authority · Regional office
Altoona Housing Authority
2700 Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602
Help here
- Public housingApply for public housing for eligible households when the waiting list is open.
- Housing Choice VoucherAsk about rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on altoonahousing.org
Utilities · Regional office
Altoona Water Authority Billing and Customer Service
900 Chestnut Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601
Help here
- Water and sewer billsGet help with water or sewer billing and paying your bill.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on altoonawater.gov
Local office · City office
Altoona City Hall
1301 Twelfth Street, Altoona, PA 16601
Help here
- City customer serviceCall or visit City Hall to reach city offices and ask about city services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on altoonapa.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
PA CareerLink Blair County
1600 5th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602
Help here
- Job and career helpGet help searching for jobs, building a resume, training, and career planning.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sapdc.net
State office · State office
PennDOT Altoona Driver License Center
1738A 9th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602
Help here
- Driver licensing and photo IDVisit for driver license, photo ID, REAL ID, and other services offered at this center.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Library · Regional office
Altoona Area Public Library
1600 5th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602
Help here
- Library services and programsGet a library card, borrow materials, use digital resources, and join library programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on altoonalibrary.org
Parks and recreation · Regional office
Central Blair Recreation and Parks Commission
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind year-round recreation programs and activities at facilities in the Altoona area.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cbrcparks.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Altoona
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
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109
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
MidPenn Legal Services, 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
Blair County Community Action Program
2100 Sixth Avenue, Suite 102, Altoona, PA 16602
Listed on dced.pa.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Blair County
Altoona is in Blair County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Child support · County office
Blair County Domestic Relations Section
423 Allegheny Street, Suite 327, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Help here
- Child support servicesThe office helps parents establish and manage child support orders.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on blairco.org
State office · State office
Blair County Assistance Office
1100 Green Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601
Help here
- Public benefits applicationsResidents can apply for benefits and get help with services such as food, health coverage, and cash assistance.Apply online
- Energy assistanceEligible households can apply for help with heating bills through LIHEAP.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on pa.gov
Human services · County office
Blair County Department of Social Services
423 Allegheny Street, Suite 441B, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Help here
- Human services and housing helpThe department connects residents with county human services and housing programs.
- Behavioral health and intellectual disability servicesThe county coordinates mental health, intellectual disability, and drug and alcohol services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on blaircountypa.gov
Human services · Regional office
PA 211
Help here
- Local help and service referralsCall 211 to get connected with local help for needs such as food, housing, bills, and crisis support.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on pa211.org
Community action · Nonprofit
Center for Community Action
195 Drive In Lane, Everett, PA 15537
Help here
- Community action servicesContact the agency for help with housing and other services for local residents.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on centerforcommunityaction.org
Housing authority · County office
Blair County Housing Authority
1407 Blair Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Help here
- Affordable housing and rental vouchersThe authority offers housing assistance to eligible low-income households outside the City of Altoona.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cobrah.com
Pennsylvania programs by kind of help
These are run by Pennsylvania 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 - 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
- PA 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