Charleston
Ask about Charleston
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Charleston and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Charleston
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing authority · City office
City of Charleston Housing and Community Development
2 George St, Charleston, SC 29401
Help here
- Housing and community development programsAsk about city housing programs and community development funds for eligible residents.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on charleston-sc.gov
Housing authority · Regional office
Housing Authority of the City of Charleston
550 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
Help here
- Public housing and housing choice vouchersGet information about public housing and housing choice vouchers.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on chacity.org
Older adults · City office
City of Charleston Senior Programs and Senior Centers
Help here
- Senior activitiesFind activities and senior centers offering exercise, classes, and social programs for older adults.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on charleston-sc.gov
Local office · City office
City of Charleston Citizen Services Desk
80 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
Help here
- City service requests and questionsCall or submit a request about a non-emergency city service or neighborhood issue.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on charleston-sc.gov
State office · State office
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, Charleston - Orleans Road
946 Orleans Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
Help here
- Driver licensingVisit this state office for driver license services and knowledge or road tests.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.sc.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
City of Charleston Recreation Department
823 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
Help here
- Recreation programs and activitiesFind and register for city recreation programs, sports, classes, and activities.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on charleston-sc.gov
City of Charleston, South Carolina website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Charleston
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
Lowcountry Food Bank
2864 Azalea Drive, Charleston, SC 29405
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
South Carolina 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
Palmetto Community Action Partnership
1069 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Listed on oeo.sc.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Charleston County
Charleston is in Charleston County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
State office · State office
South Carolina Department of Social Services, Charleston County Office
3366 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405
Help here
- Public benefits and family servicesVisit the county DSS office for help with state assistance programs and family services.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dss.sc.gov
Housing authority · County office
Charleston County Community Development and Revitalization
4045 Bridge View Dr., Suite B217, North Charleston, SC 29405
Help here
- Home repair and housing assistance programsFind county housing programs for home repairs, disaster help, and housing support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on charlestoncounty.gov
Housing authority · Regional office
Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
2106 Mount Pleasant Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Help here
- Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher ProgramApply for public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher when the program waiting list is open.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cchra.net
Public health · State office
Charleston County Health Department
3685 Rivers Ave., Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405
Help here
- Public health clinic servicesMake appointments for family planning, immunizations, sexual health, tuberculosis, and other clinic services.
- WICApply for nutrition support through the county health department's WIC program.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dph.sc.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Charleston Center (Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services)
3685 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405
Help here
- Substance use treatment and recovery servicesGet substance use prevention, outpatient and residential treatment, and withdrawal support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on charlestoncounty.gov
Local office · Regional office
Trident United Way 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 any time to find local health and human service resources.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on tuw.org
South Carolina programs by kind of help
These are run by South Carolina 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 - 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
- Trident United Way 2-1-1 Hotline
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