Columbia

Local offices in Columbia

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Human services · City office

  City of Columbia Homeless Services

  1800 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201

  Help here

  • Shelter and homelessness supportGet help connecting with shelter and support if you are experiencing homelessness in Columbia.
  Call 803-545-3472DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiasc.gov

• Housing authority · City office

  Columbia Housing

  1917 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29204

  Help here

  • Subsidized housingAsk about affordable housing and housing programs for eligible residents.
  Call 803-254-3886DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiahousing.org

• Utilities · City office

  City of Columbia Customer Care Center

  3000 Harden Street, Columbia, SC 29203

  Help here

  • Utility bills and customer helpGet help with water and sewer bills, ask questions, or report a concern to the City.Read more
  • Water and sewer bill assistanceEligible City water customers can apply for help paying a past-due water or sewer bill.Apply online
  Call 803-545-3300DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on communitydevelopment.columbiasc.gov

• Jobs and training · State office

  SC Works Columbia

  700 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201

  Help here

  • Job search and workforce servicesGet job search help, career guidance, referrals, and information about training.Apply onlineRead more
  DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on scworks.org

• State office · State office

  South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, Columbia Shop Road

  1630 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201

  Help here

  • Driver licensingApply for or renew a South Carolina driver's license and complete other listed licensing transactions.Apply online
  Call 803-737-8350DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.sc.gov

• Library · Regional office

  Richland Library Main

  1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201

  Help here

  • Library services and programsUse library materials, learning spaces, career resources, and public programs in Columbia.
  Call 803-799-9084DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on richlandlibrary.com

• Parks and recreation · City office

  City of Columbia Parks and Recreation

  1111 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC 29201

  Help here

  • Parks, recreation and senior programsFind recreation programs, activities for older adults, and community centers operated by the City.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 803-545-3100DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on parksandrec.columbiasc.gov

City of Columbia, South Carolina website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Columbia

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Offices for all of Richland County

Columbia is in Richland County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Community action · Regional office

  United Way 2-1-1 (Midlands)

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 2-1-1 to find local food, housing, health, and other support services.
  Call 211Website

  Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on uwm211.org

• Child support · State office

  South Carolina Child Support Services, Columbia Regional Office

  3150 Harden St. Extension, Columbia, SC 29203

  Help here

  • Child support servicesParents can get help with child support cases and services through the regional office.
  Call 800-768-5858DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dss.sc.gov

• State office · State office

  Richland County Department of Social Services

  3220 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, SC 29204

  Help here

  • Public benefits and family servicesResidents can contact the county DSS office for help with state assistance and family services.Apply online
  Call 803-714-7300DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dss.sc.gov

• Housing authority · Regional office

  Columbia Housing

  1917 Harden St., Columbia, SC 29204

  Help here

  • Affordable housing and rental assistanceResidents can apply for affordable housing and rental assistance programs serving Richland County.Apply online
  Call 803-254-3886DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on columbiahousingsc.org

• Public health · State office

  Richland County Health Department

  2000 Hampton St., Columbia, SC 29204

  Help here

  • Public health clinic servicesResidents can get immunizations, family planning, testing, and other public health services.
  • WICWIC helps eligible families get food and nutrition support for pregnant people, infants, and young children.
  Call 803-576-2900DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dph.sc.gov

• Mental health and recovery · Regional office

  LRADAC Richland County

  2711 Colonial Dr., Columbia, SC 29203

  Help here

  • Substance use treatment and assessmentResidents can receive assessments and treatment for alcohol or drug use.
  Call 803-726-9300DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on lradac.org

Everything in Richland County

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