Sumter
Ask about Sumter
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Sumter and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Sumter
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office · State office
Sumter County Department of Social Services
115 N. Harvin Street, Sumter, SC 29150
Help here
- State benefits and family servicesVisit the state social services office for help with benefits and family services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dss.sc.gov
Housing authority · City office
Housing Authority of the City of Sumter
15 Caldwell Street, Sumter, SC 29151
Help here
- Public housingApply for affordable public housing when applications are open.Apply online
- Housing Choice VoucherAsk about applying for a voucher to help pay rent in a privately owned home.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sumterha.org
Utilities · City office
Utility Billing
130 S. Harvin Street, Sumter, SC 29150
Help here
- Utility accounts and billsStart or stop water service, pay a city utility bill, or ask about water, sanitation, stormwater, and wastewater charges.Apply online
- Water bill assistance informationFind out how to apply for short-term help with a water bill through Sumter United Ministries.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sumtersc.gov
Jobs and training · State office
SC Works Sumter
31 E. Calhoun Street, Sumter, SC 29150
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesGet help finding work, training, and other employment services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on scworks.org
State office · State office
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, Sumter
430 S. Pike Street, Sumter, SC 29150
Help here
- Driver licensingVisit this branch for driver license services and tests offered at the Sumter office.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.sc.gov
Library · County office
Sumter County Library System, Downtown Branch
111 N. Harvin Street, Sumter, SC 29150
Help here
- Library servicesUse library collections and services at the downtown branch.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sumtercountylibrary.org
Local office · City office
City Hall
21 N. Main Street, Sumter, SC 29150
Help here
- City customer serviceContact the city about a service or ask to be directed to the right department.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sumtersc.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
City Parks and Recreation
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind city parks, swimming, tennis, and recreation activities.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sumtersc.gov
City of Sumter, South Carolina website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Sumter
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
Harvest Hope Food Bank
2220 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201
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
Wateree Community Actions, Inc.
201 Columbia Mall Blvd Ste 91, Columbia, SC 29223
Listed on oeo.sc.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Sumter County
Sumter is in Sumter County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · State office
Sumter County Department of Social Services
105 N. Magnolia St., Sumter, SC 29151
Help here
- Public benefits and family supportVisit or contact DSS to ask about benefits and support for families.Apply online
- Child supportDSS helps establish, change, and enforce child support orders.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dss.sc.gov
Child support · State office
South Carolina Child Support Services, Florence Regional Office
2120 W. Jody Road, Suite D, Florence, SC 29503
Help here
- Child support servicesThe regional office serves Sumter County and helps establish, change, and enforce child support orders.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dss.sc.gov
Housing authority · Regional office
Housing Authority of the City of Sumter
15 Caldwell St., Sumter, SC 29151
Help here
- Public housingApply for affordable apartments managed by the housing authority.Apply online
- Housing Choice VoucherAsk about help paying rent in a privately owned home in Sumter County.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sumterha.org
Public health · State office
Sumter County Health Department
407 N. Salem Ave., Sumter, SC 29150
Help here
- Public health servicesThe health department offers vaccines, family planning, WIC, and other public health services.Read more
- WICWIC provides healthy food and nutrition support to eligible families with young children.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dph.sc.gov
Mental health and recovery · Nonprofit
Sumter Behavioral Health Services
755 Electric Drive, Sumter, SC 29153
Help here
- Behavioral health and substance use treatmentThe center offers mental health and substance use treatment and support.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sumterbhs.org
Older adults · Regional office
Santee-Lynches Area Agency on Aging
39 E. Calhoun St., Sumter, SC 29150
Help here
- Aging and disability resourcesThe agency connects older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers with information and support services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santeelynchescog.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
- United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties
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