Gainesville
Ask about Gainesville
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Gainesville and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Gainesville
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
Customer Service / Utilities
200 S. Rusk St., Gainesville, TX 76240
Help here
- Water service and utility billsVisit Customer Service to start water service, ask about a utility bill, or make a payment.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on gainesville.tx.us
Local office · City office
City Hall
200 S. Rusk St., Gainesville, TX 76240
Help here
- City services and resident helpContact City Hall for help with city departments, services, or general questions.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on gainesville.tx.us
Older adults · Nonprofit
Stanford House Senior Activity Center
401 W. Garnett St., Gainesville, TX 76240
Help here
- Senior activitiesOlder adults can visit the center for senior activities and community programs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on stanfordhouse.org
Jobs and training · Regional office
Workforce Solutions Texoma, Cooke Center
1311 N. Grand Ave., Suite 200, Gainesville, TX 76240
Help here
- Job search and career helpJob seekers can get help finding work, exploring careers, and accessing training resources.
- Child care assistanceFamilies can ask the center about help paying for child care.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on workforcesolutionstexoma.com
State office
Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Office
206 W. California St., Gainesville, TX 76240
Help here
- Driver license and identification card servicesVisit the office by appointment to apply for or renew a Texas driver license or ID card.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on dps.texas.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
Gainesville Civic Center
311 S. Weaver St., Gainesville, TX 76240
Help here
- Community meetings and activitiesResidents can use the Civic Center for public meetings and community activities.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on gainesville.tx.us
City of Gainesville, Texas website
Checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Gainesville
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
Tarrant Area Food Bank
2600 Cullen, Ft. Worth, TX 76107
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 NorthWest Texas
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
Texoma Council of Governments
1117 Gallagher Dr, Sherman, TX 75090-1797
Listed on tdhca.texas.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Cooke County
Gainesville is in Cooke County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Local office · Regional office
2-1-1 Texas
Help here
- Help finding local servicesCall 2-1-1 to find local help with food, housing, health care, jobs, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211texas.org
Older adults · Regional office
Area Agency on Aging of Texoma
Help here
- Aging and disability servicesGet help with benefits counseling, care coordination, caregiver support, meals, and long-term care concerns.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tcog.com
Emergency help · County office
Cooke County Emergency Management
301 S Chestnut, Gainesville, TX 76240
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and recoveryGet information about preparing for disasters and help finding recovery resources.
- Emergency notificationsGet help signing up for county alerts about urgent threats and safety issues.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on co.cooke.tx.us
Jobs and training · Regional office
Workforce Solutions Texoma, Cooke County
1311 N Grand Ave, Suite 200, Gainesville, TX 76240
Help here
- Job and workforce helpCall for help with job search, training, and other workforce services in Cooke County.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on workforcesolutionstexoma.com
Library · County office
Cooke County Library
200 S Weaver St, Gainesville, TX 76240
Help here
- Public library servicesUse library materials, public computers, internet access, and other library services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cookecountylibrary.org
Texas programs by kind of help
These are run by Texas 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
- 2-1-1 Texas
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 2-1-1 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988