Portsmouth
Ask about Portsmouth
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Portsmouth and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Portsmouth
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Portsmouth Department of Social Services
1701 High Street, Suite 101, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Help here
- Benefits and family supportApply for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care help, and emergency assistance.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portsmouthva.gov
State office
Portsmouth WIC Clinic
1701 High Street, 1st Floor, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportWIC offers nutrition help, breastfeeding support, and food benefits to eligible pregnant people, infants, and children under five.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on vdh.virginia.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority
3116 South Street, Portsmouth, VA 23707
Help here
- Affordable housing and rental assistanceApply for public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher and ask about affordable housing options.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on prha.org
Local office · State office
211 Virginia
Help here
- Community resource referralCall 211 to find local help with housing, food, health care, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211virginia.org
Public health · State office
Portsmouth Health Department
1701 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information about clinics, immunizations, disease prevention, and other local public health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on vdh.virginia.gov
Mental health and recovery · City office
Portsmouth Behavioral Healthcare Services
1811 King Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Help here
- Behavioral health careGet mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services and crisis support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portsmouthva.gov
Courts and legal help · City office
Portsmouth Public Law Library
601 Court Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Help here
- Legal information resourcesUse public legal research resources and get help finding legal information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on vacourts.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia
2551 Eltham Avenue, Suite Q, Norfolk, VA 23513
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportAsk about services and support for older adults and caregivers in Isle of Wight County.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ssseva.org
Veterans · State office
Virginia Department of Veterans Services Portsmouth Office
620 John Paul Jones Circle, Building 3, 7th Floor, Portsmouth, VA 23708
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help understanding and applying for veterans benefits and services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dvs.virginia.gov
State office
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Portsmouth Office
601 Port Centre Parkway, Suite 100, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Help here
- Disability employment servicesGet help preparing for, finding, and keeping a job if you have a disability.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dars.virginia.gov
Emergency help · City office
Portsmouth Emergency Management
Help here
- Emergency preparednessFind guidance to prepare for emergencies and information during local incidents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portsmouthva.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Virginia Works Portsmouth Workforce Center
4010-C Victory Boulevard, Portsmouth, VA 23701
Help here
- Job and workforce servicesGet help finding a job, building work skills, and connecting with workforce services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on virginiaworks.gov
State office
Portsmouth DMV Customer Service Center
6400 Bickford Parkway, Portsmouth, VA 23703
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or ID and complete vehicle services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.virginia.gov
Library · City office
Portsmouth Public Library
601 Court Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Help here
- Library and legal research resourcesGet a library card, borrow materials, use research resources, and access legal information tools.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portsmouthva.gov
City of Portsmouth, Virginia website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Portsmouth, closest to the center of Portsmouth first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Ghent Area Ministry
3.5 miles from the center of Portsmouth1301 Colonial Ave, Norfolk, VA 23517
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 2 PM
- Tue10 AM to 2 PM
- Wed10 AM to 2 PM
- Thu10 AM to 2 PM
- Fri10 AM to 2 PM
Who can come: Norfolk’s marginalized, transitional, low-income and homeless residents
Listed on gamhelpsnorfolk.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Saint Paul's Mobile Pantry
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
4 miles from the center of Portsmouth698 Saint Pauls Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23510
Hours
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM (4th of the month)
Listed on foodbankonline.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Queen Street Baptist Church Pantry
Queen Street Baptist Church
4 miles from the center of Portsmouth413 E Brambleton Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Hours
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM (1st of the month). Grocery bags when available
Listed on foodbankonline.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Queen Street Baptist Church Soup Kitchen
Queen Street Baptist Church
4 miles from the center of Portsmouth413 E Brambleton Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Hours
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM (2nd and 3rd of the month)
Listed on foodbankonline.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
First Baptist Church Norfolk
4 miles from the center of Portsmouth418 E Bute St, Norfolk, VA 23510
Hours
- Tue4 PM to 5:30 PM
- Sat10 AM to 12 PM
Listed on foodbankonline.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Young Terrace Community Center
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
4.1 miles from the center of Portsmouth804 Whitaker Ln, Norfolk, VA 23510
Hours
- Thu1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Listed on foodbankonline.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Portsmouth
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
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
800 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23504
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 Society of Eastern Virginia
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
STOP Inc.
1400 Crossways Blvd., Suite 102, Chesapeake, VA 23320
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Portsmouth
Virginia programs by kind of help
These are run by Virginia 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 - 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
- 211 Virginia
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