Tacoma
Ask about Tacoma
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Tacoma and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Tacoma
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
State office
Pierce North Community Services Office
1949 South State Street, Tacoma, WA 98405
Help here
- Food and cash benefitsApply for food or cash benefits, complete an interview, or report a change in your benefits.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dshs.wa.gov
Housing help · City office
City of Tacoma Housing Division
747 Market Street, Tacoma, WA 98402
Help here
- Home repair and down payment assistanceEligible homeowners can ask about home repair and homebuyer assistance loans.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tacoma.gov
Housing help · City office
Tacoma Housing Authority
902 South L Street, Tacoma, WA 98405
Help here
- Affordable housing and supportThe authority provides housing and support services to people and families in need.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tacoma.gov
Utilities · City office
Tacoma Public Utilities Customer Services
3628 South 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409
Help here
- Utility bill assistanceAsk about utility payment assistance and help with your account.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mytpu.org
Local office · State office
Washington 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall to find local help with housing, food, utilities, health care, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on wa211.org
Local office · City office
Tacoma FIRST 311 Customer Support Center
747 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Tacoma, WA 98402
Help here
- City questions and service requestsContact the City with questions, reports, and requests for city services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tacoma.gov
Older adults · City office
Tacoma Senior Services
People’s Community Center, 1602 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 98405
Help here
- Programs and meals for older adultsTacoma residents age 50 and older can take part in programs, activities, and community meals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tacoma.gov
Jobs and training · State office
WorkSource Pierce One-Stop
2121 South State Street, Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98405
Help here
- Job search and employment servicesGet help with job searches, training, workshops, and employment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on worksource-pierce.org
Library · City office
Tacoma Public Library
1102 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma, WA 98402
Help here
- Library materials and programsVisit a library to use materials, programs, and other library services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tacomalibrary.org
Parks and recreation · Regional office
Parks Tacoma
4702 South 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind recreation programs, community centers, classes, and park information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on parkstacoma.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Tacoma first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Brooklake Church
6.6 miles from the center of Tacoma629 S 356th St, Federal Way, WA 98003
Hours
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun: times not listed, call first
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on data.seattle.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Pacific Islander Community Association
7.2 miles from the center of Tacoma33710 9th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Hours
- Thu: times not listed, call first
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on data.seattle.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Multi-Service Center
Federal Way Food Bank
7.4 miles from the center of Tacoma27614 Pacific Highway S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Hours
- Tue, Thu: times not listed, call first
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on data.seattle.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Church of the Good Shepherd Church
Federal Way Community Caregiving Network
7.8 miles from the center of Tacoma345 S 312th St, Federal Way, WA 98003
Hours
- Sat: times not listed, call first
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on data.seattle.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Christian Faith Center
Federal Way Community Caregiving Network
7.8 miles from the center of Tacoma33645 20th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Hours
- Mon: times not listed, call first
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on data.seattle.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
Federal Way Community Caregiving Network
7.8 miles from the center of Tacoma30525 8th Ave S, Federal Way WA 98003
Hours
- Sat: times not listed, call first
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on data.seattle.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Tacoma
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
Food Lifeline
815 South 96th Street, Seattle, WA 98108
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
Northwest Justice Project
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
Metropolitan Development Council
Serves City of Tacoma only
721 Fawcett Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Pierce County Department of Human Services
3602 Pacific Avenue, Suite 200, Tacoma, WA 98418
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Pierce County
Tacoma is in Pierce County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
State office
Pierce North Community Services Office
1949 S. State St., Tacoma, WA 98405
Help here
- Food and cash benefitsResidents can apply for food or cash benefits, complete interviews, and submit documents at this office.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dshs.wa.gov
State office
Pierce South Community Services Office
1301 E. 72nd St., Tacoma, WA 98404
Help here
- Food and cash benefitsResidents can apply for food or cash benefits, complete interviews, and submit documents at this office.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dshs.wa.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Pierce County Housing Authority
11515 Canyon Rd. E, Puyallup, WA 98373
Help here
- Housing assistanceThe housing authority provides public housing and housing choice voucher assistance to eligible residents outside Tacoma city limits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pchawa.org
Public health · Regional office
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
3629 S. D St., Tacoma, WA 98418
Help here
- Public health and family health servicesThe health department offers public health information, family health services, and connections to WIC and other resources.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tpchd.org
Jobs and training · State office
WorkSource Pierce One-Stop
2121 S. State St., Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98405
Help here
- Job search and training supportJob seekers can get help with job searches, training, workshops, and referrals to employment services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on worksource-pierce.org
Library · Regional office
Pierce County Library System
Help here
- Library servicesResidents can borrow books and other materials, use computers, and get help from library staff.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mypcls.org
Washington programs by kind of help
These are run by Washington 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
- Washington 211
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