Local help in St. Petersburg
Numbers to report a scam, reach elder services, get free tech help, or talk through a suspicious offer. When in doubt, call one of these — never a number a stranger gives you.
FTC — ReportFraud.gov
Report a scam, a fake message, or money lost to fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
Federal. Reports help investigators spot patterns.
Florida Attorney General Fraud Hotline
Report scams and consumer fraud that happened in Florida.
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas
Connects older adults and caregivers to local help — meals, care, and benefits.
Elder Helpline for Pinellas County.
Florida Elder Abuse Hotline
Report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an older adult.
St. Petersburg Public Library — Tech Help
Free, patient help with phones, tablets, and computers from library staff.
Call your nearest branch for one-on-one appointment times.
Senior Planet Tech Hotline (OATS/AARP)
Free phone help and classes for older adults learning technology.
AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline
Talk through a suspicious offer or possible financial scam with a trained volunteer.
Medicare — Report Fraud
Report suspected Medicare fraud or a caller pretending to be from Medicare.
Medicare will never call to ask for your number or payment.
Sunshine Center (St. Petersburg Senior Center)
A free place for adults 50 and over to socialize, take fitness and art classes, get health screenings, and connect to local resources.
330 5th St. N, St. Petersburg. Open to ages 50 and over. Centre open Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m., closed weekends. Fitness centre Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunset Avenue Cafe Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (Pinellas & Pasco)
Free help for someone living in a nursing home or assisted living facility who has a complaint about their care, safety, or rights.
Local office covers Pasco and Pinellas counties. Statewide line: 1-888-831-0404.
National Elder Fraud Hotline (U.S. Dept. of Justice)
Talk to a case manager if you or someone you know (60+) lost money to a scam. They help you report it and figure out next steps.
Open 7 days a week. Help is available in English, Spanish, and other languages.
Cyber-Seniors
Free one-on-one phone tech help and online classes for older adults learning phones, tablets, and computers.
National nonprofit program; help available in English, Spanish, and French. Hours: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. ET, weekdays.
SHINE Medicare Counseling
Talk with a trained volunteer, for free, about your Medicare choices and health insurance questions. Counselors do not sell insurance.
Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE), a Florida Department of Elder Affairs program.
Meals on Wheels of Pinellas (Neighborly Care Network)
Have a hot or frozen meal delivered to your door, plus a friendly wellness check, if you are 60 or older.
For adults 60+ in Pinellas County. ⚠️ There is a WAITING LIST for the subsidised meals — no longer than about 30 days (confirmed by phone, Sep 2026). Ask to be put on it, and if you need food sooner, see Meals On Wheels St. Petersburg, which serves people waiting for or not eligible for this programme.
PSTA Senior Reduced Bus Fare
Ride the bus for less. Riders 65 and older — and Medicare cardholders of any age — pay a reduced fare by showing ID or using a registered Flamingo Fares card.
Reduced fare $1.10 per ride, with a $2.50 daily maximum and a $42.50 cap per calendar month. Show a PSTA-issued or government photo ID when boarding, or register a Flamingo Fares card — you can do that at any PSTA Customer Service Center. Medicare cardholders qualify regardless of age.
Florida Senior Legal Helpline (Bay Area Legal Services)
Free phone legal advice for Florida residents 60 and older on civil matters like wills, power of attorney, housing, and benefits.
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Income guidelines may apply.
Emergency Energy Bill Assistance (EHEAP / LIHEAP)
Help paying a past-due electric or gas bill, including emergency help when service is about to be shut off.
Priority given to seniors, people with disabilities, and households with young children.
Gulfcoast Legal Services
Free legal help for Pinellas County residents, with priority given to adults 60 and older. Covers elder law, consumer problems, and public benefits.
501 1st Ave N, Suite 420, St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg Office on Aging
Talk with a city staff member who can point you to local help — meals, in-home care, caregiver support, and other senior programs.
A division of the City of St. Petersburg's Parks and Recreation Department.
Pinellas County Senior Homestead Exemption
Lower your property tax bill if you are 65 or older, have lived in your home 25+ years, and meet the income limit.
Contact the Pinellas County Property Appraiser to apply.
AARP Smart Driver Course
Take a driving safety class made for drivers 50 and older. Finishing it may qualify you for a discount on your auto insurance.
Local class held at Gulfport Senior Center; the course is also available online. Ask your insurance agent if you qualify for a discount.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
File an online report with the FBI about an internet scam, online fraud, or cybercrime.
Online reports only — there is no phone line. Reports help the FBI track scam patterns.
Florida Insurance Consumer Helpline
Get help with an insurance problem, or report an insurance scam or an agent you don't trust, from the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Run by the Florida Chief Financial Officer's office.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
Get your taxes prepared and filed for free by a trained volunteer. Made for people 50 and older, or anyone with a low to moderate income. You do not need to be an AARP member.
Open during tax season, roughly February through mid-April. Call or use the website to find a nearby location.
St. Petersburg Senior Tech Forum
Get free, friendly help with your phone, tablet, or computer at a class made just for seniors.
Held at the Sunshine Senior Center, 330 5th St. N. Free; calling ahead to register is encouraged. Run by the City of St. Petersburg's Healthy St. Pete program.
PSTA Access Paratransit
Book a door-to-door van ride if a disability or health condition makes it hard to ride the regular bus.
Call to request an application. Approval involves a phone consultation and can take a few weeks. Serves all of Pinellas County.
Pinellas County Veterans Services
Get free, one-on-one help applying for VA disability, pension, and other veterans benefits.
St. Petersburg office: 501 1st Ave. N, Suite 514, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–noon and 1–5 p.m. Also has a Clearwater office.
Pinellas County Consumer Protection
Report a scam involving a local business, or a caller pretending to be from a Pinellas County office, and get help with a consumer complaint.
A division of Pinellas County Human Services.
Pinellas County Prescription Drug Discount Card
Get a free discount card to save money on prescriptions not covered by insurance, at most major pharmacies.
Open to all Pinellas County residents, no income limit, no membership fee. Program questions can also go to Pinellas County Human Services at 727-464-4200.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office — Non-Emergency Line
Call to report a scam or suspicious call, or to check whether a call claiming to be from a deputy or the Sheriff's Office is real. For an emergency, call 911 instead.
For crimes that are not in progress and for general information. The Sheriff's Office warns that scammers regularly spoof this exact number on caller ID and pose as deputies demanding money for a missed-jury-duty warrant — the agency says it will never call, text, or email asking for money or bank details.
St. Petersburg Housing Authority — Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
Get help paying rent through a housing voucher. The program gives priority to seniors and people with disabilities who have very low income.
Office hours Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.–noon. Waiting lists for vouchers are common and sometimes closed to new applicants — call or check the website for current status before applying.
Social Security Administration — St. Petersburg Field Office
Book an appointment to ask about your Social Security benefits in person, or call to check whether a call, text, or letter claiming to be from Social Security is real.
Local office: 30 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. Most visits now need an appointment — call 1-866-613-3965 or 1-800-772-1213 to book one. Social Security will never threaten you or ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
First Contact (211 Tampa Bay Cares)
Call 211 any time, day or night, to get connected to local help — including senior services, food, housing, utility bills, and crisis support.
Formerly called 211 Tampa Bay Cares. Free, 24/7 call center. If 211 doesn't connect, try the direct line 727-210-4211. Search results describe it as one of the main 'front doors' to Pinellas senior services, alongside the Elder Helpline listed above.
Gulf Coast JFCS — Older Americans Act Counseling Program
Free counseling for adults 60 and older in Pasco or Pinellas County — one-on-one at home or at a senior center, or in a group — for grief, depression, memory worries, or just extra support. Open to everyone, not only Jewish families.
No cost. Toll-free: 1-800-888-5066. General Gulf Coast JFCS line: 727-479-1800. Search results state the agency serves people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Lifeline Phone & Internet Discount
Get a discount on your monthly phone or internet bill — sometimes a free phone — if you have Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, or a low income. A working phone matters for reaching help in an emergency.
A federal program regulated by the FCC, run by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Apply only at lifelinesupport.org or by calling the number above — many look-alike commercial sites advertise this program; use the official site to avoid a scam or a bad plan.
FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors (HELPS)
Call if you have a question or a worry about a brokerage account, an investment, or a financial advisor. Free help from real people at the securities industry's independent regulator — not a sales line.
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern Time. Launched in 2015; FINRA reports it has helped recover more than $9 million for investors since then.
IdentityTheft.gov (FTC)
If someone stole your identity — opened an account, filed taxes, or used your Social Security number — get a free, step-by-step recovery plan from the Federal Trade Commission.
Free. Different from the ReportFraud.gov entry above: use this one specifically for identity theft, to get a personal recovery plan with pre-filled letters you can print or save to an account.
Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline
Free, confidential help any time of day or night for anyone living with memory loss, or their family and caregivers. Talk to a real person, find local support, or get help during a crisis.
Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Help is available in more than 200 languages through bilingual staff and interpreters. The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter covers the Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas County.
National Do Not Call Registry
Sign your phone number up, for free, to cut down on unwanted sales calls. It will not stop scam calls, which already break the law, but it stops most legitimate telemarketers within about a month.
Free. Call from the phone number you want to register, or sign up online — registration never expires. Legitimate sales calls can take up to 31 days to stop; if they don't, you can file a complaint at the same number or website.
Eldercare Locator
Talk to a real person to get connected to local services for older adults anywhere in the country — meals, transportation, housing, benefits, and more.
Run by the U.S. Administration on Aging. Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern Time. Live text chat is also available during those hours.
Suncoast PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
Get medical care, therapy, meals, transportation, and adult day care so you can keep living safely at home instead of moving to a nursing home — for Pinellas County residents 55 and older who need nursing-home-level care.
A state nurse must certify that you need nursing-home-level care. Fully covered if you have both Medicare and Medicaid; a fee applies if you do not have Medicaid. A member of Empath Health, with a day center in St. Petersburg.
Seniors vs. Crime (Florida Attorney General)
Get free help from trained volunteers, many of them seniors themselves, if a business or scammer has treated you unfairly. They investigate complaints and have helped Florida seniors recover millions of dollars.
A special project of the Florida Attorney General's Office, run by volunteer 'Senior Sleuths' since 1989. This is the statewide information and complaint line; use the website's 'Project Offices' page to find the nearest Tampa Bay-area office.
NCOA BenefitsCheckUp
Answer a few questions online, free and private, to see which benefit programs you may qualify for — help paying for groceries, medicine, health care, and more.
Run by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Covers nearly 2,000 federal, state, and local programs. Phone help available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Eastern Time. Also available in Spanish at BuscaBeneficios.org.
Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg — Senior Services
Get help connecting to services as an older adult, including applying for food stamps and other assistance. Also runs affordable apartment communities for adults 62 and older.
Ask for senior services when you call. Open to people of all faiths, not just Catholics. Serves Pinellas and four other counties. Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Neighborly Transportation (EZ Ride)
Book a ride to a doctor's appointment, an adult day center, or a senior center if you are 60 or older. Also offers free group shopping trips.
Call and select option 1 to book a ride. Riders must pre-register and typically book trips 5 days to 3 weeks ahead. Rides cover medical appointments up to about 10 miles away, or the nearest senior center. A different program from Meals on Wheels of Pinellas above, though both are run by Neighborly Care Network — an inquiry line, 727-573-9444 ext. 4210, also reaches this program.
Neighborly Senior Cafés (Congregate Meal Program)
Join other adults 60 and older for a free lunch, conversation, and activities like games, exercise, or karaoke at one of several cafés around Pinellas County.
Activities usually start around 11 a.m., with lunch at noon. Some locations offer transportation. This is a different Neighborly program from Meals on Wheels of Pinellas above (home-delivered meals) — search results give it the SAME main number as that entry, 727-573-9444, so it is deliberately left out of `phone` here to avoid two different purposes pointing at one unverified number. Call that number, or use the website, to find the café nearest you and schedule a first visit as a guest.
AARP Foundation SCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment Program)
Get paid, part-time job training if you are 55 or older, unemployed, and have a low income. You train at a local nonprofit or public agency — like a school, senior center, or day care — while looking for permanent work.
Pinellas Park office: 7800 66th St. N, Suite 301, Pinellas Park. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor; open to people 55+ with income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guideline. National help line: 1-855-850-2525, weekdays 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Eastern Time.
Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay
Get free critical home repairs — like a leaking roof, unsafe steps, or a broken heater — if you own your home and have a low income. Priority is given to seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Based in Tampa; several independent listings describe the service area as covering Citrus, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties. Homeowners generally must have household income at or below 120% of the area median income. Apply by phone or through the website.
Caregiver Support Program (Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas)
Free help for someone caring for a family member or friend age 60 or older — education, supplies, and a break through respite care so the caregiver can rest.
Run by the same agency as the Elder Helpline (aaa-pinellas) listed above; the Elder Helpline number 1-800-963-5337 also reaches this program. A Health & Wellness Coordinator can be reached directly for caregiver classes at 727-570-9696 ext. 163.
VITA Free Tax Preparation (United Way Suncoast)
Get your taxes prepared and filed for free by an IRS-certified volunteer if your household earns about $67,000 a year or less. A different free program from AARP Tax-Aide above, with its own local site.
Local site at Daystar Life Center, 1055 28th St. S, St. Petersburg. Open during tax season only, roughly February through mid-April. Call ahead for an appointment.
Lighthouse of Pinellas
Free training and support for someone who is blind or losing their vision — help with daily tasks, using a cane safely, and using a phone or computer with low vision.
Based in Largo; serves Pinellas County. The Independent Living Program is designed with adults 55 and older in mind, though any visually impaired adult may apply. Ask an eye doctor for a referral, or call directly.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of Florida (DHHSF)
Borrow equipment at no cost if you are deaf or hard of hearing — like an amplified phone, or a flashing signal for the doorbell or smoke alarm — for as long as you need it.
Videophone: 727-478-0217. A regional distribution center serving Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough counties. Equipment is loaned at no cost, with no income requirement and no time limit. You must be a permanent Florida resident and have hearing loss certified by an audiologist, hearing aid specialist or physician. The office is in New Port Richey; ask about mail delivery.
Senior Companion Program (Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay)
Ask for a free, friendly volunteer to visit a homebound older adult regularly — for company, help with small chores, and a wellness check-in.
Serves Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. A different program from Meals on Wheels' delivery wellness checks above — this is a recurring in-home visit, not a meal drop-off.
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Pinellas (Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay)
Volunteer opportunities for adults 55 and older who want to stay active and connected — tutoring, helping with tax prep, food programs, and more, on your own schedule.
Free to join. A federally funded program (AmeriCorps Seniors) aimed at combating isolation by giving older adults a flexible way to stay engaged in the community.
Florida Unclaimed Property (FLTreasureHunt.gov)
Search for free to see if the state is holding forgotten money in your name — from an old bank account, uncashed check, or insurance payout — and claim it. The real search and claim are always free.
Run by the Florida Department of Financial Services. Roughly 1 in 5 Floridians has unclaimed property waiting. Be careful of a caller or letter demanding a fee to 'release' your money first — that is a common scam version of this real, free program.
YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg — Fall Prevention Programs
Take a class or exercise program made to lower your risk of a fall — including a fall-risk screening plus two 2-hour workshops on home safety, footwear, and balance, for adults 65 and older.
Two programs: 'Healthy Steps for Older Adults' (the screening and two workshops, described as at no charge for adults 65+) and 'Enhance Fitness' (an ongoing strength-and-balance exercise class). Healthy Steps is free and does not require a YMCA membership (next session listed: Speer YMCA). Enhance Fitness runs at the YMCA at Lealman Exchange and the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA; its cost is not stated, so ask before assuming it is free.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Complaint Line
Get free help with a problem involving a bank, a loan, a credit report, or a debt collector — including one you think may be unfair or a scam. Complaints go to a federal watchdog agency.
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Eastern Time (not federal holidays). TTY/TDD: 1-855-729-2372. The CFPB's Office for Older Americans focuses specifically on issues affecting older consumers.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office — SafetyNet Tracking Program
Get a tracking bracelet for a loved one with Alzheimer's, dementia, or autism who might wander off, so deputies can find them fast if they go missing.
Registration is free. Search results describe a one-time equipment fee of about $300 for the bracelet, batteries, and a year of wristbands, but also mention free bracelets for qualifying low-income families — confirm which applies before publishing. Program info/enrollment: CPOPrograms@pcsonet.com. If someone wearing a bracelet goes missing, call 911 right away, not this number.
Florida Silver Alert
If someone 60 or older with dementia or another condition that affects their thinking goes missing, call 911 or your local police right away. They decide whether to issue a Silver Alert to get the public looking for them too.
Call 911 or your local law enforcement agency first to report someone missing — they decide whether a Silver Alert is appropriate, not the state directly. The 1-888 number reaches the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse for general information, not to report an active disappearance.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 any time, day or night, if you are feeling hopeless, deeply lonely, or just need someone to talk to. Free and confidential — you do not have to be in a suicidal crisis to call.
Free, confidential, and available 24/7. Florida-based crisis counselors answer calls placed from Florida. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org. A videophone option is available for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language.
Suncoast Housing Connections (formerly Tampa Bay CDC)
Talk to a free, HUD-approved housing counselor before you sign anything about a reverse mortgage, or if you have fallen behind on your mortgage and are worried about losing your home.
Serves Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties. Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Recently renamed from Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation (Tampa Bay CDC) — same organization, same phone number, new name, so a senior who was given the old name should still be able to find it.
Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College (ASPEC)
Join a community of retired and semi-retired adults for classes, discussion groups, and social activities — more than 40 interest groups covering everything from computers to Tai Chi.
Lewis House, 4200 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg. A membership program (annual dues apply) for retired and semi-retired professionals; confirm current dues and any age requirement by phone.
Pinellas Talking Book Library
Borrow audio books, braille books, large-print books, and a free player, by mail, if trouble seeing or holding a book makes regular reading hard.
Free for residents of Pinellas and Sarasota counties with a visual, physical, or learning disability, of any age. Books, players, and return postage are all free. Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Located at 1330 Cleveland St, Clearwater.
My Safe Florida Home Program
Get a free home inspection and possibly a matching grant of up to $10,000 to add hurricane shutters, a stronger roof, or impact windows and doors. Florida's current funding round gives priority to homeowners 60 and older.
Run by the Florida Department of Financial Services. For a site-built home valued at $500,000 or less with wind insurance. The current cycle prioritizes lower-income applicants and homeowners 60+, but funding is limited and applications can pause when funds run out — call or check the website for current status. Call Center 850-427-2559; the program’s older information sheets also list a toll-free line, 1-866-513-6734. ⚠️ This program is a common scam target: the real inspection is free, and nobody legitimate will ask you to pay to apply or to “hold” a grant.
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System — Geriatrics and Extended Care
Get medical care made for older veterans — including home care, adult day health care, and nursing home care — through the VA.
Main line. To make or change an appointment: VA Health Connect 877-741-3400. 10000 Bay Pines Blvd, Bay Pines, FL 33744. You generally need to already be an enrolled VA patient; ask your primary care team for a referral to Geriatrics and Extended Care.
BBB Scam Tracker (Better Business Bureau Serving West Florida)
Report a scam online, or look up whether a scam you are seeing has been reported by others. The BBB shares reports with government agencies and police.
Free, online form only. No phone number was found for scam reports.
Enoch Davis Center (City of St. Petersburg)
A community center in south St. Petersburg with exercise classes for seniors, a weekday group lunch, and on-site help such as legal aid and utility bill assistance.
1111 18th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Group lunch line: 727-823-4442. Open Mon–Thu 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m., closed weekends. Your first class is free. Call for class times.
Florida Operation S.A.F.E. (Stop Adult Financial Exploitation)
Learn how to spot common scams that target Florida seniors and find out where to report fraud, from the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Free videos and scam-spotting tips, plus a page listing where to report fraud: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/safe/report-fraud-and-scams
Chore Services (Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas)
Get help with heavy household jobs you can't do safely yourself, if you are 60 or older and live in Pinellas County. Call to set up a visit to see what you qualify for.
Toll-free: 1-800-963-5337. Pinellas Opportunity Council used to run this program; it moved to the Area Agency on Aging on January 1, 2024, so older listings may show the wrong agency.
Trinity Cafe at Feeding Pinellas (Feeding Tampa Bay)
Get a free, hot, sit-down or to-go meal. You do not need to sign up first. The same center can help you apply for SNAP food benefits.
6330 54th Ave N, St. Petersburg. Meal service Mon–Fri 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Walk-ins Mon–Thu 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Friday by appointment. For everyone in need, not only seniors.
St. Petersburg Police — Victim Assistance Unit
Talk to a victim specialist if you or an older person you know was scammed or abused in St. Petersburg. They explain what happens next and connect you to help.
1301 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg. Victim Assistance Specialist: 727-603-1319. Police non-emergency line: 727-893-7780. For an emergency, call 911.
Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center
A place for adults 50 and over to take classes, exercise, make friends, and get practical help like health screenings, a food pantry, and a daily check-in call.
5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. Open Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Membership is FREE for Gulfport residents and $100 a year for everyone else (most St. Petersburg residents). Offers a fitness center, blood pressure and memory screening, exercise classes, computer classes, a food pantry, support groups, a medical equipment loan program, and a daily check-in phone call. GEMS rides are for residents 65+.
The Salvation Army — St. Petersburg Emergency Help
Get help paying a power, gas, or water bill if you have a shut-off notice.
340 14th Ave. S., St. Petersburg (main line 727-550-8080). Funds are limited and are usually available once every 12 months. Call first to ask what papers to bring.
ACCESS Florida (Food Help and Medicaid)
Apply for food help (SNAP), Medicaid, and cash help from the state of Florida, online or by phone.
Run by the Florida Department of Children and Families. TTY: 1-800-955-8771. If you need help filling out the form, ask the Elder Helpline or a senior center.
PSTA Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program
Low-cost bus passes, taxi rides, or wheelchair-van rides for Pinellas County residents with low income who have no other way to get to important trips.
State-funded. You must live in Pinellas County, be unable to get a ride from someone in your household, and have household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($31,920 a year for one person in 2026). Passes are $5 for 10 days or $11 for 31 days, and riders in St. Petersburg get free bus rides for work, health care and other essential trips. Bring proof of income; approval takes about two weeks. Email TD@psta.net. Ask for a TD application at a PSTA Customer Service Center or call PSTA customer service at 727-540-1900.
St. Petersburg College Senior Tuition Waiver
Take college classes for free, just to learn, if you are 60 or older and have lived in Florida for at least a year.
Classes are taken as "audit" (no credit), for up to six credit hours, if there is room. You still apply to the college and pay its non-refundable application fee, plus any lab and book fees. You must register during the published senior-citizen registration dates — register earlier and you lose the waiver. Bring proof you have lived in Florida for 12 months. Financial Aid: 727-341-4772.
Pinellas Park Senior Center
A city senior center with classes, activities, and events for adults 50 and older.
7625 59th St. N, Pinellas Park. Programs are for adults 50 and over with a current Rec ID card. Listed hours: Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.–noon, closed Sunday.
Clearwater Aging Well Center
A city center with health programs, classes, and activities that help older adults stay healthy and connected.
Inside The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Rd, Clearwater. For adults 50 and older. Listed hours: Mon–Thu 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Fri 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., closed weekends.
Pinellas County Human Services
Ask the county about help with emergency money needs and the Pinellas County Health Program for adults with low income and no health insurance.
St. Petersburg office: 647 First Ave. N. Also a Clearwater office at 2189 Cleveland St., Suite 263 (Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–noon and 1–5 p.m.). Email: humansvs@pinellas.gov.
Pinellas County Special Needs Evacuation Program
Sign up now so the county can get you a ride to a shelter, and check on you, if a hurricane evacuation is ordered and you need help getting out or have medical needs.
Run by Pinellas County Emergency Management. Call and ask for a registration form to be mailed to you. If you change your mind during an evacuation, call the County Information Center at 727-464-4333. You must answer the county's yearly check-in call or you may be removed from the list.
Evara Health — Johnnie Ruth Clarke Center (formerly Community Health Centers of Pinellas)
A community health center in St. Petersburg where you can see a doctor, dentist, or pharmacist even if you have little or no insurance. Fees are based on your income.
1344 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. Takes Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured patients. Ask about the sliding-fee discount when you call.
Medicare Extra Help (Social Security)
Get help paying your Medicare drug plan's premiums, deductibles, and copays if your income and savings are limited.
Run by Social Security. You can apply online, by mail, or by calling. You may get it automatically if you have full Medicaid, help with Medicare premiums, or SSI. For free one-on-one help applying, SHINE counselors can also screen you (Elder Helpline 1-800-963-5337).
Community Dental Clinic (Pinellas County)
Get free dental care — cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, and dentures — if you live in Pinellas County, have no dental insurance, and have a low income.
1390 S. Missouri Ave., Clearwater. Free — the clinic does not take payment or dental insurance. For low-income adults (18 and older) in Pinellas County who have no dental insurance; not only for seniors. No walk-ins — call to enroll and make an appointment. Open Monday–Friday.
Medicare Rights Center — National Helpline
Free help with Medicare questions: choosing a plan, a denied claim, an appeal, or a bill you do not understand.
National nonprofit. Counselors answer Monday through Friday. Spanish speakers can press 8.
Florida Consumer Protection Hotline (1-800-HELP-FLA)
Report a scam or a business that treated you unfairly, or ask if an offer is real, with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Same number as 1-800-HELP-FLA. Spanish: 1-800-352-9832 (1-800-FL-AYUDA). State agency, separate from the Attorney General and the Insurance helpline listed here.
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas — St. Petersburg Health Center
Get vaccines such as the yearly flu shot and other low-cost public health services close to home.
205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. Open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Call first to make an appointment. Bring a photo ID and any old vaccine records. Adult vaccines cost money and the health department does not bill insurance, so ask the price when you call.
OLLI at USF St. Petersburg (Lifelong Learning for 50+)
Join classes, talks, and social groups for adults 50 and older. A good way to learn new things and meet people.
140 7th Ave S, Bay 218, St. Petersburg. Email: OLLI-inquiries@usf.edu. Classes started in St. Petersburg in spring 2025. You can sign up for classes whether or not you are a member. Ask about the cost.
Clearwater Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Get matched with a lawyer for a first short meeting if you need legal help with a will, a scam, or an elder law problem.
Serves Pinellas County. Call Monday–Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. A first meeting of up to 30 minutes with the lawyer they match you to costs $50 (paid to the referral service, not refundable). There is an elder law panel. Free options for seniors are listed separately here.
Florida Poison Control Center
Call any time, day or night, if you took the wrong medicine or too much, or if a child got into your pills. Free and private.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The same number reaches your local poison center anywhere in the U.S. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 first.
Auer Szabo Empath Adult Day Center
A safe daytime program for adults who need some help during the day. Offers meals, activities, and therapy, and gives family caregivers a break.
340 49th St. S, St. Petersburg. Open Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Built with veterans in mind, but open to adults 18 and older. Not free: paid by VA Community Care, private pay, or some insurance. Call to ask about cost and to schedule a tour.
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, private help any time, day or night, for veterans in a hard moment, and for family and friends who are worried about a veteran.
Dial 988, then press 1. You can also text 838255 or chat online. You do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care.
Medicare Savings Programs (help paying Medicare costs)
A state program that can pay your Medicare Part B premium if your income is low. Counselors can help you see if you qualify.
Apply through the Florida Department of Children and Families: call 866-762-2237 or apply online at ACCESS Florida. Free help checking whether you qualify is available from SHINE through the Elder Helpline: 1-800-963-5337.