Berkeley

Local offices in Berkeley

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Human services · City office

  Health, Housing, and Community Services Department

  2180 Milvia St, Berkeley, CA 94704

  Help here

  • Affordable housing and community servicesFind city housing programs and support for low-income or unhoused residents.Read more
  • Public health servicesFind city programs that support the health and well-being of Berkeley residents.Read more
  Call 510-981-5100DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkeleyca.gov

• Housing help · City office

  Berkeley Housing Authority

  1947 Center St, 5th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704

  Help here

  • Housing Choice Voucher assistanceLearn about housing vouchers and other rental assistance programs for eligible households.
  Call 510-679-2330DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on bha.berkeleyca.gov

• Housing help · Regional office

  North County Housing Resource Center

  2809 Telegraph Ave, Suite 202, Berkeley, CA 94705

  Help here

  • Housing intake and referralsPeople experiencing homelessness can get screened for housing help and referrals to services.
  Call 510-495-0131DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkeleyca.gov

• Utilities · City office

  Very Low Income Refunds

  Help here

  • Utility bill refundEligible very low-income residents may apply for a refund of certain utility charges they have paid.Apply online
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkeleyca.gov

• Older adults · City office

  Aging Services

  1901 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709

  Help here

  • Senior information and assistanceOlder adults and caregivers can get help finding local services and benefits.
  • Senior case managementOlder adults can ask for time-limited help with needs such as food, transportation, and health care referrals.
  Call 510-981-5200DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkeleyca.gov

• Local office · City office

  Berkeley City Hall and 311 Customer Service

  2180 Milvia St, Berkeley, CA 94704

  Help here

  • City information and service requestsCall or visit to ask about city services or report a problem.Read more
  Call 510-981-2489DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkeleyca.gov

• Library · City office

  Berkeley Public Library

  2090 Kittredge St, Berkeley, CA 94704

  Help here

  • Library servicesGet a library card, borrow books and media, use computers, or ask for reading help.Read more
  Call 510-981-6100DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkeleypubliclibrary.org

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Recreation Customer Service Hub

  1720 Eighth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

  Help here

  • Recreation programs and campsRegister for city recreation classes, camps, and activities for people of all ages.Apply onlineRead more
  • Recreation scholarshipsLow-income Berkeley residents can apply for help paying fees for many recreation programs.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 510-981-5150DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on berkeleyca.gov

City of Berkeley website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Berkeley first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Food pantry

  All Nations Pantry

  1.9 miles from the center of Berkeley

  5815 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608

  Hours

  • Tue1 PM to 2 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Telegraph Ministry Center

  Telegraph Community Ministry Center

  2.7 miles from the center of Berkeley

  5316 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

  Hours

  • Wed9:30 AM to 1:30 PM; 5 PM to 7 PM
  • Fri9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

  Who can come: People in Oakland and Alameda County

  Call 510-961-4385DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on oaklandca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  West Oakland Punks With Lunch

  2.8 miles from the center of Berkeley

  35th St & Peralta St, Oakland, CA 94608

  Hours

  • Sun3:30 PM to 5:30 PM

  Who can come: People who come to the site

  Call 510-371-4465DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on punkswithlunch.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free grocery market

  Third Eye x HOPE Collaborative Harvest Market

  HOPE Collaborative

  3 miles from the center of Berkeley

  3427 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608

  Hours

  • Sun2:30 PM to 5 PM (1st and 3rd of the month). Sometimes also the second Sunday
  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on hopecollaborative.net, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  New Hope Baptist Church

  3 miles from the center of Berkeley

  892 36th St, Oakland, CA 94608

  Hours

  • Thu2 PM to 3 PM (2nd and 4th of the month)
  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free grocery market

  Manos Morena’s Cultural Center x Third Eye Harvest Market

  Manos Morena’s Cultural Center

  3.5 miles from the center of Berkeley

  664 30th St, Oakland, CA 94609

  Hours

  • Sun2:30 PM to 5 PM (4th of the month)
  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on hopecollaborative.net, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Berkeley

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Job help near Berkeley

American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.

• Youth and reentry program

  Berkeley Youth Alternatives

  For young people

  0.6 miles away

  1255 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94702

  Call 510-845-9010DirectionsWebsite

These are the closest to Berkeley.

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  West Oakland Neighborhood Career Center

  3.8 miles away

  1801 Adeline Street, The West Oakland Public Library Suite 209, Oakland, CA 94607

  Hours: Mon - Fri: 9:00AM- 5:00PM Resource Room/Computer Access closes at 4:30pm

  Call 510-419-0392DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on May 30, 2026

• American Job Center

  America`s Job Center of California-Downtown Oakland Career Center

  Also helps people leaving jail or prison

  4.7 miles away

  1000 Broadway, Suite 625, Trans Pacific Centre, Oakland, CA 94607

  Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Resource Room/Computer Access Closes at 4:30 p.m. Call ahead at 510-858-6742 to reserve a spot in the resource /Computer Access.

  Call 510-858-6742DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on April 27, 2026

• American Job Center

  RichmondWORKS

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  5.5 miles away

  330 25th Street, Employment and Training Department, Richmond, CA 94804

  Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

  Call 510-307-8014DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on March 16, 2026

Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.

Offices for all of Alameda County

Berkeley is in Alameda County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Human services · County office

  Alameda County Social Services Agency

  2000 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612

  Help here

  • Public benefitsApply for CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and other county benefits.Apply online
  • Immigrant and refugee servicesGet help finding financial assistance, health care, employment support, and other services.Read more
  Call 510-263-2420DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on socialservices.alamedacountyca.gov

• Public health · County office

  Alameda County WIC

  39155 Liberty Street, Suite D-470, Fremont, CA 94538

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition supportGet nutrition support and food benefits if you are pregnant, recently gave birth, or caring for a young child.Apply online
  Call 510-595-6400DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.gov

• Child support · County office

  Alameda County Child Support Services

  5669 Gibraltar Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588

  Help here

  • Child supportGet help starting, changing, or enforcing a child support case.Apply online
  Call 866-901-3212DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on childsupport.alamedacountyca.gov

• Housing help · County office

  Housing Authority of the County of Alameda

  22941 Atherton Street, Hayward, CA 94541

  Help here

  • Housing assistanceGet information about housing assistance programs and applications.Read more
  Call 510-538-8876DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on haca.net

• Local office · Regional office

  211 Alameda County

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with housing, food, health care, bills, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211alamedacounty.org

• Public health · County office

  Alameda County Public Health Department

  1100 San Leandro Boulevard, San Leandro, CA 94577

  Help here

  • Public health servicesGet information and referrals for county public health services.Read more
  Call 510-267-8000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.gov

Everything in Alameda County

California programs by kind of help

These are run by California 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