East Palo Alto
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Local offices in East Palo Alto
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · Regional office
211 Bay Area, San Mateo County
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with food, housing, health care, jobs, and other needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211bayarea.org
Housing help · City office
Housing Division
1960 Tate Street, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Help here
- Housing and home repair informationAsk about city housing programs, including home repair help for eligible older homeowners.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofepa.org
Utilities · City office
Public Works Department
1960 Tate Street, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Help here
- Water and utility informationContact the city for information about local water service providers and city utility resources.Read more
- Street and maintenance requestsContact Public Works about city streets, sidewalks, signs, parks, or maintenance issues.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofepa.org
Local office · City office
City of East Palo Alto
2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Help here
- City customer serviceCall or visit City Hall to ask about city services or get help routing your question.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofepa.org
Human services · City office
Community Services and Recreation
2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Help here
- Senior servicesAsk about city services and programs for older adults.
- Recreation programsFind recreation activities, events, and facility reservations offered by the city.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofepa.org
Library · Regional office
East Palo Alto Library
2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the library to borrow materials, use Wi-Fi and computers, and take part in programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcl.org
City of East Palo Alto website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of East Palo Alto first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free grocery market
Bethel Church
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
15 miles from the center of East Palo Alto1201 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95128
Hours
- Thu10:15 AM to 11:45 AM (1st and 3rd of the month). Walk-up only
What to bring: No documents needed.
Languages: English, Spanish
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
St. Leo's Parish
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
15 miles from the center of East Palo Alto88 Race Street, San Jose, CA 95126
Hours
- Thu5 PM to 6 PM. Walk-up
Who can come: All ages
Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
16 miles from the center of East Palo Alto81 North 2nd Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Hours
- Thu6:15 AM to 7:45 AM (1st and 3rd of the month). Walk-up only
What to bring: No documents needed.
Languages: Cantonese, English, Mandarin, Spanish
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
St. Victor's Parish Food Pantry
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
16 miles from the center of East Palo Alto3108 Sierra Road, San Jose, CA 95132
Hours
- Sat10 AM to 12 PM (3rd of the month). Drive-through only
What to bring: Bring identification and proof of residence on your first visit.
Languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
C.O.M.E.
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
17 miles from the center of East Palo Alto121 East San Salvador Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Hours
- Tue8:15 AM to 10:30 AM. Walk-up only
What to bring: Bring identification, proof of minors, and proof of residence on your first visit.
Languages: English, Spanish
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
CityTeam at Willow Glen Bible Church
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
17 miles from the center of East Palo Alto1292 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
Hours
- Tue3:30 PM to 5 PM (2nd and 4th of the month). Walk-up only
What to bring: No documents needed.
Languages: English
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve East Palo Alto
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
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
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
Bay Area Legal Aid
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
San Mateo County Human Services Agency
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near East Palo Alto
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.
CareerOneStop lists no American Job Center in East Palo Alto. These are the closest.
American Job Center · Affiliate center
Ohlone Tri-Cities Career Center
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
7.9 miles away
39399 Cherry Street, Ohlone College Newark: Center for Health Sciences and Technology Room 1211, Newark, CA 94560
Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. & Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Closed Fridays during Summer)
Updated by CareerOneStop on June 2, 2026
American Job Center
NOVAworks
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
8.4 miles away
456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale City Hall, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on August 22, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
America`s Job Center of California- Fremont
9.9 miles away
39155 Liberty Street, Fremont Family Resource Center ,Suite B200, Fremont, CA 94538
Hours: Mon - Fri 8 AM - 5 PM
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 5, 2026
Unemployment benefits in California
If you lost your job or your hours were cut, you may be able to get unemployment insurance. You apply with the state, and the state decides who qualifies.
Workforce board for this area
The workforce board plans the job and training programs here and funds the job centers. Go to a job center for help; call the board with questions about its programs.
Workforce board
NOVA Workforce Development Board
456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Workforce board
California Workforce Development Board
1416 9th Street, Floor 14, Sacramento, CA 95814
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 San Mateo County
East Palo Alto is in San Mateo County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Human Services Agency
1500 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404
Help here
- Public assistanceApply for CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and General Assistance.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Public health · County office
San Mateo County WIC Program
306 Spruce Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children nutrition supportEligible families with young children can get healthy food, nutrition information, and breastfeeding support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.org
Child support · County office
Department of Child Support Services
555 County Center, 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support orders, payments, and your child support case.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Community action · County office
San Mateo County Community Action Agency
Help here
- Community action and self-sufficiency supportThe county agency supports programs that help residents address poverty and prevent or end homelessness.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo
264 Harbor Boulevard, Belmont, CA 94002
Help here
- Rental assistanceApply for open housing voucher waitlists and get help with rental assistance applications.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Public health · County office
San Mateo County Health
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA 94403
Help here
- Health services and public health programsFind county health programs, medical services, and public health information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.org
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
Talk to a person
- 211 Bay Area
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