El Cajon
Ask about El Cajon
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for El Cajon and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in El Cajon
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
El Cajon Housing Authority
200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, CA 92020
Help here
- Housing assistance informationContact the city housing staff for information about local affordable housing programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elcajon.gov
Utilities · City office
Utility Billing and Wastewater
Help here
- Sewer charge assistanceContact the city if you need help paying your sewer charge with your property taxes.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elcajon.gov
Local office · City office
El Cajon City Hall
200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, CA 92020
Help here
- City information and customer serviceCall or visit City Hall to get general information or find the right city department.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elcajon.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
East County Career Center
151 Van Houten Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
Help here
- Job search and career servicesGet help finding work, building job skills, and starting an application for career services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on workforce.org
State office
El Cajon DMV Field Office
1450 Graves Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92021
Help here
- Driver licensing and vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or ID, take required tests, and handle vehicle title or registration services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on qr.dmv.ca.gov
Library · County office
El Cajon Library
201 E. Douglas Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
Help here
- Library services and programsVisit the library to use its collections, computers, and public programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sdcl.org
Library · County office
Fletcher Hills Library
576 Garfield Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
Help here
- Library services and programsVisit the library to use its collections, computers, and public programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sdcl.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks and Recreation Department
200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, CA 92020
Help here
- Parks, recreation classes, and activitiesFind city parks, recreation programs, and classes for children, adults, and older adults.Apply online
- Adult and senior programsFind activities and resources for adults and older residents.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elcajon.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of El Cajon first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
I Am My Brother's Keeper CDC
8.4 miles from the center of El Cajon6601 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92114
Hours
- Tue1 PM to 3 PM
What to bring: No ID, proof of income, or other documents are required.
Languages: Spanish
Listed on iambkcdc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Partnership for A Better San Diego Food Pantry
Partnership for A Better San Diego
9.2 miles from the center of El Cajon3737 Camino del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108
Hours
- Mon12 PM to 3 PM
- Thu8 AM to 11 AM
What to bring: Bring an ID. If you have received food there before, bring your food bank card.
Listed on pabsd.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Bridge of Hope
Bridge of Hope SD
9.2 miles from the center of El Cajon3406 Fairmount Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
Hours
- Fri11:30 AM to 1 PM
- Sat9 AM to 11 AM (2nd and 4th of the month). Community Day
Who can come: All are welcome
What to bring: Get a membership card at Bridge of Hope and bring it each time you come.
Listed on bridgeofhopesd.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Mid-City Nazarene Food Distribution
Mid-City Church of the Nazarene
9.2 miles from the center of El Cajon4101 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105
Hours
- Tue1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
- Sat9 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: People who are in need
What to bring: Distribution is organized by appointment.
Listed on midcitynazarene.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
North Central Live Well Center
County of San Diego
9.8 miles from the center of El Cajon5055 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123
Hours
- Sat9 AM to 12 PM (1st of the month). Schedule is subject to change
Who can come: Anyone. There are no income or residence requirements.
Listed on livewellsd.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
31st. St. SDA Church
31st SDA Church
12 miles from the center of El Cajon414 South 31st Street, San Diego, CA 92113
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Food Distribution 2 & 4th Wednesday of every month
Who can come: Everyone is welcome
Listed on 31sda.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve El Cajon
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
Feeding San Diego
9477 Waples Street, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121
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 San Diego, Inc.
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
County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Community Action Partnership
649 W. Mission Ave. Mailstop: N-465, Escondido, CA 92025
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of San Diego County
El Cajon is in San Diego County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Central Region Family Resource Center - Metro
1130 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Help here
- CalFresh, Medi-Cal and General ReliefApply for food assistance, health coverage or temporary cash aid here.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Community action · County office
Community Action Partnership of San Diego County
Help here
- Household and community supportFind local help with household needs, income supports and financial skills.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Child support · County office
Department of Child Support Services
3666 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, CA 92123
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support services, payments and case questions.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of San Diego
3989 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123
Help here
- Rental assistance and public housingGet information about rental assistance and affordable housing programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Public health · County office
Central Public Health Center
5101 Market Street, Suite 2000, San Diego, CA 92114
Help here
- Preventive health servicesGet eligible vaccinations and other preventive health services here.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Behavioral Health Services
Help here
- Mental health and substance use careFind mental health and substance use treatment and support services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
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
- 2-1-1 San Diego
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