El Cerrito
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Local offices in El Cerrito
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
Housing Division
10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Help here
- Affordable housing informationGet information about affordable housing and contact properties to ask about applications and waitlists.
- Housing stability helpCall the city to ask whether help is available if you are at immediate risk of losing your housing.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elcerrito.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
Contra Costa 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 to get referrals for local food, housing, health, utility, and other support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211cc.org
Local office · City office
City Hall
10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Help here
- City services and general helpContact City Hall for help finding the right city service or office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elcerrito.gov
State office
California DMV El Cerrito Field Office
6400 Manila Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Help here
- Driver licensing and identificationApply for or renew a California driver license or identification card at this field office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · County office
El Cerrito Library
6510 Stockton Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the branch for library materials, public computers, events, and other library services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ccclib.org
Parks and recreation · City office
El Cerrito Recreation Department
7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind city classes, camps, sports, swim programs, and activities for children and adults.
- Senior programs and servicesOlder adults can ask about recreation, meals, transportation, and other senior programs.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on elcerrito.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of El Cerrito first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
All Nations Pantry
5.5 miles from the center of El Cerrito5815 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608
Hours
- Tue1 PM to 2 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Telegraph Ministry Center
Telegraph Community Ministry Center
6 miles from the center of El Cerrito5316 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
Listed on oaklandca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
West Oakland Punks With Lunch
6.5 miles from the center of El Cerrito35th St & Peralta St, Oakland, CA 94608
Hours
- Sun3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Who can come: People who come to the site
Listed on punkswithlunch.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Third Eye x HOPE Collaborative Harvest Market
HOPE Collaborative
6.6 miles from the center of El Cerrito3427 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608
Hours
- Sun2:30 PM to 5 PM (1st and 3rd of the month). Sometimes also the second Sunday
Listed on hopecollaborative.net, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
New Hope Baptist Church
6.6 miles from the center of El Cerrito892 36th St, Oakland, CA 94608
Hours
- Thu2 PM to 3 PM (2nd and 4th of the month)
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
7.1 miles from the center of El Cerrito664 30th St, Oakland, CA 94609
Hours
- Sun2:30 PM to 5 PM (4th of the month)
Listed on hopecollaborative.net, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve El Cerrito
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 Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
4010 Nelson Ave, Concord, CA 94520
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
Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department/Community Services Bureau
1470 Civic Court, Suite 200, Concord, CA 94520
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Contra Costa County
El Cerrito is in Contra Costa County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Public health · County office
Contra Costa WIC
2731 Systron Drive, Suite 200, Concord, CA 94518
Help here
- WIC food and nutrition supportWIC helps eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five get healthy food and nutrition support.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cchealth.org
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa
3133 Estudillo Street, Martinez, CA 94553
Help here
- Public housing and housing vouchersFind information about public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on contracostaha.org
Public health · County office
Contra Costa Public Health
2500 Bates Avenue, Suite B, Concord, CA 94520
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information about vaccines, disease reporting, and other public health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cchealth.org
Mental health and recovery · County office
Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services
1340 Arnold Drive, Suite 200, Martinez, CA 94553
Help here
- Mental health and substance use servicesCall the access line to find county mental health or substance use services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cchealth.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Contra Costa County Public Law Library
1026 Escobar Street, Suite 2C, Martinez, CA 94553
Help here
- Legal research resourcesUse free legal research materials and get help finding legal information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cccpllib.org
Courts and legal help · State office
Contra Costa Superior Court Self-Help Center
751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553
Help here
- Court forms and self-helpGet help understanding court forms and representing yourself in a court case.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on contracosta.courts.ca.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
- Contra Costa 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