Encinitas

Local offices in Encinitas

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

• Housing help · City office

  Encinitas Housing Authority

  505 S. Vulcan Ave., Encinitas, CA 92024

  Help here

  • Housing Choice Voucher ProgramThe authority manages rent help for eligible households, but its voucher waiting list is currently closed.
  Call 760-633-2723DirectionsWebsite

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

• Utilities · City office

  San Dieguito Water District Customer Service & Billing

  505 S. Vulcan Ave., Encinitas, CA 92024

  Help here

  • Water billing and customer serviceCustomers can contact the district about water bills and account service.
  Call 760-633-2658DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · City office

  Encinitas Community & Senior Center

  1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024

  Help here

  • Senior activities and servicesOlder adults can find social activities, classes, workshops, and senior services at the center.
  • Senior activity fee assistanceEligible Encinitas residents age 60 and older can apply for help with city recreation program fees.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 760-943-2250DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · City office

  City of Encinitas Customer Service

  505 S. Vulcan Ave., Encinitas, CA 92024

  Help here

  • City information and service requestsCall or submit a request online to ask a city question or report a local issue.
  Call 760-633-2600DirectionsWebsite

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

• Library · County office

  Encinitas Library

  540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024

  Help here

  • Library servicesVisitors can use library books, computers, Wi-Fi, and programs for people of all ages.
  Call 760-753-7376DirectionsWebsite

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

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department

  505 S. Vulcan Ave., Encinitas, CA 92024

  Help here

  • Recreation programsResidents can find and register for city classes, camps, sports, and other recreation programs.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 760-633-2740DirectionsWebsite

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

City of Encinitas website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

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

• Mobile pantry

  North Central Live Well Center

  County of San Diego

  17 miles from the center of Encinitas

  5055 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.

  DirectionsWebsite

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

• Food pantry

  Partnership for A Better San Diego Food Pantry

  Partnership for A Better San Diego

  21 miles from the center of Encinitas

  3737 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.

  Call 619-228-8101DirectionsWebsite

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

• Free meals

  OB Church Center

  Episcopal Diocese of San Diego

  21 miles from the center of Encinitas

  2083 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92107

  Hours

  • Sat8:30 AM to 10 AM (2nd and 4th of the month). Breakfast

  Who can come: People in need of a hot meal

  Call 619-291-5947DirectionsWebsite

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

• Food pantry

  Mid-City Nazarene Food Distribution

  Mid-City Church of the Nazarene

  23 miles from the center of Encinitas

  4101 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.

  Call 619-516-1000DirectionsWebsite

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

• Food pantry

  Bridge of Hope

  Bridge of Hope SD

  23 miles from the center of Encinitas

  3406 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.

  Call 858-380-7993DirectionsWebsite

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

• Free meals

  Ladle Fellowship

  First Presbyterian Church of San Diego

  23 miles from the center of Encinitas

  320 Date Street, San Diego, CA 92101

  Hours

  Hours not listed. Call first.

  Doors open at 2:00 PM every Sunday. Worship service 2:15 PM-2:30 PM. Meal served 2:30 PM.

  Who can come: People in need

  Call 619-232-7513DirectionsWebsite

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

Nonprofits that serve Encinitas

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

Job help near Encinitas

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 Encinitas. These are the closest.

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  North County Coastal Career Center

  Also helps young people

  10 miles away

  3708 Ocean Ranch Blvd., North Coastal Live Well Center, Oceanside, CA 92056

  Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

  Call 619-319-WORK (9675)DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on July 29, 2026

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  America`s Job Center of California-North County Coastal Career Center

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  11 miles away

  1949 Avenida Del Oro, Suite 106, Oceanside, CA 92056

  Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

  Call 760-666-6763Directions

  Updated by CareerOneStop on September 28, 2026

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  East County Career Center

  Also helps young people

  25 miles away

  151 Van Houten Ave, PCG, El Cajon, CA 92020

  Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm

  Call 619-319-9675DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on September 28, 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 San Diego County

Encinitas 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
  Call 866-262-9881DirectionsWebsite

  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
  Call 619-338-2799Website

  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
  Call 866-901-3212DirectionsWebsite

  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
  Call 858-694-4801DirectionsWebsite

  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.
  Call 619-229-5400DirectionsWebsite

  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.
  Call 619-563-2700Website

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

Everything in San Diego 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