Hayward
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Local offices in Hayward
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
Housing Division
Help here
- Housing information and programsGet information about rental housing, affordable housing, homeownership programs, and housing repair help.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hayward-ca.gov
Utilities · City office
City of Hayward Revenue Division
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Help here
- Low-income utility discountsEligible residents can apply for discounts or waivers on some garbage, water, and sewer charges.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hayward-ca.gov
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.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211alamedacounty.org
Local office · City office
City of Hayward Customer Service
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Help here
- City questions and service requestsCall or use Access Hayward to ask a question, report a problem, or send a suggestion.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hayward-ca.gov
Older adults · City office
Hayward Operated Paratransit Program
777 B Street, 4th Floor, Hayward, CA 94541
Help here
- Paratransit ridesEligible older adults and people with disabilities can apply for rides and help choosing accessible transportation.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hayward-ca.gov
State office
California DMV Hayward Field Office
150 Jackson Street, Hayward, CA 94544
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesVisit for driver license, identification card, and vehicle services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · City office
Hayward Public Library
888 C Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Help here
- Library materials and learning programsBorrow library materials and get access to learning programs, computers, and study help.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hayward-ca.gov
Parks and recreation · Regional office
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind parks, classes, sports, camps, and other recreation programs serving Hayward residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on haywardrec.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Hayward first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
The FREEdom Store
Homies Empowerment
8.5 miles from the center of Hayward10451 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94605
Hours
- Wed10 AM to 11:45 AM; 1 PM to 3 PM
Who can come: All community
What to bring: No ID required
Listed on homiesempowerment.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
The East Oakland Collective
10 miles from the center of Hayward7800 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94605
Hours
- Thu11 AM to 2 PM. Prepared hot meals
Who can come: Unhoused people
Listed on eastoaklandcollective.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
New Testament
11 miles from the center of Hayward1901 62nd Ave, Oakland, CA 94621
Hours
- Thu12 PM to 1 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Jose Mendoza Pantry
11 miles from the center of Hayward1006 50th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601
Hours
- Tue12 PM to 1 PM (4th of the month)
Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Fruitvale Pantry
13 miles from the center of Hayward2744 East 11th St, Oakland, CA 94601
Hours
- Thu6 PM to 7 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Oakland Hot Meal Service
CityTeam
15 miles from the center of Hayward722 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Sundays: Breakfast 7:00am & Dinner 6:30pm. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: Breakfast 7:00am, Lunch 12:00pm, Dinner 6:30pm.
Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Hayward
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
Alameda County Community Food Bank
7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA 94621
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
Berkeley Community Action Agency
2180 Milvia Street, 2nd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
City of Oakland, Department of Human Services
150 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 4340, Oakland, CA 94612-2019
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Hayward
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.
American Job Center
Eden Area AJCC
Also helps people leaving jail or prison
2.3 miles away
24100 Amador Street, Gail Steele Multi-Service Center , 3rd Floor, Hayward, CA 94544
Hours: Mon/Tues/Thurs 8:30am-5pm -Wed 8:30am-7pm-Fri 8:30am-12:30pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on March 30, 2026
Youth program
Chabot Community College
1.1 miles away
25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545
Youth and reentry program
American Job Center - Eden Area - Rubicon Programs
For young people
2.3 miles away
24100 Amador Street, 3rd Floor, Hayward, CA 94544
Youth and reentry program
Rubicon Programs - Rubicon Hayward AJCC
For young people
2.3 miles away
24100 Amador Street, 3rd Floor, Hayward, CA 94544
Youth and reentry program
Hayward Adult School
For young people
3.1 miles away
22100 Princeton Street, Hayward, CA 94541
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
Alameda County Workforce Development Board
24100 Amador Street, 6th Floor, Hayward, CA 94544
Workforce board
Oakland Workforce Development Board
250 Frank H. Ogawa, 3rd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612
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
Hayward 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
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
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
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
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on haca.net
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
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services
2000 Embarcadero Cove, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94606
Help here
- Mental health and substance use referralsCall for help finding mental health care or substance use treatment.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.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
- 211 Alameda County
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