Kern County
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Local offices in Kern County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Kern County Department of Human Services
100 E. California Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307
Help here
- Public assistance benefitsApply for cash, food, and medical benefits through the county.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kcdhs.org
Child support · County office
Kern County Child Support Services
3701 N. Sillect Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93308
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support services and payments.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kerncounty.com
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of Kern
Help here
- Housing assistanceLearn about housing programs and how to apply for rental assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kernha.org
Public health · County office
Kern County Public Health Services
1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93306
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information about county health services and clinic schedules.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kernpublichealth.com
Mental health and recovery · County office
Kern County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
2021 28th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Help here
- Behavioral health servicesContact the county for behavioral health and recovery services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kernbhrs.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Kern County Superior Court Self-Help Center
1215 Truxtun Ave., 1st floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Help here
- Court self-helpGet help preparing forms for family law, guardianship, and small claims matters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kern.courts.ca.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Kern County Public Law Library
1415 Truxtun Avenue, 3rd floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Help here
- Legal research resourcesUse legal research materials and get procedural information about court matters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kern.courts.ca.gov
Older adults · County office
Kern County Aging and Adult Services
5357 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93309
Help here
- Aging and adult services informationGet information and referrals for services for older adults and adults with disabilities.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kerncounty.com
Older adults · Regional office
Kern County Area Agency on Aging
5357 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93309
Help here
- Aging services and referralsFind local services and support for older adults and adults with disabilities.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kerncounty.com
Veterans · County office
Kern County Veterans Service Department
1120 Golden State Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpGet help understanding and applying for veterans benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kerncounty.com
Jobs and training · County office
America's Job Center of Kern
1600 E. Belle Terrace, Bakersfield, CA 93307
Help here
- Job search and trainingGet help finding a job, building job skills, and accessing training.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on americasjobcenterofkern.com
Library · County office
Kern County Library
701 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card and use books, online resources, and library programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kerncountylibrary.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Kern County, closest to the center of Bakersfield first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, CA Food Pantry
First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, CA
0.3 miles from the center of Bakersfield5 Real Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Hours
- Wed8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. While supplies last
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on fccbakersfield-ucc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Neighborhood Café
First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, CA
0.3 miles from the center of Bakersfield5 Real Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Hours
- Thu6 PM to 7 PM (3rd of the month). First come, first served
Who can come: Everyone
What to bring: No sign-up or ID needed.
Listed on fccbakersfield-ucc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno
1.3 miles from the center of Bakersfield825 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Hours
- Mon8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
- Tue8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
- Wed8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
- Thu8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
- Fri8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
What to bring: Bring identification, proof of address, and proof of income. Documents must be dated within the last 30 days.
Listed on ccdof.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Community Food Pantry
Grace Church Bakersfield
1.6 miles from the center of Bakersfield2800 Larson Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93304
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Open after service, approximately 11:45 AM on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month.
Who can come: Church family and neighbors in need
Listed on gracebakersfield.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Weekly Food Pantry
Stay Focused Ministries
1.6 miles from the center of Bakersfield1225 California Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93304
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 11 AM
- Wed1 PM to 3 PM
- Fri: times not listed, call first
Listed on stayfocused.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The Salvation Army Bakersfield Corps Community Center Food Pantry
The Salvation Army Bakersfield Corps Community Center
1.7 miles from the center of Bakersfield4417 Wilson Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Hours
- Mon1 PM to 4 PM
- Tue1 PM to 4 PM
- Wed1 PM to 4 PM
- Thu1 PM to 4 PM
What to bring: For a first visit, bring a driver's license and proof of address. If other people live with you, bring a document with their names and birth dates.
Listed on salvationarmyusa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Kern County
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
Central California Food Bank
4010 E. Amendola Ave., Fresno, CA 93725
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
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Nonprofit
Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, 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
Community Action Partnership of Kern
1300 18th St., Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Kern 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
Talk to a person
- 2-1-1 Kern 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