Merced County
Ask about Merced County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Merced County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Merced County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Merced County Human Services Agency
2115 West Wardrobe Avenue, Merced, CA 95341
Help here
- CalFresh, CalWORKs, and Medi-CalApply for food benefits, cash aid, and health coverage for eligible residents.
- Adult and Aging ServicesGet help with adult protective services, caregiver support, transportation, and other aging services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Public health · Nonprofit
WIC Merced
1235 West Main Street, Merced, CA 95340
Help here
- WIC nutrition assistanceGet nutrition support and food benefits for eligible pregnant people, infants, and children.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wicmerced-mariposa.com
Child support · County office
Merced County Child Support Services
3368 North Highway 59, Suite A, Merced, CA 95348
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support orders, payments, and case information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of the County of Merced
405 U Street, Merced, CA 95341
Help here
- Affordable housing and vouchersFind affordable housing programs and apply for housing assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on merced-pha.com
Public health · County office
Merced County Department of Public Health
260 East 15th Street, Merced, CA 95341
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information about county health programs, vaccines, and public health resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Mental health and recovery · County office
Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
301 East 13th Street, Merced, CA 95341
Help here
- Mental health and substance use servicesGet connected to mental health and substance use services for adults and youth.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Courts and legal help · County office
Merced County Public Law Library
670 West 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340
Help here
- Legal information and research resourcesUse legal books, databases, and library resources to research a legal issue.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Courts and legal help · County office
Merced Superior Court Self-Help Center
2260 N Street, Merced, CA 95340; 1159 G Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
Help here
- Court self-helpGet help finding court forms and information for family, housing, and small claims cases.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on merced.courts.ca.gov
Older adults · County office
Merced County Area Agency on Aging
851 West 23rd Street, Merced, CA 95340
Help here
- Aging information and assistanceGet connected to local services for older adults and their caregivers.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Veterans · County office
Merced County Veterans Service Office
1920 Customer Care Way, Atwater, CA 95301
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help understanding and applying for veterans benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Emergency help · County office
Merced County Office of Emergency Services
3500 Apron Avenue, Atwater, CA 95301
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and public informationFind county emergency preparedness information and disaster updates for residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Immigrant services · Nonprofit
Catholic Charities Immigration Services - Merced
336 West Main Street, Suite 1, Merced, CA 95340
Help here
- Immigration servicesGet help with immigration matters at the Merced service office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ccdof.org
Jobs and training · County office
Worknet Employment Resource Center - Merced
1205 West 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340
Help here
- Job search and training helpGet help looking for work, building job skills, and finding training.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
State office
California DMV Merced Field Office
1313 West 12th Street, Merced, CA 95340
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or identification card and handle vehicle registration services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · County office
Merced County Library
2100 O Street, Merced, CA 95340
Help here
- Library servicesUse county library resources, programs, and bookmobile services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Merced County, closest to the center of Merced first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Pinedale
City of Fresno PARCS
50 miles from the center of Merced7170 N. San Pablo Ave, Fresno, CA 93650
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Serving Time: 11:15 A.M.
Who can come: Anyone 60 years and older. Anyone under 60 can buy a meal for $7.38.
What to bring: Complete an FMAAA registration form on site the first day. Make a reservation at the senior site in person or by phone by 11:30 AM the day before.
Listed on fresno.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Fresno Christian Reformed Church Food Distribution
Fresno Christian Reformed Church
51 miles from the center of Merced1639 W. Shields Ave, Fresno, CA 93705
Hours
- Fri10 AM to 12 PM (last of the month)
Listed on fresnocrc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Food Pantry (Drive-Thru)
Hope Lutheran Church
51 miles from the center of Merced5435 N Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93710
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Every Tuesday | Sunrise to 7:00 am
Listed on hopelutheranfresno.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Food Distribution
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
52 miles from the center of Merced2101 N. Fruit Ave, Fresno, CA 93705
Hours
- Mon1 PM to 3 PM (1st of the month). If a holiday, the distribution is the following Monday
Listed on oursavioursfresno.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Paul “Cap” Caprioglio Center
City of Fresno PARCS
52 miles from the center of Merced5191 N 6th St, Fresno, CA 93710
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Serving Time: 11:15 A.M.
Who can come: Anyone 60 years and older. Anyone under 60 can buy a meal for $7.38.
What to bring: Complete an FMAAA registration form on site the first day. Make a reservation at the senior site in person or by phone by 11:30 AM the day before.
Listed on fresno.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
First Fruits Market
City Center
52 miles from the center of Merced2025 E. Dakota Ave, Fresno, CA 93726
Hours
- Wed8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
- Fri8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
- Sat8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Listed on citycenterfresno.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Merced 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
Second Harvest of the Greater Valley
1220 Vanderbilt Cir, Manteca, CA 95337
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
Central California Legal Services
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
Central Valley Opportunity Center, Incorporated
P.O. Box 1389, Winton, CA 95388
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Merced County Community Action Board
P.O. Box 2085, Merced, CA 95344
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Merced 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
- 211 Merced 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