Modesto
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Local offices in Modesto
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
Utility Billing Customer Service
1010 10th Street, Suite 2100, Modesto, CA 95354
Help here
- Utility bill assistanceEligible customers who receive certain public benefits can apply for a $45 monthly discount on their city utility bill.Apply onlineRead more
- Utility billing helpContact the city to ask about water, sewer, storm drain, or garbage charges and utility service.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on modestogov.com
Older adults · City office
Modesto Senior Citizens Center
211 Bodem Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Help here
- Senior activities and mealsAdults age 60 and older can find center activities and ask about hot weekday meals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on modestogov.com
Local office · City office
City of Modesto Customer Service
1010 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Help here
- Report a city service issueUse GoModesto to report issues such as street flooding, broken lights, illegal dumping, or damaged playground equipment.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on modestogov.com
Jobs and training · County office
Modesto America's Job Center of California
629 12th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Help here
- Job search and training helpGet help finding work, building job skills, and connecting with employment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stanworkforce.com
State office
Modesto DMV Field Office
124 Burney Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Help here
- Driver license and identification servicesVisit the field office for driver license and identification services that require an in-person visit.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
State office
Employment Development Department Modesto Office
3340 Tully Road, Suite E-10, Modesto, CA 95350
Help here
- Unemployment claim informationThis location has forms and a lobby phone, but no public service counter; call ahead to check what help is available.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on edd.ca.gov
Library · County office
Modesto Express Library
1002 10th Street, Modesto, CA
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the express location for library services while the Modesto Library building is closed for renovation.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stanislauslibrary.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks, Recreation & Neighborhoods Department
1010 10th Street, Suite 4400, Modesto, CA 95354
Help here
- Classes and recreation programsFind and register for city classes, sports, swim programs, and community activities.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on modestogov.com
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Modesto first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Valley Community SDA
Valley Community Seventh-day Adventist Church
24 miles from the center of Modesto2929 S. B Street, Stockton, CA 95206
Hours
- Wed11 AM to 1 PM
What to bring: Must receive food in person. No delivery is available.
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Kennedy Community Center
San Joaquin County Human Services Agency
24 miles from the center of Modesto2800 S. D St., Stockton, CA 95206
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Mon. through Fri. 10:30 am. Commodity Program to 3rd Thurs 9 am.
Who can come: San Joaquin County residents
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Taft Community Center
San Joaquin County Human Services Agency
25 miles from the center of Modesto389 W. Downing Ave., Stockton, CA 95206
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 1 PM
- Thu7:30 AM to 11:30 AM (3rd of the month). Commodity program
- Fri10 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: ZIP code 95206 south of 8th Street and west of El Dorado, and ZIP codes 95231 and 95330
What to bring: Proof of residence in San Joaquin County is required for the commodity program.
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Garden Acres Community Center
San Joaquin County Human Services Agency
25 miles from the center of Modesto607 Bird Ave., Stockton, CA 95205
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 1 PM
- Fri11 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: Adults 18 and older
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Eastside Church of God in Christ
26 miles from the center of Modesto3206 E. Marsh St., Stockton, CA 95205
Hours
- Mon2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
- Wed2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Hurricane Missionary Baptist
26 miles from the center of Modesto428 S. Ash St., Stockton, CA 95205
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Call for hours of Food Program.
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Modesto
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
California Rural 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
Central Valley Opportunity Center, Incorporated
P.O. Box 1389, Winton, CA 95388
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Modesto
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
Modesto American Job Center of California / EDD Workforce Services Branch (WSB) & Stanislaus County Workforce Development
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
0.5 miles away
629 12th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Hours: Modesto AJCC - Monday - Friday 8am-5:00pm; Partner - StanWorkforce - Monday - Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026
Youth and reentry program
Stanislaus Literacy Center
For young people
0.3 miles away
1032 11th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Youth program
Stanislaus County Workforce Development - Youth Services
3.5 miles away
251 E. Hackett Rd., C-2, Modesto, CA 95358
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
Stanislaus River Valley Alliance
251 East Hackett Road, #C2; PO Box 3389 (95353), Modesto, CA 95358
Workforce board
California Workforce Development Board
1416 9th Street, Floor 14, Sacramento, CA 95814
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 Stanislaus County
Modesto is in Stanislaus County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Stanislaus County Community Services Agency
251 E. Hackett Road, Modesto, CA 95353
Help here
- Benefits and family servicesContact the agency for help with public benefits and services for individuals and families.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on csa-stanislaus.com
Public health · County office
Stanislaus County WIC
917 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95353
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportWIC offers eligible families food benefits, nutrition help, breastfeeding support, and health referrals.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on schsa.org
Child support · County office
Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services
251 E. Hackett Road, Modesto, CA 95358
Help here
- Child support servicesThe department helps establish parentage and support orders, collect support, and review orders.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stancodcss.org
Housing help · Regional office
Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority
1612 Sisk Road, Modesto, CA 95350
Help here
- Affordable housing programsAsk about affordable housing programs and apply for available assistance.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stanregionalha.org
Public health · County office
Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, Public Health Services
917 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95353
Help here
- Public health servicesFind county health information, programs, and services for residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on schsa.org
Mental health and recovery · County office
Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
1601 I Street, Suite 200, Second Floor, Modesto, CA 95354
Help here
- Behavioral health supportCall for information about mental health and substance use services or crisis support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stancounty.com
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 Stanislaus 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