Monterey

Local offices in Monterey

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

• Housing help · City office

  Housing Programs Office

  570 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940

  Help here

  • Affordable housing and home repairGet information about affordable homes and home repair help for eligible residents.
  Call 831-646-3995DirectionsWebsite

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

• Library · City office

  Monterey Public Library

  625 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940

  Help here

  • Library servicesVisit the library for books, information, and other library services.
  DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · City office

  City of Monterey Customer Service

  580 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940

  Help here

  • City information and suggestionsCall the city’s 24-hour suggestion line for general city information or to leave a suggestion.
  Call 831-646-3799DirectionsWebsite

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

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Parks and Recreation Department

  280 Dickman Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940

  Help here

  • Recreation programs and park reservationsFind city recreation programs and ask about reserving parks or picnic areas.
  • Senior programs and servicesAsk about senior programs and services at Scholze Park Center.
  Call 831-646-3866DirectionsWebsite

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

City of Monterey website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

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

• Free grocery market

  Santa Teresa Parish

  Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

  44 miles from the center of Monterey

  794 Calero Avenue, San Jose, CA 95123

  Hours

  • Sat9 AM to 11 AM

  Who can come: All ages

  DirectionsWebsite

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

• Free grocery market

  Christ The King Parish

  Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

  46 miles from the center of Monterey

  5284 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111

  Hours

  • Fri4 PM to 5:30 PM

  Who can come: All ages

  DirectionsWebsite

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

• Free grocery market

  Seven Trees Family Resource Center (FRC)

  Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

  47 miles from the center of Monterey

  3975 Mira Loma Way, San Jose, CA 95111

  Hours

  • Thu2 PM to 5 PM (2nd of the month)

  Who can come: All ages

  DirectionsWebsite

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

• Free grocery market

  Seven Trees Community Center

  Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

  47 miles from the center of Monterey

  3590 Cas Drive, San Jose, CA 95111

  Hours

  • Fri7:30 AM to 9 AM (2nd and 4th of the month). Walk-up only

  What to bring: No documents needed.

  Languages: English, Vietnamese

  DirectionsWebsite

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

• Free grocery market

  St. Maria Goretti Parish

  Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

  48 miles from the center of Monterey

  2980 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95111

  Hours

  • Thu10 AM to 12 PM (2nd of the month)

  Who can come: All ages

  DirectionsWebsite

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

• Food pantry

  CityTeam at Willow Glen Bible Church

  Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

  48 miles from the center of Monterey

  1292 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125

  Hours

  • Tue3:30 PM to 5 PM (2nd and 4th of the month). Walk-up only

  What to bring: No documents needed.

  Languages: English

  DirectionsWebsite

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

Nonprofits that serve Monterey

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

Offices for all of Monterey County

Monterey is in Monterey County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Human services · County office

  Monterey County Department of Social Services, Community Benefits

  1000 S. Main St., Suite 216, Salinas, CA 93901

  Help here

  • CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal and General AssistanceApply for food, cash and health coverage benefits or get help with an application.Apply online
  Call 877-410-8823DirectionsWebsite

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

• Public health · County office

  Monterey County WIC, Salinas

  632 E. Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93905

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition assistanceAsk about food and nutrition support for eligible women, infants and children.
  Call 831-796-2888DirectionsWebsite

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

• Child support · County office

  Monterey County Department of Child Support Services

  1441 Schilling Place, Salinas, CA 93901

  Help here

  • Child support servicesGet help starting, changing or enforcing a child support order.Apply online
  Call 866-901-3212DirectionsWebsite

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

• Housing help · Regional office

  Housing Authority of the County of Monterey

  123 Rico Street, Salinas, CA 93907

  Help here

  • Affordable housingFind information about affordable housing programs and how to apply for housing assistance.Apply online
  Call 831-775-5000DirectionsWebsite

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

• Public health · County office

  Monterey County Health Department, Public Health

  1270 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906

  Help here

  • Public health information and programsGet information about county public health programs, immunizations and communicable diseases.
  Call 831-755-4500DirectionsWebsite

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

• Mental health and recovery · County office

  Monterey County Behavioral Health

  1441 Constitution Blvd., Building 400, Suite 202, Salinas, CA 93906

  Help here

  • Behavioral health access and servicesCall the Access Team to talk about mental health or substance use support and find services.
  Call 888-258-6029DirectionsWebsite

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

Everything in Monterey 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