National City
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Local offices in National City
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Older adults · City office
George H. Waters Nutrition Center
1415 D Avenue, National City, CA 91950
Help here
- Senior mealsOlder adults can come for weekday lunches and nutrition services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nationalcityca.gov
State office · Regional office
South Region Family Resource Center
401 Mile of Cars Way, National City, CA 91915
Help here
- CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and Refugee Cash AssistanceVisit or call to ask about applications and eligibility for public benefit programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nationalcityca.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
211 San Diego
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 any time to find help with food, housing, health care, utility bills, and other needs.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211sandiego.org
Housing help · City office
Housing Authority of the City of National City
140 E 12th Street, Suite B, National City, CA 91950
Help here
- Housing Choice Voucher ProgramAsk about rental assistance vouchers for eligible households that live or work in National City.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nationalcityca.gov
Local office · City office
City Hall and Neighborhood Services
1243 National City Blvd, National City, CA 91950
Help here
- City information and customer serviceCall or visit for help finding city services and information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nationalcityca.gov
Older adults · City office
Community Services Senior Services
1221 D Avenue, National City, CA 91950
Help here
- Senior activities and programsJoin activities and programs for older adults at Kimball Senior Center.Apply onlineRead more
- Home delivered mealsOlder adults who cannot visit the nutrition center may ask about meal delivery.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nationalcityca.gov
Library · City office
National City Public Library
1401 National City Blvd, National City, CA 91950
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the library for books, technology, learning resources, and public programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nationalcityca.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
Community Services Recreation Programs
140 E 12th Street, National City, CA 91950
Help here
- Recreation programsFind recreation activities for children, teens, adults, and older adults.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on nationalcityca.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of National City first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Mobile pantry
South Bay Pentecostal
South Bay Pentecostal Church
1.4 miles from the center of National City395 D Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
1st Friday, 9:00 am until food is gone
Listed on sandiegofoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Civic Center Chula Vista Public Library Food Pantry
Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, in partnership with the City of Chula Vista
2 miles from the center of National City365 F St, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours
- Mon12 PM to 7 PM
- Wed12 PM to 7 PM
Who can come: Chula Vista residents
What to bring: Register online or by phone.
Languages: Spanish, Vietnamese
Listed on chulavistaca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Civic Center Chula Vista Public Library Food Pantry
City of Chula Vista
2 miles from the center of National City365 F St, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours
- Mon12 PM to 7 PM
- Wed12 PM to 7 PM
Who can come: Chula Vista residents
What to bring: Register online or by phone at 619-323-2841, option 2.
Languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese
Listed on chulavistaca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
SBCS Center for Impact
SBCS
2 miles from the center of National City318 Fourth Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours
- Sat10 AM to 12 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Who can come: People age 16 and older who need food
What to bring: No proof of need is required. Be present during distribution.
Listed on sbcssandiego.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Coastal Pathways Foundation Food Bank
Coastal Pathways Foundation
2.1 miles from the center of National CityStreet behind 347 Third Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours
- Thu5 PM to 7 PM
Who can come: Everyone is welcome
What to bring: Register online first.
Listed on coastalpathways.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Chula Vista Middle School
SBCS
2.2 miles from the center of National City415 5th Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours
- Thu4 PM to 6 PM (4th of the month)
Who can come: People age 16 and older who need food
What to bring: No proof of need is required. Be present during distribution.
Listed on sbcssandiego.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve National City
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
Feeding San Diego
9477 Waples Street, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121
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
Legal Aid Society of San Diego, 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
County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Community Action Partnership
649 W. Mission Ave. Mailstop: N-465, Escondido, CA 92025
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near National City
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.
CareerOneStop lists no American Job Center in National City. These are the closest.
American Job Center
South Bay Career Center
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
2.5 miles away
333 H Street, South Bay Career Bldg. Suite 1055, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5 :00p.m.
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
Metro Career Center
Also helps young people
2.7 miles away
4389 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Updated by CareerOneStop on July 29, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
East County Career Center
Also helps young people
12 miles away
151 Van Houten Ave, PCG, El Cajon, CA 92020
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on September 28, 2026
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
San Diego Workforce Development Board
9246 Lightwave Avenue, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92123
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 San Diego County
National City is in San Diego County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Central Region Family Resource Center - Metro
1130 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Help here
- CalFresh, Medi-Cal and General ReliefApply for food assistance, health coverage or temporary cash aid here.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Community action · County office
Community Action Partnership of San Diego County
Help here
- Household and community supportFind local help with household needs, income supports and financial skills.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Child support · County office
Department of Child Support Services
3666 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, CA 92123
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support services, payments and case questions.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of San Diego
3989 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123
Help here
- Rental assistance and public housingGet information about rental assistance and affordable housing programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Public health · County office
Central Public Health Center
5101 Market Street, Suite 2000, San Diego, CA 92114
Help here
- Preventive health servicesGet eligible vaccinations and other preventive health services here.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Behavioral Health Services
Help here
- Mental health and substance use careFind mental health and substance use treatment and support services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sandiegocounty.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 San Diego
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