Palo Alto
Ask about Palo Alto
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Palo Alto and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Palo Alto
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
City of Palo Alto Utilities Customer Service
250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Help here
- Utility bill assistanceAsk about utility discounts and one-time help with an overdue utility bill.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on paloalto.gov
Local office · Regional office
2-1-1 Santa Clara County
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall any time for free referrals to housing, food, health, and other community services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211bayarea.org
Human services · City office
Office of Human Services
Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road, T2, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Help here
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on paloalto.gov
Local office · City office
Palo Alto City Hall and Customer Service
250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Help here
- General city help and service requestsCall for help finding city services or report problems such as potholes, sidewalk issues, weeds, and graffiti.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on paloalto.gov
Library · City office
Palo Alto City Library
270 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Help here
- Library services and programsGet a library card, borrow books and digital items, use library computers, or ask about library programs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on library.cityofpaloalto.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Recreation Services
Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Help here
- Recreation classes and programsBrowse and register for classes, sports, camps, aquatics, and other recreation programs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on paloalto.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Palo Alto first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free grocery market
Bethel Church
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
12 miles from the center of Palo Alto1201 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95128
Hours
- Thu10:15 AM to 11:45 AM (1st and 3rd of the month). Walk-up only
What to bring: No documents needed.
Languages: English, Spanish
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
St. Leo's Parish
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
14 miles from the center of Palo Alto88 Race Street, San Jose, CA 95126
Hours
- Thu5 PM to 6 PM. Walk-up
Who can come: All ages
Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
14 miles from the center of Palo Alto81 North 2nd Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Hours
- Thu6:15 AM to 7:45 AM (1st and 3rd of the month). Walk-up only
What to bring: No documents needed.
Languages: Cantonese, English, Mandarin, Spanish
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
CityTeam at Willow Glen Bible Church
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
15 miles from the center of Palo Alto1292 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
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
C.O.M.E.
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
15 miles from the center of Palo Alto121 East San Salvador Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Hours
- Tue8:15 AM to 10:30 AM. Walk-up only
What to bring: Bring identification, proof of minors, and proof of residence on your first visit.
Languages: English, Spanish
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Washington United Youth Center
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
15 miles from the center of Palo Alto921 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Hours
- Sat9:45 AM to 11:15 AM (2nd and 4th of the month). Walk-up only
What to bring: No documents needed.
Languages: English, Spanish
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Palo Alto
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 Silicon Valley
750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
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
Bay Area Legal Aid
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
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
Sacred Heart Community Services
1381 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Santa Clara County
Palo Alto is in Santa Clara County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Social Services Agency, Department of Employment and Benefit Services
1867 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112
Help here
- Public benefitsApply for CalFresh food benefits, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, General Assistance, and other cash aid.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ssa.santaclaracounty.gov
Human services · Regional office
211 Bay Area
Help here
- Community service referralsCall 211 for help finding food, shelter, health care, jobs, senior services, and other local support.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211bayarea.org
Public health · County office
Santa Clara County WIC
725 E. Santa Clara Street, Suite 200, San Jose, CA 95112
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportWIC offers healthy food, nutrition advice, and breastfeeding support to eligible pregnant people, new parents, and young children.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on publichealth.santaclaracounty.gov
Child support · County office
Department of Child Support Services
333 W. Julian Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing parentage, setting up child support, or managing a support case.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dcss.santaclaracounty.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Santa Clara County Housing Authority
505 West Julian Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Help here
- Housing assistanceFind information about housing vouchers and affordable housing programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on scchousingauthority.org
Public health · County office
Public Health Department
976 Lenzen Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126
Help here
- Public health servicesFind county health programs, clinics, and information about staying healthy.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on publichealth.santaclaracounty.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
- 2-1-1 Santa Clara 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