Porterville
Ask about Porterville
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Porterville and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Porterville
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
Porterville Housing Division
291 N. Main St., Porterville, CA 93257
Help here
- Homebuyer and housing assistanceAsk about city homebuyer, home repair, accessibility grant, and public utility assistance programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ci.porterville.ca.us
Utilities · City office
Porterville Utility Billing
291 N. Main St., Porterville, CA 93257
Help here
- Water and sewer billsGet help with city utility billing, account questions, and payments.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on portervilleca.municipalonlinepayments.com
Local office · Regional office
211 Tulare County
Help here
- Local support and referralsFind referrals for housing, food, utilities, health care, transportation, and other local needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211tularecounty.org
Local office · City office
Porterville City Hall
291 N. Main St., Porterville, CA 93257
Help here
- City information and resident concernsContact the City Manager’s Office with questions or concerns about city services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ci.porterville.ca.us
Jobs and training · Regional office
Porterville Employment Connection Center
1063 W. Henderson Ave., Porterville, CA 93257
Help here
- Job search and training servicesGet help finding work, preparing for a job, and exploring training options.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on employmentconnect.org
State office
Porterville DMV Field Office
329 E. Olive Ave., Porterville, CA 93257
Help here
- Driver licensing and identificationApply for or renew a driver license or identification card at this state office.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on qr.dmv.ca.gov
Library · City office
Porterville Public Library
41 W. Thurman Ave., Porterville, CA 93257
Help here
- Library services and programsVisit the library for books, internet access, literacy help, and community programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ci.porterville.ca.us
Parks and recreation · City office
Porterville Parks & Leisure Services
15 E. Thurman Ave., Porterville, CA 93257
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind city recreation programs, sports, and activities for residents.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on secure.rec1.com
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Porterville first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
The Hope Center
43 miles from the center of Porterville3311 Manor Street, Bakersfield, CA 93308
Hours
- Wed9:30 AM to 12 PM (2nd and 4th of the month)
What to bring: Bring an ID or a document with your name on it. Visits are limited to once every six months.
Listed on hopecenters.net, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Manna From Heaven Ministries inc.
47 miles from the center of Porterville120 Kentucky Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Thursday food distribution at 2:30pm. Names are taken starting at noon.
Who can come: People in need
What to bring: First come, first served.
Listed on mannafromheaveninc.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Food Distributions
Children First
47 miles from the center of Porterville1511 Niles Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
On the third Thursday of each month; distribution starts at 4:00 PM and continues until food runs out.
Who can come: Anyone in need of additional food resources
Listed on childrenfirstbakersfield.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
The Mission at Kern County
48 miles from the center of Porterville816 E 21st Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.
Listed on themissionkc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Brighter Days! - Monthly Food Giveaway
Calvary Bakersfield
48 miles from the center of Porterville4040 Niles St, Bakersfield, CA 93306
Hours
- Sat9 AM to 11 AM (2nd of the month)
Who can come: Families in the community; all are welcome
Listed on calbakersfield.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
St. Vincent de Paul Bakersfield Homeless Center
St. Vincent de Paul Society of Kern County
48 miles from the center of Porterville320 Baker Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305
Hours
- Mon8 AM to 2:30 PM. Breakfast at 08:30 and lunch at 11:30
- Tue8 AM to 2:30 PM. Breakfast at 08:30 and lunch at 11:30
- Wed8 AM to 2:30 PM. Breakfast at 08:30 and lunch at 11:30
- Thu8 AM to 2:30 PM. Breakfast at 08:30 and lunch at 11:30
- Fri8 AM to 2:30 PM. Breakfast at 08:30 and lunch at 11:30
- Sat8 AM to 2:30 PM. Lunch at 11:30
Who can come: People in need
Listed on svdpbakersfield.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Porterville
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
Central California Food Bank
4010 E. Amendola Ave., Fresno, CA 93725
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
Community Services & Employment Training, Inc.
312 N.W. 3rd Avenue, Visalia, CA 93279
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Tulare County
Porterville is in Tulare County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency, Human Services
Help here
- CalFresh, CalWORKs, and Medi-CalApply for food, cash, or health coverage benefits at a TulareWORKs office.Apply online
- General AssistanceAdults with limited income may apply for temporary cash aid.Apply onlineRead more
- In-Home Supportive ServicesEligible older adults and people with disabilities can get help to live safely at home.Read more
- Cash Assistance Program for ImmigrantsEligible aged, blind, or disabled non-citizens may apply for cash aid.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tchhsa.org
Public health · County office
Tulare County WIC
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)Eligible pregnant people and families with young children can get food benefits, nutrition help, and breastfeeding support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tchhsa.org
Child support · County office
Tulare County Department of Child Support Services
Help here
- Child support case servicesGet help opening or managing a child support case, establishing parentage, and handling payments.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tularecounty.ca.gov
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of Tulare
5140 W. Cypress Avenue, Visalia, CA 93277
Help here
- Rental assistance and affordable housingApply for rental assistance, public housing, housing vouchers, and other affordable housing programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hatc.net
Local office · Nonprofit
211 Tulare County
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall, text, or search online to find local help with housing, food, utilities, health care, and other needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211tularecounty.org
Public health · County office
Tulare County Public Health
5957 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277
Help here
- Public health servicesGet immunizations, health assessments, disease prevention, and other public health services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tchhsa.org
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 Tulare 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