Salinas
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Local offices in Salinas
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
Housing and Community Development Division
65 West Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93901
Help here
- Rental assistanceEligible Salinas renters facing eviction may apply for the city's short-term rental assistance when the program is open and funds are available.Apply online
- Housing and homelessness resourcesGet information about affordable housing, tenant resources, and help for people experiencing homelessness.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on salinas.gov
Utilities · City office
Residential Sewer Payment Assistance Program
Help here
- Sewer bill assistanceQualifying residential sewer customers may apply for a one-time payment toward their annual city sewer charges.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on salinas.gov
Local office · City office
City of Salinas City Hall
200 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901
Help here
- City information and assistanceContact City Administration for help finding city information and services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on salinas.gov
Older adults · City office
Senior Program at Firehouse Recreation Center
1330 East Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93905
Help here
- Senior activities and mealsAdults can join senior activities, attend health and resource events, and get information about the optional weekday lunch.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on salinas.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Salinas America's Job Center of California
928 East Blanco Road, Suite 280, Salinas, CA 93901
Help here
- Employment and job search helpGet help connecting with job search, training, and employment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on edd.ca.gov
State office
Salinas DMV Field Office
260 East Laurel Drive, Salinas, CA 93906
Help here
- Driver licenses and identificationApply for or renew a California driver license or identification card at the field office.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · City office
Salinas Public Library
350 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card and borrow books, media, and digital resources at Salinas library branches.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on library.salinas.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
Recreation and Parks Division
320 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind recreation classes, sports, events, parks, and permits for residents of all ages.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on salinas.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Salinas first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free grocery market
Santa Teresa Parish
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
40 miles from the center of Salinas794 Calero Avenue, San Jose, CA 95123
Hours
- Sat9 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: All ages
Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Christ The King Parish
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
41 miles from the center of Salinas5284 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111
Hours
- Fri4 PM to 5:30 PM
Who can come: All ages
Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Seven Trees Family Resource Center (FRC)
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
42 miles from the center of Salinas3975 Mira Loma Way, San Jose, CA 95111
Hours
- Thu2 PM to 5 PM (2nd of the month)
Who can come: All ages
Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
Seven Trees Community Center
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
43 miles from the center of Salinas3590 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
Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
St. Maria Goretti Parish
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
43 miles from the center of Salinas2980 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95111
Hours
- Thu10 AM to 12 PM (2nd of the month)
Who can come: All ages
Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
CityTeam at Willow Glen Bible Church
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
45 miles from the center of Salinas1292 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
Nonprofits that serve Salinas
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
Food Bank for Monterey County
353 W Rossi St., Salinas, CA 93907
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
Monterey County Community Action Partnership
1000 S. Main Street, Suite 301, Salinas, CA 93901
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Salinas
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
Salinas AJCC
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
1.7 miles away
344 Salinas Street, Salinas Square Suite 203, Salinas, CA 93901
Hours: Mon.-Thurs 8am-6pm Friday 8am-5pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
Salinas EDD
Also helps young people
2.5 miles away
928 E. Blanco Road, Rancho Llano Business Center Suite 280, Salinas, CA 93901
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on June 10, 2026
Youth program
Mexican American Opportunities Foundation - Monterey County
2 miles away
11 Quail Run Circle, Suite 101, Salinas, CA 93907
Youth and reentry program
Center for Employment Training - Salinas
For young people
2.2 miles away
24 Alvin Drive, Salinas, CA 93906
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
Monterey County Workforce Development Board
344 Salinas Street, Suite 101, Salinas, CA 93901
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 Monterey County
Salinas 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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.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 Monterey 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