Santa Barbara

Local offices in Santa Barbara

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

• Human services · City office

  Housing & Human Services

  630 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Help here

  • Rental housing mediationGet free help discussing a rental dispute with a landlord, tenant, or roommate.Read more
  • Fair housing helpContact the city if you believe you faced discrimination when renting a home.Read more
  • Affordable housing informationFind city information and resources about affordable rental and homeownership options.Read more
  Call 805-564-5461DirectionsWebsite

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

• Housing help · Regional office

  Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara

  808 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Help here

  • Affordable housing and rental assistanceApply for public housing or rental assistance when a program is accepting applications.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 805-965-1071DirectionsWebsite

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

• Utilities · City office

  Utility Billing

  735 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Help here

  • Water, sewer, and trash billsGet help with your city water, sewer, or trash bill and payment options.
  Call 805-564-5343DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · City office

  City of Santa Barbara Customer Service (SB Connect)

  735 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Help here

  • City service requestsReport a city issue, request a service, or submit a complaint through SB Connect.Read more
  Call 805-963-0611DirectionsWebsite

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

• Jobs and training · Regional office

  Workforce Resource Center, Santa Barbara

  130 East Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Help here

  • Job search and training helpGet help with job searches, resumes, education, and workforce training programs.
  Call 805-568-1296DirectionsWebsite

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

• State office

  California DMV Santa Barbara Field Office

  535 Castillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Help here

  • Driver licensing and identificationApply for or renew a driver license or identification card at the DMV office.Apply online
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov

• Library · City office

  Santa Barbara Public Library

  40 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Help here

  • Library services and programsGet a library card, borrow books and other materials, and find free classes and events.
  Call 805-962-7653DirectionsWebsite

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

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Parks and Recreation Department

  620 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Help here

  • Recreation programsFind city recreation classes, activities, and programs for residents of different ages.
  Call 805-564-5418DirectionsWebsite

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

City of Santa Barbara website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Santa Barbara

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

Offices for all of Santa Barbara County

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

• Human services · County office

  Department of Social Services

  Help here

  • Benefits and social servicesContact the department to apply for or manage county social services and benefits.
  Call 866-404-4007Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on secure.countyofsb.org

• Public health · County office

  Public Health Department WIC Program

  315 Camino Del Remedio, Santa Barbara, CA 93110

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition supportWIC offers food and nutrition education to eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five.
  Call 805-681-5275DirectionsWebsite

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

• Child support · County office

  Department of Child Support Services

  260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93110

  Help here

  • Child support servicesThe office helps parents and guardians establish and manage child support.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on childsupport.ca.gov

• Mental health and recovery · County office

  Department of Behavioral Wellness

  Help here

  • Behavioral health servicesCall the access line for crisis response or help connecting to county behavioral health services.Read more
  Call 888-868-1649Website

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

• Local office · Nonprofit

  211 Santa Barbara County

  Help here

  • Local service information and referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with food, housing, health care, utilities, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211santabarbaracounty.org

• Courts and legal help · County office

  Santa Barbara County Law Library

  1100 Anacapa Street, 2nd Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  Help here

  • Legal information and court formsResidents can use legal information, court forms, and research materials at the law library.
  Call 805-568-2296DirectionsWebsite

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

Everything in Santa Barbara 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