Santa Clara County
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Local offices in Santa Clara County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
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
Mental health and recovery · County office
Behavioral Health Services Department
871 Enborg Court, Unit 100, San Jose, CA 95128
Help here
- Mental health and substance use servicesCall for help finding mental health or substance use care, including crisis support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on bhsd.santaclaracounty.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Superior Court Self-Help Center
201 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Help here
- Court self-helpGet information and help with court forms and steps for representing yourself.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santaclara.courts.ca.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Santa Clara County Law Library
360 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Help here
- Legal researchUse legal books and research tools and ask library staff for help finding materials.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sccll.org
Older adults · Regional office
Sourcewise
Help here
- Aging and caregiver informationFind information and services for older adults and caregivers in Santa Clara County.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mysourcewise.com
Veterans · County office
Santa Clara County Veterans Services Office
68 N. Winchester Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpGet help applying for veterans benefits and services for veterans, dependents, and survivors.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on vets.santaclaracounty.gov
Emergency help · County office
Office of Emergency Management
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and alertsGet local emergency information and sign up for county emergency alerts.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on oem.santaclaracounty.gov
Immigrant services · County office
Office of Immigrant Relations
2460 N. First Street, Suite 220, San Jose, CA 95131
Help here
- Immigrant resourcesFind county information about immigration policies and local services for immigrant residents.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on desj.santaclaracounty.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
work2future Gilroy Job Center
379 Tomkins Court, Gilroy, CA 95020
Help here
- Job search and training helpGet help with job searches, job training, and employment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on work2future.org
State office
California DMV Santa Clara Field Office
3665 Flora Vista Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95051
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or ID, and get vehicle title and registration services.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · Regional office
Santa Clara County Library District
Help here
- Library servicesUse library collections, online resources, public programs, and reference help.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sccld.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Santa Clara County, closest to the center of San Jose first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free grocery market
St. Maria Goretti Parish
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
1.2 miles from the center of San Jose2980 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
Free grocery market
Seven Trees Family Resource Center (FRC)
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
1.3 miles from the center of San Jose3975 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
1.3 miles from the center of San Jose3590 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 meals
Our Lady Of Refuge Church
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
2.3 miles from the center of San Jose2165 Lucretia Avenue, San Jose, CA 95122
Hours
- Tue3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Who can come: All ages
Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Shirakawa Family Resource Center (FRC)
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
2.3 miles from the center of San Jose665 Wool Creek Drive, San Jose, CA 95112
Hours
- Wed2 PM to 3 PM. Walk-up
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
2.5 miles from the center of San Jose5284 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
Nonprofits that serve Santa Clara County
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
Job help near Santa Clara County
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
San Jose Job Center
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
5.3 miles away
1608 Las Plumas Avenue, Work2Future-Silicon Workforce Development Board, San Jose, CA 95133
Hours: Monday - Friday 8a-5p
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
North San Jose America`s Job Center of California
Also helps young people
7.7 miles away
1901 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95112
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on May 8, 2026
American Job Center
NOVAworks
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
13 miles away
456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale City Hall, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on August 22, 2026
Youth and reentry program
Center for Employment Opportunities - San Jose
2.2 miles away
521 Parrott St., San Jose, CA 95112
Youth program
Center for Training and Careers
3.4 miles away
749 Story Road, Suite 10, San Jose, CA 95122
Youth and reentry program
Center for Employment Training - San Jose
4.4 miles away
701 Vine Street, San Jose, CA 95110
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 Jose/Silicon Valley Workforce Development Board
5730 Chambertin Dr, San Jose, CA 95118
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.
Cities and towns in Santa Clara 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
Talk to a person
- 211 Bay Area
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