Santa Cruz

Local offices in Santa Cruz

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

• Utilities · City office

  Santa Cruz Municipal Utilities Customer Service

  212 Locust St., Suite D, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • Utility bills and serviceGet help with water, sewer, and garbage bills, signups, and service changes.Read more
  • Utility Customer Assistance ProgramEligible households can apply for help paying city utility costs.Read more
  Call 831-420-5220DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · City office

  Economic Development and Housing

  337 Locust St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • Housing and homelessness resourcesFind information about city housing and homelessness programs and resources.
  Call 831-420-5150DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · City office

  City of Santa Cruz Customer Service

  809 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • City information and helpCall or visit for general questions about city services and departments.
  Call 831-420-5030DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · City office

  Downtown Senior Center

  301 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • Senior activities and servicesAdults can join senior classes, trips, technology help, and special service appointments.
  Call 831-420-6180DirectionsWebsite

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

• Library · Regional office

  Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Downtown Branch

  224 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • Library servicesGet a library card and use books, digital resources, programs, and meeting rooms.Apply online
  Call 831-427-7707DirectionsWebsite

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

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Parks and Recreation Department

  323 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • Classes, activities, and recreation programsRegister for city classes, activities, sports, and recreation programs.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 831-420-5270DirectionsWebsite

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

City of Santa Cruz website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Santa Cruz first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Free grocery market

  Santa Teresa Parish

  Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

  21 miles from the center of Santa Cruz

  794 Calero Avenue, San Jose, CA 95123

  Hours

  • Sat9 AM to 11 AM

  Who can come: All ages

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free grocery market

  Bethel Church

  Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

  23 miles from the center of Santa Cruz

  1201 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

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free grocery market

  Christ The King Parish

  Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

  23 miles from the center of Santa Cruz

  5284 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111

  Hours

  • Fri4 PM to 5:30 PM

  Who can come: All ages

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  CityTeam at Willow Glen Bible Church

  Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

  24 miles from the center of Santa Cruz

  1292 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

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free grocery market

  Seven Trees Family Resource Center (FRC)

  Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

  24 miles from the center of Santa Cruz

  3975 Mira Loma Way, San Jose, CA 95111

  Hours

  • Thu2 PM to 5 PM (2nd of the month)

  Who can come: All ages

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on ccscc.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free grocery market

  Seven Trees Community Center

  Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

  24 miles from the center of Santa Cruz

  3590 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

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on shfb.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Santa Cruz

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

Job help near Santa Cruz

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.

• Youth program

  Santa Cruz County Office of Education

  0.9 miles away

  400 Encinal, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Call 831-466-5703DirectionsWebsite

These are the closest to Santa Cruz.

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  Capitola Career Center - America`s Job Center of California (AJCC)

  Also helps young people

  3.8 miles away

  2045 40th Avenue, Suite B, Capitola, CA 95010

  Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm

  Call 831-464-6286DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on August 13, 2026

• American Job Center

  Santa Cruz County, Workforce, Watsonville Career Center

  Also helps people leaving jail or prison

  15 miles away

  500 Westridge Drive, County of Santa Cruz, South County Government Center, Watsonville, CA 95076

  Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm Closed 12:00 noon - 1pm

  Call 831-763-8933DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  SCCOE - Suenos Youth Program Services

  Also helps young people

  15 miles away

  229 Green Valley Road, Sequoia Schools, Freedom, CA 95019

  Hours: Monday-Friday 9a.m.-5p.m.

  Call 831-466-5672DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on September 21, 2026

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 Santa Cruz County

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

• Human services · County office

  Santa Cruz County Human Services Department

  1000 Emeline Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • Public benefits and social servicesGet help applying for or managing public benefits and other social services.Apply online
  Call 831-454-4130DirectionsWebsite

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

• Child support · County office

  Santa Cruz County Department of Child Support Services

  28 Second Street, Suite 200, Watsonville, CA 95076

  Help here

  • Child support servicesGet help with child support services and questions about your case.
  Call 866-901-3212DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dcss.santacruzcountyca.gov

• Public health · County office

  Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency

  1080 Emeline Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • County health servicesContact the County health agency for public health information and health services.
  Call 831-454-4100DirectionsWebsite

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

• Mental health and recovery · County office

  Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Division

  1400 Emeline Avenue, Suite K, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • Behavioral health servicesContact the County for behavioral health and substance use services.
  Call 831-454-4170DirectionsWebsite

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

• Courts and legal help · County office

  Santa Cruz County Law Library

  701 Ocean Street, Room 70, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • Legal materials and researchUse legal materials and research resources at the County law library.
  Call 831-420-2205DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · Regional office

  Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties

  175 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076

  Help here

  • Older adult and caregiver supportGet information and referrals for older adults, caregivers, and other vulnerable residents.
  Call 831-688-0400DirectionsWebsite

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

Everything in Santa Cruz 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