Santa Cruz County
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Local offices in Santa Cruz County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on seniorscouncil.org
Emergency help · County office
Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and responseFind County information about preparing for emergencies, response, and disaster recovery.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzcountyca.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
211 Santa Cruz County
Help here
- Local service referralsCall 211 or search online to find local health, housing, food, and other services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211santacruzcounty.org
Library · Regional office
Santa Cruz Public Libraries
117 Union Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- Public library servicesUse the library system to find books, learning resources, and library programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzpl.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Santa Cruz County, 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 Cruz794 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
Bethel Church
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
23 miles from the center of Santa Cruz1201 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
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 Cruz5284 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
Food pantry
CityTeam at Willow Glen Bible Church
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
24 miles from the center of Santa Cruz1292 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
Free grocery market
Seven Trees Family Resource Center (FRC)
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
24 miles from the center of Santa Cruz3975 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
24 miles from the center of Santa Cruz3590 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
Nonprofits that serve Santa Cruz 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 Food Bank Santa Cruz County
800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, CA 95076
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
Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc.
406 Main Street, Suite 207, Watsonville, CA 95076
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns 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
Talk to a person
- 211 Santa Cruz 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