South El Monte
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Local offices in South El Monte
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · Nonprofit
211 LA
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 for help finding housing, food, health care, and other services in Los Angeles County.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211la.org
Utilities · Regional office
San Gabriel Valley Water Company, El Monte Office
11142 Garvey Avenue, El Monte, CA 91733
Help here
- Water service and billingSouth El Monte residents served by this company can apply for water service, ask about their account, or pay a water bill at its El Monte office.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on sgvwater.com
Local office · City office
South El Monte City Hall
1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733
Help here
- City information and servicesContact City Hall for help finding city departments, public records, and other city services.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofsouthelmonte.org
Older adults · City office
South El Monte Senior Center
1556 Central Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733
Help here
- Programs and support for older adultsAdults age 55 and older can ask about social, wellness, nutrition, and transportation services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofsouthelmonte.org
Library · County office
South El Monte Library
1430 North Central Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books and other materials, use public computers, or get help with research and learning.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on lacountylibrary.org
Parks and recreation · City office
South El Monte Community Center
1530 Central Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733
Help here
- Community and recreation programsResidents can visit or call to ask about city recreation programs and community activities.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofsouthelmonte.org
City of South El Monte website
Checked on October 9, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of South El Monte first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Community Resource Center in East L.A.
Community Resource Center
6.9 miles from the center of South El Monte4801 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90022
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
3rd Thursday of the month | 10am, while supplies last
Who can come: Community members
Listed on communityresourcecenterla.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Community Resource Center in Lincoln Heights
Community Resource Center
9.7 miles from the center of South El Monte2430 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Hours
- Fri10 AM to 12 PM (last of the month)
Who can come: Community members
Listed on communityresourcecenterla.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Meal Service
The Midnight Mission
11 miles from the center of South El Monte601 San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Breakfast: 6:15 am for special guests and families; 6:30 am for general population. Lunch: 12:15 pm for special guests and families; 12:30 pm for general population; no lunch on Sunday. Dinner: 4:15 pm for special guests and families; 4:30 pm for general population.
Who can come: Anyone who walks through the doors
Listed on midnightmission.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Meal Times
Los Angeles Mission
11 miles from the center of South El Monte303 E. 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Breakfast 5:30 AM; lunch 12:30 PM; dinner 6:45 PM. Lunch and dinner service in Spanish and English.
Who can come: Overnight guests and the community
Languages: Spanish
Listed on losangelesmission.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Universal Community Health Center Food Pantry
Universal Community Health Center
12 miles from the center of South El Monte1919 San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90011
Hours
- Mon8 AM to 12 PM; 12:35 PM to 4:30 PM
- Tue8 AM to 12 PM; 12:35 PM to 4:30 PM
- Wed8 AM to 12 PM; 12:35 PM to 4:30 PM
- Thu8 AM to 12 PM; 12:35 PM to 4:30 PM
- Fri8 AM to 12 PM; 12:35 PM to 4:30 PM
- Sat8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (2nd of the month). Until supplies run out
Who can come: Everyone in the community
What to bring: No requirements, paperwork, income checks, or patient status needed
Listed on uchcla.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Breakfast Program
St. Francis Center
13 miles from the center of South El Monte1835 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, CA 90015
Hours
- Mon7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. To-go breakfast
- Tue7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. Indoor dining or to-go
- Wed7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. Indoor dining or to-go
- Thu7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. Indoor dining or to-go
- Fri7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. Indoor dining or to-go
Who can come: Anyone in need
What to bring: No registration or payment is needed
Listed on stfranciscenterla.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve South El Monte
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
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
2300 Pellissier Place, City of Industry, CA 90601
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
Community Legal Aid SoCal
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Nonprofit
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Nonprofit
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County
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
City of Los Angeles, Community Investment for Families Department
1200 W. 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services
12860 Crossroads Parkway South, City of Industry, CA 91746-3411
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Foothill Unity Center, Inc.
790 W. Chestnut Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Long Beach Community Action Partnership
117 West Victoria Street, Long Beach, CA 90805
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Los Angeles County
South El Monte is in Los Angeles County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Child support · County office
Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing and enforcing child support orders.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cssd.lacounty.gov
Housing help · County office
Los Angeles County Department of Homeless Services and Housing
655 Maple Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Help here
- Homelessness and housing supportGet connected to outreach, housing, and prevention resources if you are homeless or at risk of losing housing.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on homeless.lacounty.gov
Housing help · County office
Los Angeles County Development Authority
700 W. Main Street, Alhambra, CA 91801
Help here
- Housing assistanceGet information about county housing programs, including public housing and housing choice vouchers.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lacda.org
Public health · County office
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Help here
- Public health clinicsPublic Health clinics offer services such as immunizations and testing for some infections.Read more
- WIC nutrition supportWIC helps eligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and young children get healthy food and nutrition support.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on publichealth.lacounty.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
550 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Help here
- Mental health help and crisis supportCall for mental health services, crisis support, and help finding care in Los Angeles County.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmh.lacounty.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Los Angeles County Law Library
Help here
- Legal research and self-helpUse legal research resources and self-help information for court matters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lalawlibrary.org
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 LA
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