Atwater
Ask about Atwater
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Atwater and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Atwater
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
City of Atwater Community Development
1350 Broadway Avenue, Atwater, CA 95301
Help here
- Housing assistance informationThe city lists housing programs for residents and directs people to Self-Help Enterprises for program information.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on atwater.org
Utilities · City office
City of Atwater Finance Department
1350 Broadway Avenue, Atwater, CA 95301
Help here
- Water, sewer, and sanitation billingContact Finance for questions about city utility bills, payments, or starting or stopping service.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on atwater.org
Library · County office
Atwater Library
1600 Third Street, Atwater, CA 95301
Help here
- Library servicesResidents can visit the branch to use library materials and attend library programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Local office · City office
City of Atwater Administration
1160 Fifth Street, Atwater, CA 95301
Help here
- City information and helpCall or visit the city administration office for general city information and help reaching a city department.
- Report a city concernResidents can report concerns to the city by texting the listed city service number and following the prompts.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on atwater.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Atwater Recreation and Community Events
760 East Bellevue Road, Atwater, CA 95301
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsResidents can contact the department about sports, classes, activities, events, and recreation facilities.Apply online
- Senior services informationThe recreation department provides information about senior services and programs available in Merced County.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on atwater.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Atwater
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 the Greater Valley
1220 Vanderbilt Cir, Manteca, CA 95337
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
Central California Legal Services
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
Central Valley Opportunity Center, Incorporated
P.O. Box 1389, Winton, CA 95388
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Merced County Community Action Board
P.O. Box 2085, Merced, CA 95344
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Merced County
Atwater is in Merced County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Merced County Human Services Agency
2115 West Wardrobe Avenue, Merced, CA 95341
Help here
- CalFresh, CalWORKs, and Medi-CalApply for food benefits, cash aid, and health coverage for eligible residents.
- Adult and Aging ServicesGet help with adult protective services, caregiver support, transportation, and other aging services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Public health · Nonprofit
WIC Merced
1235 West Main Street, Merced, CA 95340
Help here
- WIC nutrition assistanceGet nutrition support and food benefits for eligible pregnant people, infants, and children.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on wicmerced-mariposa.com
Child support · County office
Merced County Child Support Services
3368 North Highway 59, Suite A, Merced, CA 95348
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support orders, payments, and case information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of the County of Merced
405 U Street, Merced, CA 95341
Help here
- Affordable housing and vouchersFind affordable housing programs and apply for housing assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on merced-pha.com
Public health · County office
Merced County Department of Public Health
260 East 15th Street, Merced, CA 95341
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information about county health programs, vaccines, and public health resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
Mental health and recovery · County office
Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
301 East 13th Street, Merced, CA 95341
Help here
- Mental health and substance use servicesGet connected to mental health and substance use services for adults and youth.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmerced.com
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 Merced 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