Downey

Local offices in Downey

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

• Human services · City office

  Downey Homeless Services

  Help here

  • Homeless outreach and supportRequest outreach, case management, and connections to shelter, health, and other services.
  Call 562-299-6770Website

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

• Housing help · City office

  Downey Housing Division

  11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA 90241

  Help here

  • Housing rehabilitation assistanceEligible homeowners can ask about grants for needed health and safety repairs to their homes.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 562-904-7161DirectionsWebsite

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

• Utilities · City office

  City of Downey Water Billing

  11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA 90241

  Help here

  • Water service and billingCall or visit for help with starting or closing water service and paying water bills.
  Call 562-904-7246DirectionsWebsite

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

• Local office · City office

  Downey City Hall

  11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA 90241

  Help here

  • City information and service requestsContact the city for general information or to submit a service request.Read more
  Call 562-869-7331DirectionsWebsite

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

• Older adults · City office

  Barbara J. Riley Community & Senior Center

  7810 Quill Drive, Downey, CA 90242

  Help here

  • Programs and services for adults age 50 and olderAdults age 50 and older can take part in recreation, social activities, computer access, and meal programs.
  Call 562-904-7223DirectionsWebsite

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

• Library · City office

  Downey City Library

  11121 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA 90241

  Help here

  • Library services and programsGet a library card, borrow books and digital materials, use computers, and join library programs.
  Call 562-904-7360DirectionsWebsite

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

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Downey Parks & Recreation Department

  7850 Quill Drive, Downey, CA 90242

  Help here

  • Recreation classes and programsRegister for city recreation classes, activities, and programs.Apply online
  Call 562-904-7238DirectionsWebsite

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

City of Downey website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

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

• Food pantry

  Grocery Grab N' Go at McKinley Elementary School

  Help Me Help You

  4.4 miles from the center of Downey

  6822 N. Paramount Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90805

  Hours

  • Fri2 PM to 3 PM (2nd and 4th of the month). Walk-up only

  Who can come: People in need

  What to bring: No registration, ID, or proof of income needed. Sign in and answer a few questions.

  Languages: Spanish

  Call 562-612-5001DirectionsWebsite

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

• Free grocery market

  Free Farmer's Market

  Light and Life Christian Fellowship

  5.3 miles from the center of Downey

  5951 Downey Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90805

  Hours

  • Sat10 AM to 12 PM (2nd of the month)
  Call 562-630-6074DirectionsWebsite

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

• Food pantry

  Weekly Food Distribution

  Light and Life Christian Fellowship

  5.3 miles from the center of Downey

  5951 Downey Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90805

  Hours

  • Wed10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

  What to bring: Register weekly

  Call 562-630-6074DirectionsWebsite

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

• Food pantry

  Community Resource Center in East L.A.

  Community Resource Center

  6.1 miles from the center of Downey

  4801 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

  DirectionsWebsite

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

• Free grocery market

  Food Ministry (Food Bank)

  Cherry Carson Assembly of God Church

  7.6 miles from the center of Downey

  4103 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807

  Hours

  • Sun12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Arrive early for a ticket

  Who can come: Anyone who needs groceries

  What to bring: No ID or special requirements. Bring shopping bags and arrive early for a ticket. People attending the service get the first tickets.

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on cherrycarson.church, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Universal Community Health Center Food Pantry

  Universal Community Health Center

  9.5 miles from the center of Downey

  1919 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

  DirectionsWebsite

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

Nonprofits that serve Downey

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

Offices for all of Los Angeles County

Downey 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
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cssd.lacounty.gov

• 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.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211la.org

• 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
  Call 213-752-1900DirectionsWebsite

  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
  Call 626-262-4511DirectionsWebsite

  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
  Call 833-540-0473Website

  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
  Call 800-854-7771DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmh.lacounty.gov

Everything in Los Angeles 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