Oakland
Ask about Oakland
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Oakland and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Oakland
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · City office
Oakland Human Services Department
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Food, family, and supportive servicesFind city food programs and connections to services for families and people who need support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Housing authority · City office
Housing & Community Development Department
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5313, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Housing counseling and affordable housing resourcesContact the city for help finding affordable housing resources and housing counseling.
- Tenant and homeowner resourcesFind city information about tenant protections, homebuyer help, and housing stability.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Housing authority · City office
Rent Adjustment Program
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5313, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Rent adjustment and tenant petitionsTenants can ask about rent increases, reduced housing services, and filing a petition.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Housing authority · City office
Oakland Housing Authority
1619 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Public housing and rental assistanceContact the Housing Authority about public housing and rental assistance programs.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oakha.org
Local office · Regional office
211 Alameda County
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with housing, food, health care, bills, and other needs.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on 211alamedacounty.org
Local office · City office
Employment Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance
150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Title VI civil rights complaintsCommunity members can use the city complaint process to report possible discrimination in city programs or services.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on apps.oaklandca.gov
Older adults · City office
Senior & Disability Services
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Information and assistance for older adultsGet help finding local services such as food, housing, and utility assistance.
- Oakland Paratransit for the Elderly & DisabledEligible older adults and people with disabilities can get help paying for some local rides.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Veterans · Nonprofit
Swords to Plowshares America’s Job Center
331 Franklin Street, Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94607
Help here
- Veteran employment servicesVeterans can get help with job search, career coaching, and training.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on swords-to-plowshares.org
Local office · City office
Neighborhood Services Division
Help here
- Neighborhood councils and safety resourcesGet information about neighborhood councils and city resources for working on local concerns.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Local office · City office
OAK 311 Customer Service
7101 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA 94621
Help here
- Report a city service issueReport problems such as illegal dumping, potholes, abandoned vehicles, or broken traffic signals.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Human services · City office
Child and Youth Services
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Head Start and Early Head StartEligible families can apply for free early learning and family support for young children.Apply online
- Summer Food Service ProgramChildren 18 and under can get free meals at Oakland summer meal sites.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Immigrant services · City office
Immigrant Rights and Resources
Help here
- Immigrant rights informationFind city information and links to rights, protections, and immigrant community resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Jobs and training · City office
Workforce Development Division
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Jobs and training · Nonprofit
Oakland Private Industry Council America’s Job Center
1000 Broadway, Suite 625, Oakland, CA 94607
Help here
- Job search and training servicesGet help with job listings, resumes, career coaching, and finding training.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandpic.org
Jobs and training · Nonprofit
The Unity Council America’s Job Center
1900 Fruitvale Avenue, Suite 2A, Oakland, CA 94601
Help here
- Job search and training servicesGet help with job listings, resumes, career coaching, and finding training.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on unitycouncil.org
Jobs and training · Nonprofit
Lao Family Community Development America’s Job Center
2325 East 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94601
Help here
- Job search and training servicesGet help with job listings, resumes, career coaching, and finding training.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on lfcd.org
State office · State office
California DMV Oakland Field Office
5300 Claremont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
Help here
- Driver licenses and identificationApply for or renew a California driver license or identification card at the field office.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · City office
Oakland Public Library
125 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Library system servicesGet a library card and use books, computers, research help, and library programs across Oakland.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandlibrary.org
Local office · City office
Parking & Mobility Assistance Center
270 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Universal Basic MobilityEligible Oaklanders can pick up prepaid cards for public transit and shared rides.
- Low-income traffic fine discountEligible residents can request a lower amount for certain city traffic fines.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 3330, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on oaklandca.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Oakland
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
Alameda County Community Food Bank
7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA 94621
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
Bay Area Legal Aid
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
Berkeley Community Action Agency
2180 Milvia Street, 2nd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
City of Oakland, Department of Human Services
150 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 4340, Oakland, CA 94612-2019
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Alameda County
Oakland is in Alameda County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Alameda County Social Services Agency
2000 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Public benefitsApply for CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and other county benefits.Apply online
- Immigrant and refugee servicesGet help finding financial assistance, health care, employment support, and other services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on socialservices.alamedacountyca.gov
Public health · County office
Alameda County WIC
39155 Liberty Street, Suite D-470, Fremont, CA 94538
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportGet nutrition support and food benefits if you are pregnant, recently gave birth, or caring for a young child.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.gov
Child support · County office
Alameda County Child Support Services
5669 Gibraltar Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588
Help here
- Child supportGet help starting, changing, or enforcing a child support case.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on childsupport.alamedacountyca.gov
Housing authority · County office
Housing Authority of the County of Alameda
22941 Atherton Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Help here
- Housing assistanceGet information about housing assistance programs and applications.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on haca.net
Public health · County office
Alameda County Public Health Department
1100 San Leandro Boulevard, San Leandro, CA 94577
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information and referrals for county public health services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services
2000 Embarcadero Cove, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94606
Help here
- Mental health and substance use referralsCall for help finding mental health care or substance use treatment.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.gov
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.
- GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
- TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
- 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.
- LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.
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 Alameda 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