San Mateo
Ask about San Mateo
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for San Mateo and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in San Mateo
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
Housing Division
Help here
- Affordable housing and home repair programsAsk about affordable housing, minor home repairs, and home ownership programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofsanmateo.org
Local office · City office
San Mateo City Hall
330 W 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
Help here
- City information and service requestsCall the city with general questions or use its online portal to report a local issue.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofsanmateo.org
Older adults · City office
San Mateo Senior Center
2645 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA 94403
Help here
- Senior programs and classesAdults age 50 and older can visit for activities, classes, and social programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofsanmateo.org
Jobs and training · Regional office
NOVAworks San Mateo
1777 Borel Place, Suite 500, San Mateo, CA 94402
Help here
- Career and job seeker servicesJob seekers can get career advising, job search workshops, and training referrals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on novaworks.org
State office
California DMV San Mateo Field Office
425 N Amphlett Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94401
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesVisit for driver licensing, testing, vehicle registration, and title services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · City office
San Mateo Public Library
55 W 3rd Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the city library for books, reference help, and library programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofsanmateo.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks and Recreation Department
Help here
- Recreation programs and facilitiesFind city recreation classes, activities, and facility information.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofsanmateo.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of San Mateo first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Visitacion Valley Community Center
Project Open Hand
12 miles from the center of San Mateo66 Raymond Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94134
Hours
- Mon11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Tue11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Wed11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Fri11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Who can come: San Francisco residents ages 18 and older
Listed on openhand.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Mother Brown's Dining Room
12 miles from the center of San Mateo2111 Jennings Street, San Francisco, CA 94124
Hours
- Mon7 AM to 9 AM; 5 PM to 7 PM
- Tue7 AM to 9 AM; 5 PM to 7 PM
- Wed7 AM to 9 AM; 5 PM to 7 PM
- Thu7 AM to 9 AM; 5 PM to 7 PM
- Fri7 AM to 9 AM; 5 PM to 7 PM
- Sat7 AM to 9 AM; 4 PM to 6 PM
- Sun7 AM to 9 AM; 4 PM to 6 PM
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free grocery market
D10 Community Market
13 miles from the center of San Mateo5030 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94124
Hours
- Mon1 PM to 6 PM
- Fri1 PM to 6 PM
Who can come: Low-income community members who meet the market's eligibility criteria
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Mission Action: Casa Colibrí
Mission Action
13 miles from the center of San Mateo5630 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94112
Hours
- Wed9 AM to 12 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Who can come: Mission Action program participants and community members connected to Casa Colibrí
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Self-Help for the Elderly (Excelsior)
Self-Help for the Elderly
13 miles from the center of San Mateo5050 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94112
Hours
- Wed1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Every other week
Who can come: People who can provide proof of address in 94112
What to bring: Proof of address in 94112
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Excelsior Community Center
Project Open Hand
13 miles from the center of San Mateo4466 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94112
Hours
- Mon11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Tue11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Wed11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Fri11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Who can come: San Francisco residents
Listed on openhand.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve San Mateo
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 Silicon Valley
750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
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
San Mateo County Human Services Agency
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of San Mateo County
San Mateo is in San Mateo County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Human Services Agency
1500 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404
Help here
- Public assistanceApply for CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and General Assistance.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Public health · County office
San Mateo County WIC Program
306 Spruce Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children nutrition supportEligible families with young children can get healthy food, nutrition information, and breastfeeding support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.org
Child support · County office
Department of Child Support Services
555 County Center, 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support orders, payments, and your child support case.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Community action · County office
San Mateo County Community Action Agency
Help here
- Community action and self-sufficiency supportThe county agency supports programs that help residents address poverty and prevent or end homelessness.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo
264 Harbor Boulevard, Belmont, CA 94002
Help here
- Rental assistanceApply for open housing voucher waitlists and get help with rental assistance applications.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Public health · County office
San Mateo County Health
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA 94403
Help here
- Health services and public health programsFind county health programs, medical services, and public health information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.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 Bay Area
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