San Mateo County
Ask about San Mateo County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for San Mateo County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in San Mateo County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
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
Mental health and recovery · County office
Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 235, San Mateo, CA 94403
Help here
- Mental health and substance use supportCall for an assessment and referral to mental health or substance use care.
- 24-hour crisis supportCall the county crisis line any time for help with a mental health or substance use crisis.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.org
Courts and legal help · County office
San Mateo County Law Library
710 Hamilton Street, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Public law libraryUse legal books and research resources to learn about the law and court procedures.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smclawlibrary.org
Courts and legal help · State office
San Mateo County Superior Court Self-Help Center
400 County Center, Floor 2, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Child support court self-helpFind information and court forms for child support matters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sanmateo.courts.ca.gov
Older adults · County office
San Mateo County Area Agency on Aging
2000 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Suite 210, San Mateo, CA 94403
Help here
- Aging and disability servicesGet information and referrals for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.org
Veterans · County office
San Mateo County Veterans Services Office
550 Quarry Road, San Carlos, CA 94002
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help applying for veterans benefits and referrals to related services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Emergency help · County office
Department of Emergency Management
501 Winslow Street, Floor 1, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationGet information to prepare for emergencies and find county alerts and response resources.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Immigrant services · County office
Office of Community Affairs Immigrant Services
500 County Center, 5th Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Immigrant resident information and referralsGet information and referrals to services and resources for immigrant residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Jobs and training · County office
Human Services Agency Employment Services Resource Center, San Mateo
1500 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404
Help here
- Job search and employment helpGet free help with job searches, resumes, career planning, and employment workshops.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
State office
San Mateo DMV Field Office
425 N Amphlett Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94401
Help here
- Driver licensing and motor vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or ID and handle vehicle registration and title services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · Regional office
San Mateo County Libraries
Help here
- Library servicesContact the county library system for library cards, collections, programs, and help using library services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on smcl.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in San Mateo County, 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 County
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
Cities and towns in San Mateo 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
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