San Rafael
Ask about San Rafael
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for San Rafael and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in San Rafael
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
City Hall
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Help here
- City information and helpContact City Hall for general questions or help finding the right city department.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sanrafael.gov
State office
California Department of Motor Vehicles, San Rafael Field Office
99 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael, CA 94903
Help here
- Driver licensing and identificationVisit the DMV for driver license and identification services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · City office
San Rafael Public Library
1100 E Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the library to use its collections, programs, and public services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sanrafael.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
San Rafael Library and Recreation Department
618 B Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Help here
- Recreation programsAsk about city recreation programs, activities, and community center services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sanrafael.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of San Rafael first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center
Project Open Hand
13 miles from the center of San Rafael660 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
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
Food pantry
Booker T. Washington (Western Addition)
Booker T. Washington Community Service Center
14 miles from the center of San Rafael800 Presidio Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94115
Hours
- Fri3:30 PM to 6 PM
Who can come: Residents of 94115 or 94102, or people with a child in an afterschool program
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Chinatown YMCA - Groceries
Chinatown YMCA
14 miles from the center of San Rafael855 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Hours
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: Residents of 94108 or 94133
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The Richmond Neighborhood Center
14 miles from the center of San Rafael741 30th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121
Hours
- Fri1 PM to 3:30 PM
Who can come: Residents of 94121
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Stanford Hotel
Project Open Hand
14 miles from the center of San Rafael250 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
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
Ruth Brinker Meal Site
Project Open Hand
14 miles from the center of San Rafael771 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Hours
- Mon10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Tue10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Wed10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Fri10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Who can come: San Francisco residents ages 18 and older
Listed on openhand.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve San Rafael
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
SF-Marin Food Bank
900 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94107
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
Community Action Marin
7665 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Marin County
San Rafael is in Marin County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Marin County Health and Human Services
3240 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901
Help here
- Public benefitsApply for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs or get help managing your benefits.Apply onlineRead more
- Public health servicesFind county health services, health guidance, and vaccination information.Read more
- Behavioral health servicesGet help finding mental health and substance use services.Read more
- Housing and homelessness supportGet assessed for housing and homelessness services and learn about available support.Read more
- Immigrant resourcesFind county information and resources for immigrant residents.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.marincounty.gov
Public health · County office
Marin County WIC
3250 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportGet nutrition support and food benefits if you are pregnant, recently gave birth, or care for a young child.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marinhhs.org
Child support · County office
Marin County Child Support Services
88 Rowland Way, Suite 200, Novato, CA 94945
Help here
- Child support case servicesGet help opening or managing a child support case and enforcing a support order.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marincounty.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Marin Housing Authority
4020 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
Help here
- Housing assistanceAsk about public housing, rental assistance, and other housing programs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marinhousing.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Marin Superior Court Legal Self Help Center
Civic Center, Hall of Justice, Room C-44, San Rafael, CA 94903
Help here
- Legal self-helpGet free help with court forms, legal information, and court procedures if you do not have a lawyer.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marin.courts.ca.gov
Courts and legal help · Regional office
Marin County Law Library
20 North San Pedro Road, Suite 2007, San Rafael, CA 94903
Help here
- Public law libraryUse legal information resources and get help with legal research.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marincountylawlibrary.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