Santa Barbara
Ask about Santa Barbara
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Santa Barbara and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Santa Barbara
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · City office
Housing & Human Services
630 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Rental housing mediationGet free help discussing a rental dispute with a landlord, tenant, or roommate.Read more
- Fair housing helpContact the city if you believe you faced discrimination when renting a home.Read more
- Affordable housing informationFind city information and resources about affordable rental and homeownership options.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santabarbaraca.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara
808 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Affordable housing and rental assistanceApply for public housing or rental assistance when a program is accepting applications.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hacsb.org
Utilities · City office
Utility Billing
735 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Water, sewer, and trash billsGet help with your city water, sewer, or trash bill and payment options.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santabarbaraca.gov
Local office · City office
City of Santa Barbara Customer Service (SB Connect)
735 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- City service requestsReport a city issue, request a service, or submit a complaint through SB Connect.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santabarbaraca.gov
Jobs and training · Regional office
Workforce Resource Center, Santa Barbara
130 East Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Job search and training helpGet help with job searches, resumes, education, and workforce training programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofsb.org
State office
California DMV Santa Barbara Field Office
535 Castillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Driver licensing and identificationApply for or renew a driver license or identification card at the DMV office.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · City office
Santa Barbara Public Library
40 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Library services and programsGet a library card, borrow books and other materials, and find free classes and events.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santabarbaraca.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks and Recreation Department
620 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Recreation programsFind city recreation classes, activities, and programs for residents of different ages.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santabarbaraca.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Santa Barbara
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
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
82 Coromar Drive, Goleta, CA 93117
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
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
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 Commission of Santa Barbara County, Inc.
602 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Department of Social Services
Help here
- Benefits and social servicesContact the department to apply for or manage county social services and benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on secure.countyofsb.org
Public health · County office
Public Health Department WIC Program
315 Camino Del Remedio, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportWIC offers food and nutrition education to eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofsb.org
Child support · County office
Department of Child Support Services
260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Help here
- Child support servicesThe office helps parents and guardians establish and manage child support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on childsupport.ca.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Department of Behavioral Wellness
Help here
- Behavioral health servicesCall the access line for crisis response or help connecting to county behavioral health services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santabarbaracounty.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
211 Santa Barbara County
Help here
- Local service information and referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with food, housing, health care, utilities, and other needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211santabarbaracounty.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Santa Barbara County Law Library
1100 Anacapa Street, 2nd Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Legal information and court formsResidents can use legal information, court forms, and research materials at the law library.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countylawlibrary.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 Santa Barbara 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