Santa Cruz
Ask about Santa Cruz
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Santa Cruz and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Santa Cruz
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
Santa Cruz Municipal Utilities Customer Service
212 Locust St., Suite D, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzca.gov
Local office · City office
Economic Development and Housing
337 Locust St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- Housing and homelessness resourcesFind information about city housing and homelessness programs and resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzca.gov
Local office · City office
City of Santa Cruz Customer Service
809 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- City information and helpCall or visit for general questions about city services and departments.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzca.gov
Older adults · City office
Downtown Senior Center
301 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- Senior activities and servicesAdults can join senior classes, trips, technology help, and special service appointments.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzca.gov
Library · Regional office
Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Downtown Branch
224 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card and use books, digital resources, programs, and meeting rooms.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzpl.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks and Recreation Department
323 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- Classes, activities, and recreation programsRegister for city classes, activities, sports, and recreation programs.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzca.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Santa Cruz
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 Food Bank Santa Cruz County
800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, CA 95076
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 Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc.
406 Main Street, Suite 207, Watsonville, CA 95076
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Santa Cruz County Human Services Department
1000 Emeline Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- Public benefits and social servicesGet help applying for or managing public benefits and other social services.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzcountyca.gov
Child support · County office
Santa Cruz County Department of Child Support Services
28 Second Street, Suite 200, Watsonville, CA 95076
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support services and questions about your case.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dcss.santacruzcountyca.gov
Public health · County office
Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency
1080 Emeline Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- County health servicesContact the County health agency for public health information and health services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzhealth.org
Mental health and recovery · County office
Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Division
1400 Emeline Avenue, Suite K, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- Behavioral health servicesContact the County for behavioral health and substance use services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzhealth.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Santa Cruz County Law Library
701 Ocean Street, Room 70, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Help here
- Legal materials and researchUse legal materials and research resources at the County law library.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sclawlib.org
Older adults · Regional office
Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties
175 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076
Help here
- Older adult and caregiver supportGet information and referrals for older adults, caregivers, and other vulnerable residents.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on seniorscouncil.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.
- 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 Santa Cruz 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