Santa Cruz County

Local offices in Santa Cruz County

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• 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
  Call 831-454-4130DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked 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.
  Call 866-901-3212DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked 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.
  Call 831-454-4100DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked 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.
  Call 831-454-4170DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked 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.
  Call 831-420-2205DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked 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.
  Call 831-688-0400DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on seniorscouncil.org

• Emergency help · County office

  Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness and responseFind County information about preparing for emergencies, response, and disaster recovery.
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzcountyca.gov

• Local office · Nonprofit

  211 Santa Cruz County

  Help here

  • Local service referralsCall 211 or search online to find local health, housing, food, and other services.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 211santacruzcounty.org

• Library · Regional office

  Santa Cruz Public Libraries

  117 Union Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

  Help here

  • Public library servicesUse the library system to find books, learning resources, and library programs.
  Call 831-427-7713DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on santacruzpl.org

County of Santa Cruz website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Santa Cruz County

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Cities and towns in Santa Cruz County

• Capitola
• Santa Cruz
• Scotts Valley
• Watsonville

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