Alameda County
Ask about Alameda County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Alameda County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Alameda County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Alameda County Social Services Agency
2000 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Help here
- Public benefitsApply for CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and other county benefits.Apply online
- Immigrant and refugee servicesGet help finding financial assistance, health care, employment support, and other services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on socialservices.alamedacountyca.gov
Public health · County office
Alameda County WIC
39155 Liberty Street, Suite D-470, Fremont, CA 94538
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportGet nutrition support and food benefits if you are pregnant, recently gave birth, or caring for a young child.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.gov
Child support · County office
Alameda County Child Support Services
5669 Gibraltar Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588
Help here
- Child supportGet help starting, changing, or enforcing a child support case.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on childsupport.alamedacountyca.gov
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of Alameda
22941 Atherton Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Help here
- Housing assistanceGet information about housing assistance programs and applications.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on haca.net
Local office · Regional office
211 Alameda County
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with housing, food, health care, bills, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211alamedacounty.org
Public health · County office
Alameda County Public Health Department
1100 San Leandro Boulevard, San Leandro, CA 94577
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information and referrals for county public health services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services
2000 Embarcadero Cove, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94606
Help here
- Mental health and substance use referralsCall for help finding mental health care or substance use treatment.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on health.alamedacountyca.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Alameda County Law Library
125 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Help here
- Legal information and researchUse legal books, databases, and guides for legal research and court forms.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lawlibrary.alamedacountyca.gov
Older adults · County office
Alameda County Area Agency on Aging
6955 Foothill Boulevard, Suite 143, Oakland, CA 94605
Help here
- Information and assistance for older adultsFind local services and support for older adults and family caregivers.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on socialservices.alamedacountyca.gov
Veterans · County office
Alameda County Veterans Service Office
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help finding and applying for veterans benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on socialservices.alamedacountyca.gov
Emergency help · County office
Alameda County Office of Emergency Services
4985 Broder Boulevard, Dublin, CA 94568
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and alertsFind emergency alerts and information to prepare for disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ready.acgov.org
Jobs and training · Regional office
Eden Area America's Job Center of California
24100 Amador Street, 3rd Floor, Hayward, CA 94544
Help here
- Job search and training supportGet help with job searches, career training, and finding work.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on acwdb.org
State office
California DMV Hayward Field Office
150 Jackson Street, Hayward, CA 94544
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesVisit for driver license, identification card, and vehicle services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · County office
Alameda County Library
Help here
- Library servicesGet library information, reading resources, and help from library staff.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on aclibrary.org
Alameda County Government website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals in Alameda County, closest to the center of Oakland first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Fruitvale Pantry
0.7 miles from the center of Oakland2744 East 11th St, Oakland, CA 94601
Hours
- Thu6 PM to 7 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Jose Mendoza Pantry
0.8 miles from the center of Oakland1006 50th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601
Hours
- Tue12 PM to 1 PM (4th of the month)
Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
New Testament
1.7 miles from the center of Oakland1901 62nd Ave, Oakland, CA 94621
Hours
- Thu12 PM to 1 PM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
The East Oakland Collective
3.2 miles from the center of Oakland7800 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94605
Hours
- Thu11 AM to 2 PM. Prepared hot meals
Who can come: Unhoused people
Listed on eastoaklandcollective.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Oakland Hot Meal Service
CityTeam
3.4 miles from the center of Oakland722 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Sundays: Breakfast 7:00am & Dinner 6:30pm. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: Breakfast 7:00am, Lunch 12:00pm, Dinner 6:30pm.
Listed on cityteam.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Community Kitchens Central Kitchen
Community Kitchens
3.8 miles from the center of Oakland2270 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612
Hours
- Mon11:30 AM to 2 PM
- Tue11:30 AM to 2 PM
- Wed11:30 AM to 2 PM
- Thu11:30 AM to 2 PM
- Sun11:30 AM to 2 PM
Who can come: Oakland’s most underserved community members
Listed on ckoakland.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Alameda 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
Alameda County Community Food Bank
7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA 94621
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
Berkeley Community Action Agency
2180 Milvia Street, 2nd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
City of Oakland, Department of Human Services
150 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 4340, Oakland, CA 94612-2019
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Alameda 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 Alameda 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