Monterey County
Ask about Monterey County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Monterey County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Monterey County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Monterey County Department of Social Services, Community Benefits
1000 S. Main St., Suite 216, Salinas, CA 93901
Help here
- CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal and General AssistanceApply for food, cash and health coverage benefits or get help with an application.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.gov
Public health · County office
Monterey County WIC, Salinas
632 E. Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93905
Help here
- WIC nutrition assistanceAsk about food and nutrition support for eligible women, infants and children.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.gov
Child support · County office
Monterey County Department of Child Support Services
1441 Schilling Place, Salinas, CA 93901
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help starting, changing or enforcing a child support order.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Housing Authority of the County of Monterey
123 Rico Street, Salinas, CA 93907
Help here
- Affordable housingFind information about affordable housing programs and how to apply for housing assistance.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hamonterey.org
Public health · County office
Monterey County Health Department, Public Health
1270 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906
Help here
- Public health information and programsGet information about county public health programs, immunizations and communicable diseases.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Monterey County Behavioral Health
1441 Constitution Blvd., Building 400, Suite 202, Salinas, CA 93906
Help here
- Behavioral health access and servicesCall the Access Team to talk about mental health or substance use support and find services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
Monterey County Superior Court Self-Help Center
1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, CA 93940
Help here
- Court self-helpGet help finding court forms and understanding steps in some family, housing and civil cases.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on monterey.courts.ca.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
Monterey County Law Library
1200 Aguajito Road, Room 202, Monterey, CA 93940
Help here
- Legal research resourcesUse legal books, databases and forms for legal research and self-help.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Monterey County Area Agency on Aging
1000 S. Main Street, Suite 306, Salinas, CA 93901
Help here
- Aging and disability information and referralsGet information and referrals for services for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.gov
Emergency help · County office
Monterey County Department of Emergency Management
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and alertsFind local disaster information and sign up for county emergency alerts.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Salinas America's Job Center of California
928 E. Blanco Road, Suite 280, Salinas, CA 93901
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesGet help finding jobs and connecting with workforce services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on edd.ca.gov
State office
California DMV Salinas Field Office
260 E. Laurel Drive, Salinas, CA 93906
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or ID and handle vehicle registration services.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · County office
Monterey County Free Libraries
188 Seaside Circle, Marina, CA 93933
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card and use books, online resources, computers and learning programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofmonterey.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Monterey 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
Food Bank for Monterey County
353 W Rossi St., Salinas, CA 93907
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
Monterey County Community Action Partnership
1000 S. Main Street, Suite 301, Salinas, CA 93901
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Monterey 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 Monterey County
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 833-814-1211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988