Novato
Ask about Novato
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Novato and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Novato
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · Regional office
211 Bay Area
Help here
- Community service referralsCall 211 for help finding food, shelter, health care, jobs, senior services, and other local support.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211bayarea.org
Older adults · City office
Margaret Todd Senior Center
1560 Hill Road, Novato, CA 94947
Help here
- Senior programs and activitiesFind city programs and activities for older adults at the senior center.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on novato.gov
Utilities · City office
Novato Public Works Department
922 Machin Avenue, Novato, CA 94945
Help here
- Report a city service issueReport potholes, traffic signal problems, graffiti, or other non-emergency city repair needs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on novato.gov
Local office · City office
City of Novato Administrative Offices
922 Machin Avenue, Novato, CA 94945
Help here
- City information and customer serviceCall or visit City Hall for help finding the right city department or reporting a concern.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on novato.gov
State office
California DMV Novato Field Office
936 7th Street, Novato, CA 94947
Help here
- Driver licensing and identificationApply for or renew a driver license or state identification card at the DMV office.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on qr.dmv.ca.gov
Library · County office
Novato Library
1720 Novato Boulevard, Novato, CA 94947
Help here
- Library servicesVisit for books, public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, and library programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marinlibrary.org
Library · County office
South Novato Library
931 C Street, Novato, CA 94949
Help here
- Library servicesVisit for books, public computers, Wi-Fi, and library programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marinlibrary.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
922 Machin Avenue, Novato, CA 94945
Help here
- Classes, activities and recreation programsFind and register for city classes, activities and recreation programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on novato.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Novato first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center
Project Open Hand
21 miles from the center of Novato660 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
Hours
- Mon11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Tue11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Wed11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Fri11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Who can come: San Francisco residents ages 18 and older
Listed on openhand.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Booker T. Washington (Western Addition)
Booker T. Washington Community Service Center
22 miles from the center of Novato800 Presidio Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94115
Hours
- Fri3:30 PM to 6 PM
Who can come: Residents of 94115 or 94102, or people with a child in an afterschool program
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Chinatown YMCA - Groceries
Chinatown YMCA
22 miles from the center of Novato855 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Hours
- Tue11 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: Residents of 94108 or 94133
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The Richmond Neighborhood Center
22 miles from the center of Novato741 30th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121
Hours
- Fri1 PM to 3:30 PM
Who can come: Residents of 94121
Listed on sfhsa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Stanford Hotel
Project Open Hand
22 miles from the center of Novato250 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Hours
- Mon11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Tue11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Wed11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Fri11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Who can come: San Francisco residents ages 18 and older
Listed on openhand.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Ruth Brinker Meal Site
Project Open Hand
22 miles from the center of Novato771 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Hours
- Mon10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Tue10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Wed10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Fri10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Who can come: San Francisco residents ages 18 and older
Listed on openhand.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Novato
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
SF-Marin Food Bank
900 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94107
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
Community Action Marin
7665 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94945
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Marin County
Novato is in Marin County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Marin County Health and Human Services
3240 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901
Help here
- Public benefitsApply for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs or get help managing your benefits.Apply onlineRead more
- Public health servicesFind county health services, health guidance, and vaccination information.Read more
- Behavioral health servicesGet help finding mental health and substance use services.Read more
- Housing and homelessness supportGet assessed for housing and homelessness services and learn about available support.Read more
- Immigrant resourcesFind county information and resources for immigrant residents.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hhs.marincounty.gov
Public health · County office
Marin County WIC
3250 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportGet nutrition support and food benefits if you are pregnant, recently gave birth, or care for a young child.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marinhhs.org
Child support · County office
Marin County Child Support Services
88 Rowland Way, Suite 200, Novato, CA 94945
Help here
- Child support case servicesGet help opening or managing a child support case and enforcing a support order.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marincounty.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Marin Housing Authority
4020 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
Help here
- Housing assistanceAsk about public housing, rental assistance, and other housing programs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marinhousing.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Marin Superior Court Legal Self Help Center
Civic Center, Hall of Justice, Room C-44, San Rafael, CA 94903
Help here
- Legal self-helpGet free help with court forms, legal information, and court procedures if you do not have a lawyer.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marin.courts.ca.gov
Courts and legal help · Regional office
Marin County Law Library
20 North San Pedro Road, Suite 2007, San Rafael, CA 94903
Help here
- Public law libraryUse legal information resources and get help with legal research.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on marincountylawlibrary.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 Bay Area
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