San Carlos
Ask about San Carlos
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for San Carlos and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in San Carlos
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
City of San Carlos Customer Service
600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
Help here
- General city questions and service requestsCall the city’s general line for help finding the right city service or reporting a local problem.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofsancarlos.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Parks and Recreation
600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
Help here
- Recreation programs and fee assistanceRegister for city classes and activities, and ask about help paying program fees.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofsancarlos.org
Older adults · City office
Adult Community Center
601 Chestnut Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
Help here
- Programs and services for older adultsVisit or call the center to learn about programs and services for older adults.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofsancarlos.org
Library · Regional office
San Carlos Library
610 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
Help here
- Library services and programsUse the library for books, public resources, and community programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcl.org
Housing authority · City office
Housing and Economic Development
600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
Help here
- Housing informationContact the city for information about local housing resources and programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofsancarlos.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Offices for all of San Mateo County
San Carlos is in San Mateo County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Human Services Agency
1500 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404
Help here
- Public assistanceApply for CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and General Assistance.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Public health · County office
San Mateo County Health
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA 94403
Help here
- Health services and public health programsFind county health programs, medical services, and public health information.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.org
Public health · County office
San Mateo County WIC Program
306 Spruce Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children nutrition supportEligible families with young children can get healthy food, nutrition information, and breastfeeding support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.org
Housing authority · County office
Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo
264 Harbor Boulevard, Belmont, CA 94002
Help here
- Rental assistanceApply for open housing voucher waitlists and get help with rental assistance applications.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Mental health and recovery · County office
Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 235, San Mateo, CA 94403
Help here
- Mental health and substance use supportCall for an assessment and referral to mental health or substance use care.
- 24-hour crisis supportCall the county crisis line any time for help with a mental health or substance use crisis.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.org
Veterans · County office
San Mateo County Veterans Services Office
550 Quarry Road, San Carlos, CA 94002
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help applying for veterans benefits and referrals to related services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.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 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