San Mateo County
Ask about San Mateo County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for San Mateo County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in San Mateo County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
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
Child support · County office
Department of Child Support Services
555 County Center, 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support orders, payments, and your child support case.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Emergency help · County office
Department of Emergency Management
501 Winslow Street, Floor 1, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationGet information to prepare for emergencies and find county alerts and response resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Community action · County office
San Mateo County Community Action Agency
Help here
- Community action and self-sufficiency supportThe county agency supports programs that help residents address poverty and prevent or end homelessness.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Immigrant services · County office
Office of Community Affairs Immigrant Services
500 County Center, 5th Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Immigrant resident information and referralsGet information and referrals to services and resources for immigrant residents.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Library · Regional office
San Mateo County Libraries
Help here
- Library servicesContact the county library system for library cards, collections, programs, and help using library services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcl.org
Courts and legal help · County office
San Mateo County Law Library
710 Hamilton Street, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Public law libraryUse legal books and research resources to learn about the law and court procedures.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smclawlibrary.org
Older adults · County office
San Mateo County Area Agency on Aging
2000 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Suite 210, San Mateo, CA 94403
Help here
- Aging and disability servicesGet information and referrals for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smchealth.org
State office · State office
San Mateo DMV Field Office
425 N Amphlett Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94401
Help here
- Driver licensing and motor vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or ID and handle vehicle registration and title services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Courts and legal help · State office
San Mateo County Superior Court Self-Help Center
400 County Center, Floor 2, Redwood City, CA 94063
Help here
- Child support court self-helpFind information and court forms for child support matters.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sanmateo.courts.ca.gov
Jobs and training · County office
Human Services Agency Employment Services Resource Center, San Mateo
1500 Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94404
Help here
- Job search and employment helpGet free help with job searches, resumes, career planning, and employment workshops.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on smcgov.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Cities and towns in San Mateo 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.
- 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