Santa Barbara County
Ask about Santa Barbara County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Santa Barbara County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Santa Barbara County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Department of Social Services
Help here
- Benefits and social servicesContact the department to apply for or manage county social services and benefits.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on secure.countyofsb.org
Public health · County office
Public Health Department WIC Program
315 Camino Del Remedio, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportWIC offers food and nutrition education to eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofsb.org
Child support · County office
Department of Child Support Services
260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Help here
- Child support servicesThe office helps parents and guardians establish and manage child support.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on childsupport.ca.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Department of Behavioral Wellness
Help here
- Behavioral health servicesCall the access line for crisis response or help connecting to county behavioral health services.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santabarbaracounty.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
211 Santa Barbara County
Help here
- Local service information and referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with food, housing, health care, utilities, and other needs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on 211santabarbaracounty.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Santa Barbara County Law Library
1100 Anacapa Street, 2nd Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Legal information and court formsResidents can use legal information, court forms, and research materials at the law library.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on countylawlibrary.org
Older adults · Regional office
Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens Area Agency on Aging
528 S. Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Help here
- Aging services and referralsThe agency connects older adults and caregivers with local support, meals, and health promotion services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on centralcoastseniors.org
Veterans · County office
Veterans' Services Program
624 W. Foster Road, Suite A, Santa Maria, CA 93455
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceThe office helps veterans apply for and maintain benefits they may qualify for.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on santabarbaracounty.gov
Community action · Nonprofit
Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County
1030 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on capslo.org
Housing authority · County office
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofsb.org
Jobs and training · Regional office
America's Job Center of California, Santa Barbara
128 E. Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Job search and training servicesThe job center connects job seekers with employment services and training resources.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on edd.ca.gov
State office · State office
Santa Barbara DMV Field Office
535 Castillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesResidents can visit for driver license, identification, and vehicle registration services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
County of Santa Barbara website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Santa Barbara 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
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
82 Coromar Drive, Goleta, CA 93117
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
Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County, Inc.
602 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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