Shafter
Ask about Shafter
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Shafter and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Shafter
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
City of Shafter Utility Services
336 Pacific Ave., Shafter, CA 93263
Help here
- Water, sewer, and trash serviceApply for city water, sewer, or trash service, or ask for help with a utility bill.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on shafterca.gov
Older adults · Regional office
Walker Senior Center
505 Sunset Ave., Shafter, CA 93263
Help here
- Senior nutrition and wellness programsOlder adults can get meals and join wellness, exercise, and athletic programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on shafterca.gov
Jobs and training · County office
America's Job Center of Kern - Shafter
115 N. Central Valley Highway, Shafter, CA 93263
Help here
- Job search and training helpGet help looking for a job, finding training, and improving your work skills.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on americasjobcenterofkern.com
State office
California DMV Shafter Field Office
548 Walker St., Shafter, CA 93263
Help here
- Driver licensing and vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or ID, and get help with vehicle registration and other DMV services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · City office
Shafter Library & Learning Center
236 James St., Shafter, CA 93263
Help here
- Library and learning servicesUse the library, computers, printing, and learning programs.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on shafterlearning.com
Local office · City office
Shafter City Hall
336 Pacific Ave., Shafter, CA 93263
Help here
- City services and informationContact City Hall for help finding city departments, public meetings, and local services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on shafterca.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Shafter first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
The Hope Center
11 miles from the center of Shafter3311 Manor Street, Bakersfield, CA 93308
Hours
- Wed9:30 AM to 12 PM (2nd and 4th of the month)
What to bring: Bring an ID or a document with your name on it. Visits are limited to once every six months.
Listed on hopecenters.net, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, CA Food Pantry
First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, CA
12 miles from the center of Shafter5 Real Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Hours
- Wed8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. While supplies last
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on fccbakersfield-ucc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Neighborhood Café
First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, CA
12 miles from the center of Shafter5 Real Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Hours
- Thu6 PM to 7 PM (3rd of the month). First come, first served
Who can come: Everyone
What to bring: No sign-up or ID needed.
Listed on fccbakersfield-ucc.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno
13 miles from the center of Shafter825 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Hours
- Mon8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
- Tue8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
- Wed8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
- Thu8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
- Fri8:30 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 3:45 PM
What to bring: Bring identification, proof of address, and proof of income. Documents must be dated within the last 30 days.
Listed on ccdof.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Weekly Food Pantry
Stay Focused Ministries
13 miles from the center of Shafter1225 California Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93304
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 11 AM
- Wed1 PM to 3 PM
- Fri: times not listed, call first
Listed on stayfocused.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
The Salvation Army Bakersfield Corps Community Center Food Pantry
The Salvation Army Bakersfield Corps Community Center
13 miles from the center of Shafter4417 Wilson Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Hours
- Mon1 PM to 4 PM
- Tue1 PM to 4 PM
- Wed1 PM to 4 PM
- Thu1 PM to 4 PM
What to bring: For a first visit, bring a driver's license and proof of address. If other people live with you, bring a document with their names and birth dates.
Listed on salvationarmyusa.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Shafter
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
Central California Food Bank
4010 E. Amendola Ave., Fresno, CA 93725
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
Nonprofit
Greater Bakersfield 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 Partnership of Kern
1300 18th St., Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93309
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Kern County
Shafter is in Kern County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Kern County Department of Human Services
100 E. California Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307
Help here
- Public assistance benefitsApply for cash, food, and medical benefits through the county.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kcdhs.org
Child support · County office
Kern County Child Support Services
3701 N. Sillect Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93308
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support services and payments.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kerncounty.com
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of Kern
Help here
- Housing assistanceLearn about housing programs and how to apply for rental assistance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kernha.org
Public health · County office
Kern County Public Health Services
1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93306
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information about county health services and clinic schedules.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kernpublichealth.com
Mental health and recovery · County office
Kern County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
2021 28th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Help here
- Behavioral health servicesContact the county for behavioral health and recovery services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kernbhrs.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Kern County Superior Court Self-Help Center
1215 Truxtun Ave., 1st floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Help here
- Court self-helpGet help preparing forms for family law, guardianship, and small claims matters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kern.courts.ca.gov
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 Kern County
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 800-273-2275 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988