Times are challenging for many in our community as the cost of living continues to rise, particularly for necessities such as food, housing, transportation, utilities, mental and physical health care, and education. While I pursue state legislation to reduce the cost of living, you may need help today to get by. Below are available resources my office has compiled which you may qualify for to receive help on life's necessities.
In addition to the below resources, you can always Call 211 or Text Message 211 from your phone to get help or visit 211 Bay Area's website (Español). You can also find additional local resources at FindHelp.org.
Veterans: If you are a veteran of the United States armed forces, or a dependent or survivor of a veteran, and you need assistance, reach out to the Santa Clara County Office of Veterans Services for assistance or call them at: (408) 918-4980.
The Emergency Assistance Network (EAN) of Silicon Valley provides variety of services to assistance to Silicon Valley residents that need help to prevent homelessness, utility disconnections, and hunger. The EAN Network can provide: one-time rent and mortgage payment assistance; help with move-in costs including rental deposits; one-time utility assistance; and on-site information and referrals to eligible programs including Medi-Cal, CalFresh (FoodStamps), and local food pantries. Other services may include food distributions, job training, employment assistance, low income utility programs, after school care, backpacks and school supplies, housing search assistance, and temporary shelter services. Click here to view a flyer to find contact information for a local provider based on your primary Zip Code and get more information.
The State of California has numerous programs through BenefitsCal website, including CalFresh (Food), Medi-Cal (Healthcare), CalWorks (Cash Aid). See available State of California programs and apply on the BenefitsCal website (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; 한국어; Tagalog; हिन्दी).
Santa Clara County Social Services Agency provides local in-person help applying for public benefit programs Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM except for County holidays, at the following locations:
Benefits Assistance Center – 1867 Senter Road, San Jose CA 95112
General Assistance Services – 1919 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112
North County Office – 1330 W. Middlefield Road, Mountain View, CA 94043
South County Office – 379 Tomkins Court, Gilroy, CA 95020
You can also reach Santa Clara County Social Services Agency via phone at: (408) 758-3800
Continue below to get help with food, housing, unemployment or cash, transportation, utilities, mental and physical health, and/or education.
Get help with food
As someone that has lived through not knowing when I would get my next meal in the past, no one should be without food. Community partners across the district are stepping up to provide free groceries and hot meals. Whether you need a one-time bag of food or ongoing support, local food banks can help bridge the gap.
LOCAL FOOD BANK: Santa Clara County residents are served by Second Harvest of Silicon Valley food bank which has hundreds of local sites to pick-up free food items and meals. Get more details on where, when and how you can get the food you need at: shfb.org/get-food
Obtenga la comida y la nutrición que necesita: tinyurl.com/comida-shfb
Nhận thức ăn và dinh dưỡng bạn cần: tinyurl.com/doan-shfb
获得所需的食物和营养: tinyurl.com/shewu
필요한 음식과 영양분을 섭취하세요: tinyurl.com/bap-shfb
Kunin ang pagkain at nutrisyon na kailangan mo: tinyurl.com/pagkain-shfb
FOR SENIOR CITIZENS: If you are 60 or older and live in the County of Santa Clara, you can enjoy a healthy meal at over 35 locations or qualify for home delivered meals through the Senior Nutrition Program.
The State of California has the CalFresh program, supported by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and commonly referred to as food stamps, to help people get access to food. Learn more and apply to CalFresh (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; 한국어; Tagalog; हिन्दी).
Get help with housing
Santa Clara County has programs to assist residents facing housing insecurity and homelessness.
The quickest way to get help with housing programs in Santa Clara County is through the Here4You Hotline by calling (408) 385-2400 daily between 9 AM and 7 PM. They will provide you with help if you are facing homelessness, need emergency shelter including warming/cooling centers, or refer you to housing assistance programs as well as other eligible resources.
AT-RISK OF LOSING HOUSING? If you are at-risk of losing your existing housing and need help maintaining your existing housing, the Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文) provides assistance including temporary financial assistance, legal support, and other resources. Visit their website, call (408) 516-5100 or email info@preventhomelessness.org to get help. This flyer and this County website contain detailed information including eligibility.
HOMELESS? If you are experiencing homelessness right now, Santa Clara County has a coordinated assessment process to help match you to permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing programs, shelters and transitional housing programs. Get details about the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing or call them at (408) 278-6400.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING/FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNER PROGRAMS: Santa Clara County has affordable housing programs including to support homeownership for lower income households. The California Housing Finance Agency also operates programs to support homeownership including loan programs and first-time homeowner downpayment assistance programs including the Dream for All Appreciation Loan program.
Get help with unemployment or cash
The State of California's CalWorks program (Español; Tiếng Việt; 中文; 한국어; Tagalog; हिन्दी) provides cash to pay for rent, housing, food, clothing, medical payments, and utilities for families with at least one child in the home. There are other cash aid programs that you may qualify for, like: General Assistance/General Relief (GA/GR) for single adults; Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP); or the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program.
Get help with transportation
Get help with utilities
Get help with mental and physical health care
Get help with education
