External resourceAvailable in selected locationsFree listed service
211 San Diego
Community resource navigation
Food, housing, health and other basic-needs referrals
San Diego County
Phone option
Who it’s for
People seeking local resources; service-provider eligibility varies
Cost
Free calls
Your next stepCall 211 or use official resource search
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- 211; accessibility connection through 711
- Important limits
- A referral service, not emergency dispatch. Providers decide eligibility and availability.
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsCosts vary
San Diego Housing Commission
City rental assistance and housing resources
Section 8 assistance information and alternative housing resources
Section 8: no new waiting-list selections
City of San Diego
In person
Who it’s for
Income/program rules and City jurisdiction; provider assesses eligibility
Cost
Participants pay determined rent share; other costs require confirmation
Your next stepReview current notices and official portal; existing applicants keep information updated
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- Official Contact Us and rental-assistance portal links
- Important limits
- SDHC is not selecting new families from its Section 8 waiting list and anticipates several more years without selections. This is not immediate housing.
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsConfirm cost with provider
Father Joe's Villages
Get Help services
Shelter inquiry, public meals, hygiene, health and employment services
San Diego
In person
Who it’s for
People experiencing homelessness/need; individual program intake required
Cost
Provider confirmation required by service
Your next stepFirst-time service check-in at Joan Kroc Center; shelter inquiry through listed centers
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- Official Get Help page lists service-specific contacts
- Important limits
- Shelter space not verified; first check-in and family/adult routes differ
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsConfirm cost with provider
San Diego Food Bank
Food Locator and assistance programs
Emergency grocery distribution locator and food-assistance routes
San Diego County
In person
Who it’s for
Eligibility varies by distribution/program; confirm before travel
Cost
Cost not confirmed for every distribution; check the selected site. FTC charges no navigation fee.
Your next stepUse Food Locator Map and verify chosen site instructions
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- Official Contact Us and distribution-site contacts
- Important limits
- Schedules, supplies and population restrictions vary
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsFree listed service
Feeding San Diego
Find Food
Free food distribution locator and community marketplace
San Diego County
In person
Who it’s for
Site rules differ; check distribution-specific eligibility
Cost
Free food
Your next stepSearch ZIP on map; follow chosen site's schedule/requirements
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- Official Find Help page; distribution contacts
- Important limits
- Check each distribution’s rules and hours. Holidays, weather and available supplies may affect service.
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsCosts vary
Family Health Centers of San Diego
Community healthcare
Family medicine, urgent/behavioral care and enrollment help
San Diego County; use clinic finder
In person
Who it’s for
Serves all with emphasis on uninsured/low-income; service/coverage rules vary
Cost
Affordable care; insurance/self-pay/sliding terms require confirmation
Your next stepCall to schedule or use clinic/appointment finder
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- 619-515-2300
- Important limits
- Appointment capacity and individual fees unknown; emergency care through emergency services
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsCosts vary
TrueCare
Community healthcare
Primary, dental, behavioral and other health services; enrollment help
North San Diego and Riverside counties; use locations list
In person
Who it’s for
New/existing patients; coverage/program eligibility requires confirmation
Cost
Insurance/self-pay terms require provider confirmation
Your next stepCall/text or use Schedule an Appointment
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- 760-736-6767
- Important limits
- Service location and costs vary; not emergency dispatch
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsFree listed service
Legal Aid Society of San Diego
Civil legal help
Housing, public benefits, consumer and other civil legal assistance
San Diego County
In person
Who it’s for
Low-income/vulnerable people; case eligibility and capacity screening
Cost
Free qualifying legal help
Your next stepCall intake or use relevant legal-help/clinic page
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- 877-534-2524; health issues877-734-3258
- Important limits
- Case acceptance not guaranteed; deadlines require prompt lawyer attention
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsFree option · other costs may apply
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
Transit fares and reduced-fare access
Bus/trolley fare, PRONTO and reduced-fare program information
MTS service area; some PRONTO programs shared with NCTD
In person
Who it’s for
Open fare service; reduced categories require documentation/eligibility
Cost
Standard fares apply. Reduced fares require eligibility; youth 18 and under may ride free with a Youth PRONTO app or card. Confirm current rules.
Your next stepUse Reduced Fares or youth/PRONTO program instructions
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Reduced-fare categories require eligibility verification. The youth offer requires a Youth PRONTO app or card; read current provider instructions.
- Contact provider
- 619-557-4555; PRONTO support: 619-595-5636
- Important limits
- Premium routes differ; discount eligibility and current fares require recheck
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsConfirm cost with provider
County of San Diego
CalFresh
Food-purchase assistance through EBT
San Diego County
Online option
Who it’s for
Low-income households; income/expense/household and current work/status rules apply
Cost
Benefit eligibility is determined by the County. Application cost not stated on the reviewed page; ask the County.
Your next stepUse Apply for CalFresh on county page or county benefits intake
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- Official Apply/Family Resource Center routes
- Important limits
- Rules changed; county determines eligibility; expedited benefits conditional
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsFree option · other costs may apply
County of San Diego
Medi-Cal
California Medicaid coverage and application information
San Diego County
Online option
Who it’s for
Income/category/property/status rules vary; county makes determination
Cost
Free/low-cost coverage; county says no fee to apply or renew
Your next stepUse How to Apply or Family Resource Centers
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- 866-262-9881
- Important limits
- Current rule/property-limit changes noted; do not promise coverage
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsConfirm cost with provider
County of San Diego
CalWORKs and Employment Services
Temporary family cash aid, employment services and housing-support information
San Diego County
Online option
Who it’s for
Eligible families with minor children; financial/other rules apply
Cost
Benefit application/participant obligations require county confirmation
Your next stepUse How to Apply or contact county benefits line
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- 866-262-9881
- Important limits
- Benefit levels, work requirements and housing-support capacity individualized
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsConfirm cost with provider
Brother Benno Foundation
North County basic-needs services
Meals, food market, hygiene, clothing/mail and supportive services
North San Diego County; Oceanside center
In person
Who it’s for
People experiencing homelessness, working poor and seniors; service-specific rules
Cost
Provider confirmation required by service
Your next stepReview service instructions; food first come/first served; some services need referral/appointment
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- 760-439-1244
- Important limits
- Check hours, registration and availability before travel
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable in selected locationsConfirm cost with provider
Women's Resource Center
Domestic-violence and sexual-assault support
Safety planning, counseling, shelter and survivor advocacy
North San Diego County
In person
Who it’s for
Women, children and men affected/threatened by domestic violence or sexual assault
Cost
Provider confirmation required
Your next stepContact 24-hour support line for confidential program intake
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Document requirements are not confirmed in this listing. Check the provider’s current instructions before applying; do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- 24-hour hotline: 760-757-3500
- Important limits
- Confirm shelter space and program intake directly. Use a safe device if someone monitors your browsing.
- Availability
- Service listed; current openings not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable nationwideFree listed service
United Way Worldwide / 211
Find your local 211
Use a nationwide navigation site to find the appropriate local 211 and community-resource information.
United States — nationwide online starting point
Online option · Phone option
Online navigation tool. Listed programs set their own service areas, formats and eligibility.
Who it’s for
People seeking community-resource information. Individual services set separate eligibility requirements.
Cost
Free online information. Programs or services found through it may have separate costs.
Your next stepSearch your ZIP code on the official local-211 finder or call 211 for guidance.
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Check the selected provider or opportunity for current document requirements. Do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- Call 211 or use the national website’s local search.
- Important limits
- Local contact options and services vary. FTC is not an emergency response service and cannot arrange assistance.
- Availability
- Online resource listed; individual openings, appointments and benefits are not confirmed.
- Official sources
External resourceAvailable nationwideFree listed service
U.S. General Services Administration / USAGov
Government benefits finder
Find official information about food, health, housing, education and other benefit programs and how to apply.
United States — nationwide online starting point
Online option
Online navigation tool. Listed programs set their own service areas, formats and eligibility.
Who it’s for
Eligibility is determined by the agency administering each benefit, not by FTC or a directory match.
Cost
Free online information. Programs or services found through it may have separate costs.
Your next stepSelect relevant categories in the USAGov benefit finder and follow the official application instructions.
Requirements, contact & sources
- Before you apply
- Check the selected provider or opportunity for current document requirements. Do not send documents to FTC.
- Contact provider
- Follow the agency contact linked from the selected benefit information.
- Important limits
- Information is a starting point, not an approval or eligibility decision. State and local rules may differ.
- Availability
- Online resource listed; individual openings, appointments and benefits are not confirmed.
- Official sources
