Find where to get help with housing costs (mortgages, rent, or security deposits), utility bills, transportation expenses (free gas or bus passes), and even groceries in Santa Clara County. Below is a list of charities, churches or government programs that help low to moderate income families in the San Jose community pay the bills. They provide grant money along with case management and learn more below on where to get financial help near where you live in Santa Clara County.

A major focus is on basic needs, such as food and housing for people in San Jose, Sunnyvale, and the Mountain View CA area. Another goal is to help stabilize the residents, so there is also support for employment, applications to short term benefits from Social Services, and more.

Places in the San Jose area and Santa Clara County that provide financial help with bills

Tenants have options for rent payment help. Both private funds and government grants may be available for preventing homelessness. Charity agencies and the government also help with security deposits, storage or moving costs, and other housing related costs. In addition to the San Jose and Santa Clara organizations listed below read about more places to call for rent help in San Jose and Santa Clara County.

HomeFirst of San Jose supports the metropolitan area. The non-profit offers various affordable, yet emergency housing solutions. There may be cash grants to pay rent for a new, affordable apartment. The currently homeless can receive help with a security deposit or access to homeless shelters or transitional housing. Other services from Homefirst include One Stop Job centers, assistance for veterans, and more. Continue with details on HomeFirst rent and housing help.
Temporary housing programs can assist individuals/families that were evicted and the homeless. Services range from shelters for the unhoused in San Jose to transitional housing programs in Santa Clara County. Case managers from the non-profit agencies can help clients find, and pay the rent or security deposits, on new, permanent housing units once leaving the temporary lodging too. Continue to learn more about Santa Clara temporary housing programs.

Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altosoffers emergency help with bills. This includes grant money and runs programs that offer safety-net services to low-income individuals and seniors. The agency ensures that those individuals who are facing economic challenges have support provided to them.

The assistance from CSA help people that are impacted with financial emergencies or hardships. A focus is on single moms, the elderly on a fixed income and people with no money in Santa Clara County. The goal is to help them maintain independence and self sufficiency over the long term. Call them at (650) 968-0836 with the address at 204 Stierlin Rd, Mountain View, CA 94043. More info on programs from Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos.

LifeMoves (formerly the InnVision The Way Home) provides a variety of emergency financial assistance programs as well as free items. The programs they offer focus on preventing homelessness as well as hunger. For example, they provide rent help, funds for utility bills and eviction prevention services as well as access to mortgage help.

Together these options serve as a countywide safety net for those families and individuals. People in Santa Clara County that are facing eviction, utility disconnections, and hunger can get help. There is also water bill assistance to help keep service on, Also click here to learn more on California mortgage assistance programs, including how to get help from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Call (408) 271-1630 with the main office at 358 N Montgomery St, San Jose, CA 95110.

Salvation Army of Santa Clara County provides low income households, unemployed, elderly and others with a wide variety of emergency financial assistance for bills. Get access to social services that can pay your rent, offer one time housing payments, funds for utility bills, and free food. They also offer homeless shelters and seasonal help, ranging from free Christmas presents to Thanksgiving meals or school items for kids.. Or get a free motel voucher in San Jose.

This branch of the Salvation Army serves the low income in the entire Silicon Valley region. While they may have some emergency financial assistance, the charity will really focus on offering money to help pay bills with other support. As there is also case management, job retraining, substance abuse programs and more. The main office is at 359 N 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112. Call (408) 282-1165, or get more information on Salvation Army in Santa Clara County.

Sacred Heart Community Service is another leading non-profit agency that provides essential services to low income families and individuals. Get access to food baskets, infant formula, diapers, sack lunches, or free gently used clothing. Some people can get financial help, including emergency rental and housing assistance. There is also free information and referral services to California and federal government programs, such as Section 8 housing.

Food assistance is offered from the emergency supplement. Each customer of the agency can get, as resources allow, a grocery bag of nonperishable items, produce, meat product, eggs, a loaf of bread, and more. Free holiday meals may be offered too.
A free Clothes Closet is in Santa Clara County. It allows people to browse and “shop”, free of charge for the items they need, including school or professional work attire. There may be some small, free furniture or even laptops for low-income families or kids too.
Apply to the Utility Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, at Sacred Heart. This is a federal government funded program that helps low-income households with paying their home energy bills. It operates both during the winter and can help with summer air conditioning bills. Also get assistance in weatherizing your home and making energy-related home repairs to it.
Education is a focus of Sacred Heart Community Service. The location wants to educate the entire family and build a culture of academic success. The non-profit will offer classes and workshops in Santa Clara County to low-income families in Spanish and English, English as a Second Language, nutrition, GED training and more. They also offer free employment and job placement in California.
Financial education is available. This can include financial workshops, Credit improvement, personal financial coaching, and savings options and development account referrals.
Job programs include vocational coaching and placement. Work with a case manager at a job search center. Sign up for resume writing classes, Interview preparation and access a number of job development and placement services in Santa Clara County. Together you can break the cycle of poverty through asset development, credit improvement, financial coaching, and job placement.
The agency will advocate for policy change to fight predatory lending practices, assist with mortgagesand to improve access to government as well as public benefits. More on mortgage help or free foreclosure prevention.
Other services available include programs for children under the age of 5, emergency domestic violence intervention, leadership classes and more.
Work with a case manager applying for Public Benefits, both federal government and state of California. This includes food stamps including CalFresh. Or apply for Medi-Cal health insurance,

You can learn about the process and get support to ensure you are treated fairly by the system. Sacred Heart Community Service offers many other resources. Stop by or call them at 1381 South First St., San José, California 95110. Telephone (408) 278-2160. Or more on Sacred Heart programs.

Faith based and regional churches cover the area. The faith based groups provide free food, clothing, rent assistance and grants. Other resources focus on health care and self-sufficiency. Other programs include free medical help, help with addictions, prescription vouchers and employment counseling as well as an immediate shelter. Several churches and religious organizations are part of the network of charities in the San Jose California area. Call (866) 896-3587. More on Santa Clara churched based support.

Water bill relief is wide ranging. Several discount programs and payment plans can help low income and struggling individuals pay their water bills (or even wastewater too). The objective is to provide short term financial assistance so that individuals can keep their water service on when they are faced with a difficult situation. Find more on water assistance in San Jose.

First Community Housing - San Jose First Community Services Inc. can assist low-income families and homeless with providing access to emergency programs. Qualified people can get rental and utility help, clothing, free food vouchers, groceries, or transportation assistance. This can even include a free car, bus pass or gasoline card. Or enroll into job training, vocational and employment development services. The address is 75 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113. Call (408) 291-8650.

Helplines can provide referrals to low income families. All across the county are non-profits that assist the less fortunate. There are programs for single parents, the disabled, and others that are struggling. Whether it is financial aid or a government grant, the service may help. Even medical needs, such as prescription drugs and check ups, can be met. Or learn about free day care vouchers, California cash aid (cal Works), legal aid and other services. Read about the Santa Clara County Helpline.

Many self-employed and gig workers are based in the county, and there are assistance programs for freelancers. Whether driving for a ride share, or working at a tech company as a freelancer, gig workers often lack benefits and adequate income. Whether health insurance, apps, vouchers, legal support or cash, find resources. Locate programs that help gig workers.

San Jose and countywide Catholic Charities will assist qualified individuals regardless of religion, age, and gender. The organization administers several low income programs and resources for the working poor, unemployed, and those who are struggling. There is also income based housing legal aid for immigrants in the region. Some short term financial help may be offered for expenses such as rent, energy bills, or food, but the main focus is on self-sufficiency.

Examples of the Catholic Charity services include housing stabilization, including hardship funds. Job training and education programs are administered, such as ESL classes. Get free income tax filing assistance. They also help immigrants to the San Jose community.
Catholic Charities in Santa Clara provides emergency rent assistance as well as financial support to people in need. They can help people find an apartment or housing that will meet their needs, and work with landlords to ensure the housing is a good fit.

There are no religious affiliations, and anyone can apply for help including from the food pantry or soup kitchen. There are of course conditions, such as income, financial hardship, and others. They offer other programs to help people in need. For example, they can provide grants to families to help pay utility bills, help someone find a job, even provide food aid. The main center is at 2625 Zanker Rd #201, San Jose, CA 95134. Call (408) 468-0100, or click here Catholic Charities Santa Clara County assistance programs.

West Valley Community Services offers a number of resources, some of which depend on the applicants zip code. Examples of programs include a shelter and low income housing units. Some of the financial type programs (including free basic needs) include a free food pantry, clothing closet, holiday programs, and career/work clothing.

Funds may be offered in Santa Clara County for paying rent, security deposits, a mortgage arrrears, gasoline and bus vouchers. The non-profit can also process applications for utility bill payment assistance for Pacific Gas and Electric Company through REACH. Information and referral is offered too. The main office is at 10104 Vista Dr, Cupertino, CA 95014, call 408-255-8033. Find additional information on West Valley Community Services.

Santa Clara Department of Employment and Benefit Services as well as Social Services provides a number of assistance programs. Most of them are benefits to low income residents, including people that live in poverty and the unemployed. Most of these are state and federal government resources, including CalFresh Program applications, cash grants, Medi-Cal and help for immigrants. Another focus is on seniors in Santa Clara, and the center may have free meals or food.

The department will focus many of its efforts on self-sufficiency and stability. So clients can receive emergency, short term financial aid and access to employment resources. A focus is on families with children, the disabled and elderly that live in the region. There are food stamps, cash aid, senior care and other public aid. Several other public aid programs are offered too. More details about Santa Clara County public assistance.

The United Way of Santa Clara is a major relief organization. Tens of thousands of Mountain View, Los Altos, and Santa Clara County residents can receive help from the United Way partners that are listed on their 211 service. Anyone can use the online database to search for local help or call the San Jose office directly for customer service, and the main details are here. https://uwba.org/what-we-do/211-bay-area/.

A safety net program, called the Urgent Community Response Fund, will be funding many charities. This charitable fund, which will be managed through social service agencies such as the United Way, will help the needy with shelter, food, prescription medication, provide rent and security deposit help, and even transportation services. Call the United Way of Santa Clara/Silicon Valley to apply. Call (408) 345-4300.

Sunnyvale Community Services can assist people facing a temporary crisis. In some cases, a few dollars can be used to pay for car repairs or rental costs. They also help people work towards long term financial stability.

The non-profit agency can offer emergency assistance to prevent homelessness, so possible rent help.
Food and clothes may be available to prevent hunger for low-income families, the working poor, children and seniors. Or get work attire, free winter coats for kids or senior citizens and more.
Look into financial assistance to prevent utility disconnections, to pay medical bills, prescriptions, and other critical bills. Grants can also pay for car repairs or a vehicle to get to work. Low income families can also get help turning their utilities back on, whether electric, lights, or even water. There are utility connection assistance programs.
Help is offered for seniors in Santa Clara County that are facing problems of finances, health, housing, and isolation. For example work with staff on securing medical and financial assistance case monitoring, arranging for appropriate services and more.
There is also a seasonal Community Christmas Center, in which clients select new gifts for infants through teens, a two-week supply of food, and a household gift for every family member.

Other resources are offered too. The main office is at 1160 Kern Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Dial 408-738-4321.

San Jose City Team is a national charity made up of volunteers and staff. The non-profit provides support to the working poor and homeless. Many services are offered and the following are some examples.

Shelter and transitional housing for gig workers and the unhoused in San Jose CA
Educational services, such as ESL, access to a computer lab or GED classes in Santa Clara County.
Free computers for kids, students, and adult job seekers.
Free food and hot meals, including a bag of groceries.

Much more is provided too, all with a goal of addressing housing, hunger, and self-sufficiency for low income families. More on City Team assistance programs.

Churches that are part of LOVE INC help struggling people. The charity provides information and items using a Clearinghouse model. The churches may be able to provide transportation or help with car repairs. Other resources in Santa Clara County include free clothes, budgeting classes, free school supplies or Christmas assistance, and more. The Clearinghouse also offers referrals to other regional support systems. Continue with Santa Clara County Love Programs

Emergency and crisis assistance is arranged as part of EAN. The county of Santa Clara has partnered with non-profit agencies to offer a service known as the Emergency Assistance Network. Various organizations partner together to provide free food, grants for utility bills and rent, medicines, and other help. Learn more on emergency assistance in Santa Clara County.

Mortgage relief, foreclosure prevention and home buying help is all available. A HUD approved agency known as Project Sentinel ((408) 842-7740) may be able to help. It several important housing and foreclosure counseling services to residents of Santa Clara County. There is free mortgage relief for the low-income in San Jose CA, loan modifications and lender/homeowner mediation.

Project Sentinel housing counselors work closely with homeowners, banks and lenders to find alternatives that allow the homeowner to avoid foreclosure. They explore both federal government and California mortgage assistance programs. These include government hardship grants as well as such programs offered by lenders and agencies such as the FHA short refinance program. The main office is at 8339 Church St #104, Gilroy, CA 95020

St. Joseph’s Family Center runs a food bank and soup kitchen. They give additional help to people with no income money, with clothes and limited financial help offered too. Whether free personal hygiene supplies to canned goods, free toiletries and other groceries. They can also provide help with paying rent. Phone (408) 842-6662 and the location is at 7950 Church St Ste A, Gilroy, CA 95020.

Programs that provide free stuff in Santa Clara County

Free food vouchers and pantries in Santa Clara County provide boxes of groceries and/or hot meals. Both canned and fresh items are offered, or click here for non-profits that provide low cost food in California. The main location is Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley (Santa Clara County), which partners with agencies throughout the region. Dial (800) 984-3663 for information.

Or get the phone numbers and addresses of other food banks. Numerous distribution centers will work to provide free meals, groceries, and applications to Cal-Fresh benefits (food stamps) for low income families. Locate more free food panties in Santa Clara County.

Free clothes, school supplies furniture, personal stuff and basic needs are available locally. Dozens of charities, churches, and non-profits in the northern California region provide low income families, children, and others with free items. They may have clothes for kids or adults, free furniture, or school supplies. Many of these centers are Santa Clara County clothing closets, furniture banks or even thrift stores with vouchers. Find more free clothing closets, school supplies or furniture.

Holiday programs and free Christmas gifts are disbursed from charities and churches. Several non-profits in Santa Clara County also serve meals and hold parties. Most of the programs are focused on children and seniors, and volunteers may provide food, free Christmas toys, games, and more. Find more details on free Christmas help in Santa Clara County.

Santa Clara County free legal assistance programs include support for seniors, the disabled, and youth. Low income and working poor families may receive free advice from a lawyer as well as representation. The non-profit can cover everything from access to medical care to debt collection as well as applications for government benefits. Housing Preservation is another key focus. Get free legal aid to stop foreclosures or illegal debt collection calls. Read more about Bay Area Legal Services.

Debt relief programs in Santa Clara County are available. You can get help with paying debts. auto loan payment help and/or credit repair counseling from Money Management International of the Bay Area. Phone (510) 636-9397. They offer numerous programs, however their core services include free counseling on credit.

Santa Clara County residents can get free debt reduction services, help budgeting, credit card help and housing issues. In addition, the non-profit also offers bankruptcy pre-filing counseling and bankruptcy pre-discharge education as well as money management education to qualified individuals. Even regular credit cards have resources out there, and find a list of free debt assistance programs.

Community Health Centers provide a free medical clinic and access to free or discounted, high quality primary dental or medical care. Both uninsured or under-insured patients with low incomes receive age-appropriate, free and well coordinated health care. Several non-profit clinics and hospital operate in San Jose and Santa Clara California. These facilities may also be able to offer free services. Find more details on Santa Clara County free medical clinics.

Want to read what other residents of San Jose, the Bay Area and Santa Clara County are doing when it comes to getting help? Or what challenges they face? Try our free community forum about Santa Clara County. You can also ask questions, find other financial resources and interact with the community.

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By Jon McNamara

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