Find Free and Low-Cost Help in California
Browse childcare, seniors, children, and education resources by county across California.
Rangefinder helps people across California find local programs for childcare, seniors, children, education, and medical, and other essential services. No login, no signup, and no personal data is ever collected — just search and connect.
Resources are organized by county so you can find help close to where you live. The directory covers 10,000 programs across 62 counties in California, with the most listings in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Santa Clara, and Alameda.
Browse by category
Find programs by the kind of help you need
Cities with the most resources
Find help by county
62 counties have resources listed
Counties with the most resources
San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and the nine Bay Area counties.
Southern California
Los Angeles, San Diego, the Inland Empire, and the far south.
Central Coast
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Cruz.
Central Valley
Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, and the San Joaquin Valley.
Sierra Nevada & Gold Country
The Sierra foothills, Tahoe, and the eastern Sierra.
Northern California & North Coast
Redding, Chico, the North Coast, and the far north.
Other
Counties not yet placed in a regional grouping.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find help with rent in California?
- Browse your county on this page, then open the Housing section to see local programs — the directory lists 1 housing and rental-assistance resources in California. Most rental assistance has income limits and may require an eviction notice or proof of hardship. Apply early — funds are limited and waitlists are common.
- Where can I get free food in California?
- Food pantries, community meals, and SNAP enrollment help are listed under each county (3 food resources statewide), including in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento. Many pantries serve anyone in need without requiring ID or proof of income — call ahead to confirm hours.
- Is there a 24-hour hotline I can call?
- Yes. Dial 2-1-1 for free, confidential, multilingual help finding housing, food, medical, and crisis services anywhere in California, 24/7. For mental health emergencies, call or text 988.
- Do I need to create an account or share personal information?
- No. Rangefinder is a free public directory. You don't need to log in, sign up, or share any personal information to browse resources or save them to your device.
Can't find what you need? Dial 2-1-1 for free, confidential help finding services anywhere in California.
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