Help programs
Free foreclosure help in San Mateo County
Free programs for homeowners in San Mateo County, California. Real help is always free; be careful of anyone who asks for money up front.
Includes Redwood City, San Mateo, Daly City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Menlo Park, Burlingame, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Pacifica.
Local programs
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County
Free legal help for people with low income. Call to ask about help with foreclosure.
650-558-0915 · Website for Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County
Bay Area Legal Aid
Free legal advice line for people with low income. Call to ask about help keeping your home.
Free help for every Californian
These programs serve the whole state. Start with your loan company; only they can approve a change to your loan or stop a sale. The phone number is on your monthly statement.
HOPE Hotline (Homeownership Preservation Foundation)
Free phone help from a housing counselor if you are behind on your mortgage. Any homeowner can call.
888-995-4673 · Website for HOPE Hotline (Homeownership Preservation Foundation)
HUD Housing Counselor Locator
Find a free, HUD-approved housing counselor near you by phone or by ZIP code.
CalVet Home Loans
For veterans with a CalVet home loan. Call and ask about options if you are having trouble making payments.
USDA Rural Development Customer Service Center
For homeowners with a USDA direct home loan. Ask about help if you are behind. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.
800-414-1226 · Website for USDA Rural Development Customer Service Center
CalHFA Housing Counseling Program
Free, private counseling to help you avoid foreclosure. The state pays for it.
CalHFA Hardship Assistance
If your home loan is from CalHFA, ask here about payment plans and ways to lower your payment.
California Courts Self-Help Center
Free, plain-language information about how foreclosure works in California and where to find help.
LawHelpCA
Find free legal aid offices near you by county and topic.
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA)
Free legal help for low and moderate income homeowners facing foreclosure, scams, or reverse mortgage problems.
510-271-8443 · Website for Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA)
Property Tax Postponement Program (State Controller)
Homeowners who are 62 or older, blind, or disabled may put off paying property taxes. It is a loan that must be paid back later.
800-952-5661 · Website for Property Tax Postponement Program (State Controller)
California Attorney General Homeowner Help
Learn your rights as a homeowner, spot foreclosure scams, and check if a foreclosure consultant is registered.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Simple guides for working with your loan company, and a place to file a complaint if it treats you unfairly.
855-411-2372 · Website for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Other counties
Looking for a different county? See all 58 counties.
Good to know
Programs and phone numbers change. We check this list often, but please confirm details with each program. Last reviewed October 2026. Know a program we missed? Tell us.
We are not a government agency. Serve First Realty, Ashlar Lending, and Ashlar LDA are private businesses. Your first introductory call with us is free.
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Book a free call. We will explain your options and point you to the right help, including free programs.