Community Health Centers (FQHC) in California
California at a glance
California is home to about 10,598,301 foreign-born residents (27.0% of the state’s 39,287,377 people) and 15,778,963 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (40.2%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in California regardless of immigration status unless noted.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are the most important low-cost medical care network in US for uninsured or underinsured people. They serve EVERYONE regardless of immigration status.
How FQHCs work — the short version
A Federally Qualified Health Center is a nonprofit clinic funded under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. Three things matter in practice: every site must serve you regardless of immigration status, fees follow a sliding scale based on income (a pay stub is usually enough proof), and most California locations put primary care, pediatrics, dental, mental health, and a low-cost pharmacy under one roof. No insurance is required, and in areas with large Spanish-speaking populations, bilingual staff are the norm.
For the full guide — typical services, what to bring to a first visit, and how the sliding fee scale is calculated — see the national community health centers guide.
Important: Public Charge Rule
Using FQHCs does NOT affect your immigration case. Public Charge Rule doesn’t consider low-cost medical services. See Public Charge Rule.
FQHC locations in California: the real numbers
California has 3,011 active federally funded health center sites, per HRSA's Health Center Service Delivery Sites file. Every one of them is required to serve you regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. The cities with the most locations:
| City | FQHC sites |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 307 |
| San Diego | 101 |
| San Francisco | 87 |
| Oakland | 86 |
| San Jose | 74 |
Coverage by county
| County | Sites |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 814 |
| San Diego | 286 |
| Orange | 183 |
| Alameda | 167 |
| Riverside | 123 |
| Fresno | 110 |
| Santa Clara | 98 |
| Sacramento | 96 |
Major health center sites you can call today
| Health center site | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| JWCH Institute, Inc., Mini House Residential Treatment | Los Angeles | (323) 201-4516 |
| Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital | San Francisco | (415) 206-8238 |
| Janus Of Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | (831) 462-1060 |
| Mobile Crisis Outreach Team | Redding | (530) 691-4446 |
| Greenville Rancheria Tribal Administration | Red Bluff | (530) 528-8600 |
| Children'S Hospital Medical Center Of Northern Ca | Oakland | (510) 428-3783 |
| WellSpace Health - South Valley Community Health Center | Sacramento | (916) 236-4701 |
| WellSpace Health - Galt Community Health Center | Galt | (916) 737-5555 |
Source: HRSA Health Center Service Delivery and Look-Alike Sites (retrieved 2026-07-07; refreshed quarterly). Hours and walk-in policies change — call before visiting, or search every site at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
Related information
- Medicaid in California
- CHIP in California
- Free hospital care in California
- Public Charge Rule
- SNAP in California
Last verified: 2026-06-15.
General information, not medical advice. For specific care, talk to a medical provider.
Last verified: 2026-06-15.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
Related procedural information
- Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
- Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
- ITIN for tax-funded benefits — eligibility requires SSN or ITIN
- Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
- Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits