Announcements

Santa Cruz and CalFresh Recipients from Santa Cruz County can use their EBT card to purchase hot, prepared foods from SNAP authorized retailers through September 23, 2020.  In addition to Santa Cruz, this temporary waiver is available in 17 counties throughout the state, Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter and Yolo to support those impacted by the fires.  

Also as a reminder, CalFresh Recipients who lost food related to the Fires may request replacement benefits by calling, 1-888-421-8080.  Requests may be made anytime, but must be made no later than September 14, 2020 for fire-related food loss.

Individuals who want to apply for benefits can apply online at www.getcalfresh.org or https://www.mybenefitscalwin.org or by phone at 1-888-421-8080 (between the hours of 8am – 5pm, Monday through Friday). 

APPLYING FOR BENEFITS DURING COVID-19:

We understand your medical needs and food assistance is a priority for you and your family. To assist you in applying for public assistance benefits such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Assistance, or CalWORKs, we developed the following guides:

EBSD Guide to Benefits - English (PDF, 459 KB)

EBSD Guide to Benefits - Spanish (PDF, 483 KB)

Out of an abundance of caution, and in response to the recommendations from Public Health Officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Santa Cruz County Employment & Benefit Services walk-in customer service centers at 18W. Beach St., Watsonville and 1020 Emeline Ave., Santa Cruz are modifying office operations to limit unnecessary Face-to-Face contact.  Customers are being asked to conduct business by phone or electronically when possible.  

Due to furloughing, some County Departments will be closed on specific Fridays. The Human Services Department will not be closed for furlough and their  hours of operation will remain the same: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

While visiting our offices, residents will be asked to wear face coverings and maintain physical distancing and should stay home if they have been sick or have a fever. Medical screening may occur at some buildings. Residents should also expect limits on the number of persons in lobbies, protective screens at public counters, additional signage, and other measures to protect the health and safety of residents and staff. 

All essential services continue to be provided by phone, online and by mail, while access to the walk-in service centers will be limited, in order to promote social distancing. Nearly all benefit services for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, General Assistance are available remotely by mail, phone or online through the following access points:

Electronically:

Mybenefitscalwin.org

Mysantacruzcounty mobile app

Getcalfresh.org

Phone:

1-888-421-8080

Mail:

P.O. Box 1320

Santa Cruz, CA  95061

IMPORTANT COUNTY UPDATE TO ALL RESIDENTS:

8/17/20 - COUNTY REMOVED FROM DATA MONITORING LIST
 
The County of Santa Cruz Public Health Division is pleased to announce the County has been removed from the state data monitoring list, effective Friday, August 14.  Being removed from the monitoring list is an indication of reduced spread of COVID-19 and is the first step toward the lifting of economic measures and school restrictions. However, counties must be off the data monitoring list for 14 consecutive days for measures and restrictions to be lifted, and no immediate changes to those operations may be implemented at this time.  Any future school openings are subject to decisions by local school boards and administrators.  In counties removed from the data monitoring list, local businesses may only open by order of the State Health Officer. Impacted businesses anticipating to resume operations should prepare by consulting sectorspecific guidance, available at https://www.santacruzhealth.org/HSAHome/HSADivisions/PublicHealth/CommunicableDiseaseControl/ CoronavirusHome/PublicInformation/ReopeningGuidanceDocuments.aspx.  Businesses are also advised that they may enroll in the Blue Check Program attesting to safe business practices for staff and customers, and may download the Public Health face covering sign and other messaging from the Public Health sign/messaging library, available at https://www.santacruzhealth.org/HSAHome/HSADivisions/PublicHealth/CommunicableDiseaseControl/ CoronavirusHome/PublicInformation/SignsMediaLibrary.aspx.  The community should continue taking steps to protect themselves and their community from COVID-19, including avoiding indoor gatherings with those outside your household, maintaining physical distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands and sneezing/coughing into your elbow.  Should disease rates increase once more, the County may return to the data monitoring list. 

For local information on COVID-19, go to www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus, call 211 or text “COVID19” to 211211. Residents may also call (831) 454-4242 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

HSD and its partners seek to help older adults remain home and healthy during the public health crisis by providing up to 3 meals a day from local businesses.

Who qualifies for the program?

Individuals who are 65 or older (or 60-64 at high-risk *) and

• Live alone or with one other program-eligible adult;
• Are not currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs (e.g. CalFresh, Meals on Wheels);
• Annual income does not exceed $74,940 (single) or $101,460 (2-person); and
• Cannot currently prepare or obtain meals.

How do I apply for the program if I believe I may qualify?

Provide your full name, phone, date of birth, and preferred language on a confidential voice mail or send the information to the secure email below.

Santa Cruz Great Plates Delivered Message Line (831) 454-4406

hsd_greatplates@santacruzcounty.us.

HSD staff will contact you for a free screening to confirm if you qualify.

This is a program of the Human Service Department of Santa Cruz County, in partnership with local community based organizations, and is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State of California with local support from the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. This short term program has been extended and runs until October 9, 2020, unless extended again by the State and FEMA.

CZU August Lightning Complex Fires Resources

The Human Services Department continues to be open and providing services during both the public health crisis and the wildfire evacuations. For local wildfire and evacuation information, please visit the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires Information and Resources County webpage