Important Update: The County and City recently received a number of requests from community providers to delay the Collective of Results and Evidence (CORE) Request for Proposal application deadline, given the impact of the COVID surge.
In response, the County, in consult with the City of Santa Cruz, will bring a request to the County Board of Supervisors on 1/25/22 recommending a delay of the application deadline to March 4th, 2022 (4 weeks after the current deadline). This delay will prompt an adjustment to other CORE RFP timelines. An amended RFP will be posted following the 1/25 Board Meeting and no later than February 2nd. The Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments is a funding model and a movement to achieve equitable health and well-being in Santa Cruz County, using a collective impact, results-based approach that is responsive to community needs. CORE Investments within the City and County represent a shared commitment to promote the health and well-being necessary for all county residents to thrive.
Application instructions and more information about The Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments can be found HERE.
California COVID-19 RENT RELIEF
The California COVID-19 Rent Relief program, which is administered by the California Housing and Community Development Department, launched on Monday, March 15th. This program can assist tenants who have unpaid rent with up to 1 year of relief, does not jeopardize other federal or state benefits, and will initially prioritize individuals with incomes below 50% of area median income. Both tenants and landlords can apply and the application portal is live. Applicants may apply by visiting HousingIsKey.com. Assistance is also available by calling 1-833-430-2122 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Applications and assistance are available in multiple languages.
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)
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: Are you enrolled in Medi-Cal? Has your contact information changed in the past two years? Give your county office your updated contact information so you can stay enrolled.
Importante: ¿Está inscrito(a) a Medi-Cal? ¿Ha cambiado su información de contacto en los últimos dos años? Proporcione su información de contacto actualizada a su oficina del condado para mantenerse inscrito(a). Encuentre su oficina del condado local.
IMPORTANT: During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), Medi-Cal beneficiaries have stayed enrolled in the program. If your contact information or household circumstances have changed, please update your information today by contacting your local county office at 1-888-421-8080. This may help you keep your Medi-Cal coverage after the end of the COVID-19 PHE.
Importante: Los beneficiarios de Medi-Cal se han mantenido afiliados en el programa durante la emergencia de salud pública (PHE) causada por COVID-19. Si su información de contacto o circunstancias de su hogar han cambiado, por favor actualice su información hoy comunicándose con su oficina del condado local en: [número de teléfono, portal SAWS, y enlace del condado para el directorio]. Esto podría ayudar a mantener su cobertura Medi-Cal aún después de terminar la PHE de COVID-19.
Medi-Cal beneficiaries and families: you may qualify for federal stimulus payments issued during #COVID19. To check your eligibility and claim your payments today, visit https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdssprograms/2020-income-tax-return-filing