The federally-funded Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers a monthly discount of up to $30 on Home Internet service for qualifying households. That means your Internet service could be free when used with special high-speed internet plans offered by many providers.
If you’re enrolled in a program like Medi-Cal, CalFresh, Lifeline, WIC, or SSI, or if your household income is less than $53,000 (for a family of four), then you qualify for ACP!
Visit: Internetforallnow.org/applytoday or call 866-745-2805 to learn more.
Collective of Results and Evidence (CORE) Investments
Important Update: The Collective of Results and Evidence (CORE) Request for Proposal application deadline has passed and applications are no longer being accepted. The RFP, the Addendum to the RFP, and more information about The Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments can be found on our CORE Investments page.
County Holiday Observances
The Human Services Department is closed on Monday, July 4, 2022 in observance of Independence Day.
Please see the County's 2022 Holiday Schedule.
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 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mail: P.O. Box 1320, Santa Cruz CA 95061
In-Person: Lobby hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 18 W. Beach St. in Watsonville or 1020 Emeline Ave. in Santa Cruz
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