CalFresh Emergency Allotments Have Ended
The CalFresh Emergency Allotments have ended. The last CalFresh Emergency Allotment was issued on March 26, 2023. Starting in April 2023 you will no longer get the additional CalFresh benefit at the end of each month. You will continue to receive the regular CalFresh benefit amount deposited onto your EBT card between the 1st and 10th of each month.
You may find additional information here: End of CalFresh Emergency Allotments FAQ or visit the California Department of Social Services CalFresh COVID-19 information page: CalFresh COVID-19
Los depósitos de emergencia temporales de CalFresh han terminado. El ultimo deposito de emergencia temporal de CalFresh fue depositado el 26 de marzo del 2023. A partir de abril del 2023, sus beneficios volverán a la cantidad regular que se le deposita cada mes entre el día primero al día diez.
Encontrará más información aquí: End of Emergency Allotments FAQ (ca.gov) . También puede visitar la pagina web del Departamento de Servicios Sociales de California sobre información del COVID-19: CalFresh COVID-19
Medi-Cal Renewals are back!
Medi-Cal Renewals are back! Do not lose your benefits, be on the lookout for your Medi-Cal renewal inside a yellow envelope in the mail. Ask a Benefits Representative when your renewal is due next time you call the county at 1-888-421-8080, or when you visit at 1020 Emeline Ave., Santa Cruz CA 95060, or 18 W. Beach St. Watsonville, CA 95076.
Medi-Cal Renewals flyer (PDF, 440 KB)
CalFresh Disaster Benefit Replacement
On January 6, 2023, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) submitted a request to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to extend the Timely Reporting of Food Loss waiver for Humboldt and Santa Cruz Counties. FNS has approved the request to extend the Timely Reporting waiver in Humboldt and Santa Cruz Counties through January 30, 2023. The Timely Reporting Waiver will allow households in Humboldt and Santa Cruz Counties to make a request for replacement of CalFresh benefits through January 30, 2023. The waiver will allow the State to provide impacted households in the affected county additional time to report their food loss.
Please contact our Employment and Benefit Services Division at 1-888-421-8080 between 7:30am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 5:00pm to enquire about CalFresh Benefit Replacement eligibility if you are a CalFresh household whose food purchased with CalFresh benefits was lost due to a household misfortune (flood, power outage, evacuation).
Benefits Replacement Flyer-English (PDF, 44 KB)
Benefits Replacement Flyer-Spanish (PDF, 44 KB)
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
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.
County Holiday Observances
Please view 2023 County Holiday schedule HERE.
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. Residents should 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 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.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.
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