Announcements

We understand your medical needs and food assistance is a priority for you and your family. 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 all business by phone or electronically. 

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:

3/31/20 UPDATED: ORDER TO SHELTER IN PLACE - EXTENDED TO MAY 3, 2020

ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ DIRECTING ALL INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE COUNTY TO SHELTER AT THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

• Appendix A: Social Distancing Protocol for Essential Businesses
• UPDATED: FAQs for Order to Shelter

If you have questions about Coronavirus/COVID-19, please call (831) 454-4242 between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm, Monday-Friday. Outside of these hours please call United Way of Santa Cruz County at 211 or text "covid19" to 211211.

Santa Cruz County Public Health strongly urges community members to take precautions to help prevent the spread of illness:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water, rubbing for at least 20 seconds;
• Use at least 60% alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hand, or use a tissue and discard;
• Avoid shaking hands;
• Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands;
• Regularly clean surfaces touched by many people using normal household cleaners;
• Stay home from work or school if you are sick; and
• Get a flu shot to protect yourself and others from flu, which has similar symptoms to COVID-19.

Immigration and DACA Resources

Know Your Rights

Find answers to your questions about public benefits, immigration, and DACA resources.