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Human Services provides state and federally funded services and supports to residents. We do not act as an extension of federal law enforcement agencies. We provide key resources and support to all residents - regardless of housing, employment, or immigration status, racial or gender identity, ethnicity, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation or religion - who need access to critical social safety net services that support their overall well-being and ability to thrive. This commitment is central to our mission and is in alignment with the County’s strategic plan.

 

Public Benefit and Federal Impacts
 
Are you applying for or working to keep your Medi-Cal or CalFresh benefits?
Learn more about upcoming changes to federal and state funding that may affect your access to health care and food assistance benefits:
 
Get & Keep Your Benefits
 
 
 
Federal Impacts & H.R.1
 
 
PUBLIC CHARGE & FEDERAL RULE CHANGE
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released final regulations on July 16, 2026, that it is ending the 2022 “Public Charge” rule, which applies to many lawfully present immigrants applying for a “green cards,” or lawful permanent residency status.
 
The 2022 Public Charge rule had set specific standards for deciding whether someone seeking lawful immigration status might become dependent on government assistance. Beginning September 18, 2026, immigration officials will return to a previous version of this rule, which broadens the types of public assistance benefits the U.S. Government can review and consider when determining if they should grant an individual’s request for permanent residency.
 
Learn more about the Public Charge rule change, in English and Spanish, through resources provided by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, or ILRC:
 
ILRC's Public Charge Informational Website
 
 
 
Download and print a PDF flyer in English or Spanish, to share publicly about the Public Charge rule change:
 
Protecting Immigrant Families Factsheet (English)
 
 
 
Protecting Immigrant Families Factsheet (Spanish)
 

 

 
YOUR PRIVACY MATTERS
 
We take your privacy very seriously and only use client personal information to determine eligibility for benefits. By law, our agency is required to share information with the State of California, who in turn is required to share demographic information with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Currently, lawsuits—including in California—are blocking the use of SNAP (known as CalFresh in California) and Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in California) information, for immigration enforcement.
 
For those who have already shared information with Medi-Cal, accessing your health coverage and medical services will not place you at further risk. We encourage you to continue seeking medical care. For those who have not already provided information as part of your Medi-Cal enrollment, but are considering doing so, we encourage you to make a personal determination on the risks of accessing government services.
 
Most importantly, disenrolling from benefits will not retroactively remove your personal information from the state-run database. If you are currently enrolled in Medi-Cal benefits, we hope you will keep, and keep using, those benefits.
 
 
Protecting Communities
Many in our community are concerned about accessing critical government, health care, or social safety net services to support their overall health, well-being, and ability to thrive. The County of Santa Cruz is working to protect and support vulnerable residents through several initiatives. The Human Services Department is proud to support this effort by County officials, and provide you with access to information on the following issues of community concern:
 
  • TENANT PROTECTIONS
  • IMMIGRATION RESOURCES
  • LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY RESOURCES
  • REPRODUCTIVE CARE
  • REMOTE ACCESS TO BENEFITS AND TELEHEALTH
  • GUIDANCE TO NONPROFITS IN RESPONSE TO FEDERAL ACTIONS
Click the button below to learn more.
 
Resources for Refugees

Santa Cruz is a welcoming county for refugees, immigrants, and all community members. If you are a refugee seeking support, find useful resources in the drop-down link below:

 

Below is a list of resources available to refugees in our county:

  • Santa Cruz County Immigration Project (SCCIP): Providing professional legal services, advocacy, and community education and information for immigrants and refugees.
  • Santa Cruz Welcoming Network: A community network dedicated to welcoming and supporting asylum seekers and other refugees.
  • Refugee Cash Assistance Program: A County administered cash assistance program for qualifying and eligible refugees who are not otherwise eligible for any other cash aid due to immigration status.
  • Santa Cruz METRO: Learn what public transportation is available to you for daily, weekly and monthly bus fares, including discounted fares.
  • Women, Infants & Children Program: Food assistance for families who are expecting or have children under age 5, and whose earnings are below 185% of the Federal Poverty level
  • California Food Assistance Program (CFAP): Food assistance for qualified non-citizens who do not qualify for federal SNAP benefits, called CalFresh in California.
  • Grey Bears: very low income food distribution to people 55 years or older, with no immigration status requirement to qualify.
  • Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult School: Offering adult basic and secondary education, career tech education support, as well as English learner language courses.
  • Day Worker Center: A program assisting local day laborers, including immigrants, to secure safe employment, develop job skills, improve wages, and engage in our community.
  • Watsonville Law Center: Providing free legal services to low-income individuals, including immigrants and refugees, on California’s Central Coast.
  • Salud Para La Gente: Providing clinic-based health care for people regardless of immigration status, including dental care, vision care, prenatal care, pediatrics, counseling and health insurance assistance
  • Santa Cruz Community Health Centers: Providing clinic-based health care for pediatrics, women’s health, prenatal care, counseling, chiropractics and acupuncture.
  • Dientes Community Dental: Providing low and no-cost dental care, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.
  • Families in Transition: Housing support services for unhoused families and youth in Santa Cruz County - with some program opportunities available to asylees/refugees.