The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is warning residents to be on the lookout for potential scammers using the COVID-19 situation in order to obtain confidential client information.

The California Department of Social Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services have received reports of a potential scam targeting CalFresh food assistance program recipients. While many organizations are seeking to help communities respond to COVID19, clients should exercise caution if asked to share confidential information.

Clients have been asked by scammers to provide personal information, including their EBT card number and PIN, Social Security number and date of birth. Please be advised this may be an attempt to gather information which may be used to withdraw funds from recipient accounts.

Clients are advised NOT to give out their personal information. Please remember that SSA will never ask for your personal information in a text message or via email.

If you are unsure if a request for information is legitimate, please contact the SSA call center to confirm the request at (800) 281-9799 or contact your assigned case worker if you have one.

If you have called the phone number associated with a request for personal information or responded to a text or email request and have provided personal information, it is recommended that you file a report with your local police department.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced today that the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued emergency CalFresh allotments as authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The emergency allotments will raise each household’s monthly allotment of CalFresh to the maximum allowable based on household size for March and April 2020. CalFresh households already receiving the maximum allotment will not receive an emergency allotment.

The March 2020 emergency allotment will be available on April 12, 2020. The April emergency allotment will be available on May 10, 2020. The emergency allotments will be
issued on the client’s existing electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card.

In addition, SSA reported the following program changes as a result of the COVID-19 situation:

• Recipients of CalFresh (unless eligible for the Emergency CalFresh Allotment), CalWORKs and/or General Relief benefits will continue at the same level for March, April and May 2020.
• CalFresh, General Relief and CalWORKs Customers are not required to submit a Semiannual Report (SAR 7), Quarterly Report (QR 7) or Annual Recertification/Redetermination paperwork.
  • Recertification/Redeterminations will be due six months from clients’ original due dates and clients will receive a notification letter informing them of their new due dates.
• Medi-Cal benefits will continue at the same level for March, April, May and June 2020 and Annual Renewal packets will not be processed at this time.
• IHSS Reassessments: while SSA is mandated to continue to perform reassessments, IHSS reassessments have been automatically extended for 90 days from March 18, 2020.
  • It is important to note that SSA staff are still performing these reassessments; however, due to COVID-19, the State permitted this extension in recognition that counties’ workforces may be impacted and the extension will assist in ensuring completion of these reassessments.

Important SSA Contact Information:

• Residents may apply for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs and General Relief online at www.MyBenefitsCalWIN.org.
• SSA Call Center is available from Monday – Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (800)-281-9799 for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs and General Relief Applications or questions.
• To apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) or for questions related to ongoing IHSS cases, call (714) 825-3000.

To stay up to date with information concerning the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, please visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) invites employees and citizens of Orange County to show their support in ending childhood abuse and neglect by wearing blue on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In addition, residents are encouraged to share photos of themselves while wearing blue and tagging photos using the hashtag #GoBlueForOCKids on social media.

Every April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month works to bring awareness to the warning signs and strategies that help protect our most vulnerable children. Participation in Child Abuse Awareness Month activities helps strengthen community support systems that help keep children safe. The challenge to protect our children has never been greater as it is now, due to the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis on families.

“With the current closures of our schools and other safe havens that employ mandated reporters, children and families have less access to critical support systems and their community as a whole,” said Second District Supervisor Michelle Steel, Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. She continued, “This year in particular, parents may feel a lack of support and feel more isolated. Now more than ever, it is crucial to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect if you suspect it.”

“The phrase, ‘if you see something, say something’ is especially important and relevant when it comes to the safety of our children. We continue to rely on teachers who are now providing distance learning, as well as doctors and other providers who are currently offering services through telehealth sessions, to be hyper-vigilant when connecting with children through virtual communications platforms,” stated First District Supervisor Andrew Do, Vice Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

“Every child deserves a nurturing family and a safe environment, free from fear, abuse and neglect,” said Third District Supervisor Donald P. Wagner. He continued, “Today we wear blue in solidarity for child abuse awareness, intervention, and prevention.”

“While April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, ensuring our children grow up in safe and loving homes is important all year long,” said Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee. He added, “As we observe Child Abuse Prevention Month and beyond, think of ways you can safely help families reduce stress, take breaks and stay connected.”

“The safety of children is a shared responsibility - especially during these unprecedented times,” said Fifth District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett. She added, “We encourage you to connect with neighbors, relatives and friends by phone, text and/or online video platforms like FaceTime or Skype to check in and let them know you care.”

If you suspect or know of a child being abused, please call the County of Orange Social Services Agency Child Abuse Registry at 714-940-1000 or 800-207-4464, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced today the availability of a dedicated hotline for current recipients of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Hotline staff are now available to discuss recipients’ urgent needs amid the COVID19 crisis and Governor Newsom’s subsequent stay-at-home order to prevent the further spread of illness.

SSA’s IHSS program provides supportive services to eligible individuals who are aged, blind, and/or disabled, are limited in their ability to care for themselves and cannot live at home safely without assistance.

Orange County IHSS recipients are encouraged to call at (714) 825-3000 and press option 4 if they have an immediate need (needed within three days from the initial call to the hotline) for food or other essential items. The hotline is available during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Callers will be connected with SSA staff who will further assess the recipient’s needs and provide linkages and access to appropriate programs and services.

The IHSS hotline serves as a primary touch point for current IHSS recipients. For information on community resources for older adults, caregivers or persons with disabilities, please call the Office on Aging at 714-480-6450.

To learn more about SSA’s In-Home Supportive Services program, please visit the Agency’s website at ssa.ocgov.com/elder/ihss, and to stay up-to-date on the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) today announced that the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has expedited the implementation of EBT online purchasing to allow greater access to food and other necessary household items during the COVID-19 crisis and statewide stay at home order.

EBT online purchasing is set to begin on April 28, 2020. The new functionality will provide eligible California recipients with more purchasing options to avoid in-person interaction at stores and ensure adherence to social distancing guidelines that help prevent the spread of illness.

Online purchasing functionality will initially be available through two major California retailers, Amazon and Walmart. Both merchants accept EBT payments for food purchases using CalFresh benefits; Walmart also accepts EBT payments for non-food items using CalWORKs cash benefits.

CDSS is working to expand the number of participating retailers once online purchasing is fully implemented and operational in California.

When buying groceries at either of the designated retailers, customers are charged a grocery delivery fee when less than $35 of food is purchased; for food purchases over $35, delivery is free. At this time, CalFresh food benefits cannot be used to cover delivery fees at either retailer. Eligible CalWORKs recipients may use their cash benefit to pay for delivery fees at Walmart.

“We are pleased that CDSS is expediting this enhanced functionality to Orange County EBT cardholders to redeem their benefits online,” said SSA Director Debra Baetz. She continued, “This additional purchasing capability provides our vulnerable populations with greater access to the essential food and non-food items they need, and at the same time allows them to remain at home for their health and well-being, as well as for the safety of the community.”

Orange County residents who are interested in applying for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs and General Relief can apply as follows:

• By phone through the SSA Call Center at (800) 281-9799
  • The SSA Call Center is available from Monday – Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Online:
  • www.MyBenefitsCalWIN.org
  • Additionally, individuals can apply for CalFresh only through www.GetCalFresh.org

To apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) or for questions related to ongoing IHSS cases, please call (714) 825-3000.

You can stay up-to-date with information concerning the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, by visiting www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

On Friday, April 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved California’s application to operate a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program during the COVID-19 crisis.

Beginning today, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will issue P-EBT benefits to CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs and Foster Care households with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals as well as to households with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals whose schools are closed due to the COVID-19 emergency.

Through the program, households will receive up to $365 for each child who is eligible for P-EBT benefits. The total amount received depends on how many eligible children there are in the household and the P-EBT card will be paid up to the following amounts each month:

• March 2020: $68 per eligible child
• April 2020: $120 per eligible child
• May 2020: $120 per eligible child
• June 2020: $57 per eligible child

The California Department of Education (CDE) and CDSS estimate P-EBT benefits issuance of more than $1.4 billion to over 3.8 million school children throughout the state to address food insecurity during the crisis.

In Orange County, households with children who are directly certified to receive free and reducedprice school meals and are current CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal or Foster Care benefit recipients, will automatically be mailed their P-EBT card by May 22 and do not need to apply for the benefit.

Orange County families with children from households eligible for free and reduced-price school meals through a school application, and some attending schools where meals are free for all students, who have not received a P-EBT card by 5/22/20, will need to apply online. The application period for P-EBT benefits will run beginning May 22 through June 30, 2020 at https://ca.p-ebt.org.

Students can still pick up to-go meals if they receive P-EBT benefits.

For more information, please refer to the P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Additional questions about the P-EBT program should be directed to the EBT Customer Service Center at (877) 328-9677 or by visiting https://capandemic-ebt.org.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that it will begin to open some offices with limited functionality effective Monday, June 22, 2020, in accordance with the State’s variance to safely reopen business. This phased re-opening will help to ensure a greater number of Orange County residents have access to public assistance benefits and related services, while planning for the safety and protection of SSA clients and staff during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Orange County households interested in applying for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief and CalWORKs benefits or wishing to review existing case information are strongly encouraged to visit SSA’s online portal or contact the SSA Call Center, as outlined below, to avoid long inperson wait times and help prevent the spread of illness.

• Online: www.mybenefitscalwin.org
  • As another option, individuals applying for CalFresh benefits only may visit www.getcalfresh.org
  • Households interested in applying for Medi-Cal only may also visit www.coveredca.com
• By phone: please call SSA’s Call Center at (800) 281-9799
  • Call Center hours are Weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• To apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) or for questions related to ongoing IHSS cases, please call (714) 825-3000 or fax (714) 825-3001.
• In addition, if you suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect, call our Child Abuse Registry at (800) 207-4464.
• Please call the Adult Protective Services Hotline at (800) 451-5155 if you suspect a senior or dependent adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.

Beginning June 22, 2020, the following locations will be open to the public with limited functionality, Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.:

Limited visitations and Live Scan appointments will resume by appointment only for Children & Family Services clients. Assigned social workers will contact clients directly to schedule appointments as applicable.

All other SSA offices will remain closed to the public until further notice.

Clients who arrive at SSA facilities will go through a brief pre-check process prior to being allowed entry into an SSA lobby. SSA staff will inquire about the purpose of the client’s visit and will conduct a short health screening questionnaire. Visitors will be strongly encouraged to practice physical distancing throughout their visit. It is highly recommended that all visitors, unless under the age of two, those who have breathing issues or those with an underlying medical or mental health issue, wear a face mask or cloth facial covering for the safety of others. 

“At SSA, the health and well-being of our clients and staff is paramount. In addition to asking members of the public as well as our employees to practice good health habits and perform physical distancing, we have taken precautions to modify lobby seating configurations, install protective barriers and perform enhanced cleaning to help prevent the spread of illness, among other safety measures,” said SSA Director Debra Baetz. She continued, “While some of our offices are opening in this first phase of re-entry, we urge visitors to continue to apply for new benefits or check on their existing cases by phone or online in order to remain safe at home.”

For additional information on SSA programs, please visit: www.ssa.ocgov.com. 

To stay up to date with information concerning the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, please visit occovid19.ochealthinfo.com.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that it will modify some of its limited functionality operations beginning Monday, August 10, 2020. The Agency will continue to keep its Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana Regional Centers open to the public with reduced hours, from Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In addition, SSA will close its Cypress Regional Center (CRC) to the public until further notice as part of the modifications and will reallocate some of its California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program staff to the Garden Grove Regional Center to meet client demands. CRC has experienced the lowest volume of client traffic among the SSA facilities that are currently open to the public.

Guided by its mission of delivering high quality, responsive and accessible services to the public, SSA is committed to serving the community by making crucial public assistance benefits available to those in need. The Agency is dedicated to balancing the needs of its clients while working to ensure the safety of its staff and the community it serves—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When SSA initially re-opened some of its offices in late June to the public, the Agency’s re-entry plan allowed for the periodic evaluation of visitor traffic during its first month of operation. The modification to refine SSA’s core business hours to the public reflects peak coverage times over the past four weeks and works to ensure SSA continues to remain a stable physical presence in the community, available to those who require in-person assistance for their immediate needs.

SSA has implemented numerous protective measures to ensure the safety of its clients and employees. These safeguards include modifying lobby seating configurations, installing protective barriers and performing enhanced cleaning to help prevent the spread of illness. Clients who arrive at SSA facilities will go through a brief pre-check process prior to being allowed entry into an SSA lobby. SSA staff will inquire about the purpose of the client’s visit and will conduct a short health screening questionnaire. Visitors will be strongly encouraged to practice physical distancing throughout their visit. It is highly recommended that all visitors, except those under the age of two or individuals with an underlying medical or mental health issue, wear a face mask or cloth facial covering for the safety of others.

Orange County households interested in applying for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief and CalWORKs benefits or wishing to review existing case information are strongly encouraged to visit SSA’s online portal or contact the SSA Call Center, as outlined below, to avoid long in-person wait times and help prevent the spread of illness.

• Online: www.mybenefitscalwin.org
  • As another option, individuals applying for CalFresh benefits only may visit www.getcalfresh.org
  • Households interested in applying for Medi-Cal only may also visit www.coveredca.com
• By phone: please call SSA’s Call Center at (800) 281-9799
  • Call Center hours are Weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• To apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) or for questions related to ongoing IHSS cases, please call (714) 825-3000 or fax (714) 825-3001.
• In addition, if you suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect, call our Child Abuse Registry at (800) 207-4464.
• Please call the Adult Protective Services Hotline at (800) 451-5155 if you suspect a senior or dependent adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.

Limited visitations and Live Scan appointments will continue by appointment only for Children & Family Services clients. Assigned social workers will contact clients directly to schedule appointments as applicable.

For additional information on SSA programs, please visit: www.ssa.ocgov.com.

To stay up to date with information concerning the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, please visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that beginning Saturday, September 5, 2020, the Agency’s Saturday drive through benefits issuance services will be consolidated at SSA’s Santa Ana Regional Center (SARC), by appointment only. The Agency will continue to provide weekday benefits issuance by appointment from multiple locations. Clients requiring drive through benefits issuance services should continue to follow current processes by scheduling appointments through the SSA Call Center at (800) 281-9799 or contacting their caseworker.

The decision to consolidate Saturday benefits issuance at SARC was made based upon evaluation of client utilization of these services.

Currently, SSA’s Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana Regional Centers are open to the public with reduced hours, from Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Orange County households interested in applying for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief and CalWORKs benefits or wishing to review existing case information are strongly encouraged to visit SSA’s online portal or contact the SSA Call Center, as outlined below, to avoid long in-person wait times and prevent the spread of illness.

• Online: www.mybenefitscalwin.org
  • As another option, individuals applying for CalFresh benefits only may visit www.getcalfresh.org
  • Households interested in applying for Medi-Cal only may also visit www.coveredca.com
• By phone: please call SSA’s Call Center at (800) 281-9799
  • Call Center hours are Weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• To apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) or for questions related to ongoing IHSS cases, please call (714) 825-3000 or fax (714) 825-3001.
• In addition, if you suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect, call our Child Abuse Registry at (800) 207-4464.
• Please call the Adult Protective Services Hotline at (800) 451-5155 if you suspect a senior or dependent adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.

Limited visitations and Live Scan appointments will continue by appointment only for Children & Family Services clients through their assigned social worker.

For additional information on SSA programs, please visit: www.ssa.ocgov.com

To stay up to date with information concerning the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, please visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

The 26th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County is now available, offering a comprehensive assessment of the health, economic well-being, education and safety of the County’s children.

The following areas have shown improvement for the lives and well-being of Orange County’s youth:

• Good Health: Orange County women receiving early prenatal care is rebounding, which may be in part driving the infant mortality rate drop of 31% between 2009 to 2018.
• Economic Well-Being: The number of total Orange County child support cases decreased by over 30% from 89,852 cases in 2010/2011 to 62,851 cases in 2019/2020. Over the same period, improvements in child support collections per case have increased by over 12%, ensuring an increase in income to parents to provide for the basic needs of their children.
• Educational Achievement: The rate of dropout among high school students is approximately one in 20 students, lower than the state and national dropout rates. Further, over half of Orange County third graders meet or exceed the statewide achievement standards in Math and English Language Arts, higher than the state rates.
• Safe Homes and Communities: In 2019, 4.7% of juvenile prosecutions were gang-related, down 65% from 13.6% in 2010.

“We are pleased to report on good health outcomes and improvements in education, among other indicators, as noted in the Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County. Teen birth rates are at their lowest in ten years and academic performance in the subjects of Math and English Language Arts among third graders continues its five-year positive trend,” said Vice Chairman and First District Supervisor Andrew Do, who serves as the Chair of the Orange County Children’s Partnership (OCCP), the advisory board responsible for publishing the report. Supervisor Do continues, “The report uncovers areas where County departments can focus their efforts to ensure our children thrive. While the report highlights several improvements, there is much more we can do to ensure the overall health and wellbeing of our youth.”

This year’s report includes a special section related to COVID-19 and the County’s response to the pandemic. To find out more about the other indicators and read the full report, visit https://ssa.ocgov.com/sites/ssa/files/2021-11/OC_CoCReport_2020-Interactive3.pdf.