The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that it will re-open four regional offices with limited functionality effective Monday, February 1, 2021, in accordance with the State’s lifting of the stay-at-home order. The re-opening will provide Orange County residents with additional access to public assistance benefits and related services, while continuing to provide safeguards that help maintain the 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 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 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 or at (714) 940-1000.
• 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 February 1, 2021, the following locations will be open to the public with limited functionality, Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.:

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. All visitors, unless under the age of two, those who have breathing issues or those with an underlying medical or mental health issue, are required to wear a face mask or cloth facial covering for the safety of others.

Limited visitations and Live Scan appointments will continue by appointment only for Children & Family Services clients.

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

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

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

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that maintenance of its benefits eligibility and determination system will be performed on Saturday, February 6 and Sunday February 7, 2021. This scheduled work will lead to a system outage. As a result, the SSA Call Center will have limited functionality on Saturday, February 6th, and drive-through benefits issuance of Golden State Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Cards (BIC) will be suspended for that day.

The system is expected to resume its full operations effective 6 a.m. on Monday, February 8, 2021.

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 at www.mybenefitscalwin.org. Individuals applying for CalFresh benefits only may visit www.getcalfresh.org and households interested in applying for Medi-Cal only may visit www.coveredca.com.

While the SSA Call Center will continue to receive calls this Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (800) 281-9799, Call Center operators may not have the ability to fully assist clients with specific case information until the system is fully operational.

• 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 or at (714) 940-1000.
• 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.

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

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

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that it will extend in-person office hours at its four currently open public assistance regional centers, effective Monday, February 22, 2021. The expanded hours will help to ensure a greater number of Orange County residents have in-person 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.

Beginning Monday, February 22, 2021, the following locations will be open to the public with limited functionality, Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

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. Further, all visitors, unless under the age of two, those who have breathing issues or those with an underlying medical or mental health issue, are required to wear a face mask or cloth facial covering for the safety of others. 

SSA will continue to provide drive through benefits issuance of new and replacement EBT and Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Cards (BIC) by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call the SSA Call Center at (800) 281-9799 or contact your assigned caseworker. 

Limited visitations and Live Scan appointments remain by appointment only for Children & Family Services clients.

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

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.

For additional information on SSA programs, please visit: ssa.ocgov.com. And, to stay up-to date with information concerning the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, visit occovid19.ochealthinfo.com. 

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is pleased to announce the availability of its Families and Communities Together (FaCT) platform annual report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020, covering the period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. The report addresses the critical role that FaCT and its network of 15 Family Resource Centers (FRCs) play in the County’s efforts to ensure children in Orange County grow up in stable, nurturing families and safe, supportive communities.

For over 25 years, FaCT has played an integral role in SSA’s efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect and help at-risk families thrive. FaCT FRCs provide family strengthening and support services to the community, ranging from counseling and parenting classes, comprehensive case management services, educational and training programs, as well as advocacy and community engagement. FaCT serves as a public-private partnership between SSA and numerous community-based organizations that collectively work to provide engagement and outreach, direct service delivery, fund development and professional/staff training on best practices.

In Fiscal Year 2019-2020, FaCT FRCs served more than 12,000 individuals and over 6,000 families.

To read the full report, please visit: www.factoc.org/newsletter/annual-reports

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that it will re-open a fifth regional office location to the public with limited functionality effective Monday, March 15, 2021. The Agency’s Cypress Regional Center joins the following open SSA public assistance benefits offices, with lobby hours from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

In alignment with the other open regional centers, clients who arrive at the SSA Cypress location 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. All visitors, unless under the age of two, those who have breathing issues or those with an underlying medical or mental health issue, are required to wear a face mask or cloth facial covering for the safety of others. 

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (OCSSA) provides Adult Services, Aid Programs, eligibility for public assistance benefits, Children & Family Services and Family Self-Sufficiency programs to the County’s residents. OCSSA employs more than 4,000 staff across Orange County. For more information, visit us at ssa.ocgov.com.

SSA continues to highly encourage Orange County households interested in applying for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief and CalWORKs benefits or wishing to review existing case information 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 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 or at (714) 940-1000.
• 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.

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

For additional information on SSA programs, please visit: ssa.ocgov.com, and to stay up to-date with information concerning the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, please visit ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus. 

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is pleased to announce the availability of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020 Annual Report, covering the period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. The report highlights the Agency’s accomplishments and initiatives and reflects on SSA’s efforts to ensure continued accessible and responsive services to the community during the pandemic.

Key accomplishments in response to COVID-19 include:

• Maintained connections with vulnerable clients during the pandemic to ensure their overall health and well-being, assessing and addressing immediate unmet needs. SSA staff across all divisions worked to conduct welfare calls to:
  • CalWORKs / Children & Family Services mutual clients: 22,000 cumulative calls made
  • Adult Protective Services: nearly 8,700 cumulative calls made
  • In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS): approximately 65,500 calls made
• Established an innovative drive-through benefits issuance solution for clients to safely pick-up new or replacement Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards and Medi-Cal Benefit Identification Cards. Over 10,000 customers were served through this offering in the last fiscal year.
• Expanded SSA’s online portal (www.mybenefitscalwin.org) to ensure coverage for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, General Relief and CalWORKs applications and/or inquiries on existing cases; extended SSA Call Center hours for evening and Saturday coverage to meet increased call volumes.
•  Activated the County’s critical Emergency Operations Center Mass Care and Shelter Branch to coordinate essential connections with schools, cities, food banks and elder residential care sites.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) provides Adult Services, Aid Programs, eligibility for public assistance benefits, Children & Family Services and Family Self-Sufficiency programs to the County’s residents. SSA employs more than 4,000 staff across Orange County.

For more information, visit us at ssa.ocgov.com.

According to SSA Director Debra J. Baetz, “I am extremely proud of the numerous accomplishments made by SSA staff amid the tremendous challenges brought about by the pandemic.” She continued, “Our SSA team is to be commended on their ability to remain focused during a unique and difficult time and continue the charge to help individuals work towards self-sufficiency, strengthen families and protect our most vulnerable populations in Orange County.”

Click here to read the full report.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that it will reopen another regional office location to the public effective Tuesday, July 6, 2021. The Agency’s Central Regional Office joins the following open SSA public assistance benefits offices, with lobby hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday:

Per California Occupational Safety and Health guidelines, all visitors who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a mask when visiting an SSA office but may do so for safety. Unvaccinated visitors are required to wear a mask or cloth facial covering when entering an SSA office and for the duration of their visit. Children younger than 2, those who have breathing issues or those with an underlying medical or mental health issue are exempt from wearing a mask.

SSA continues to highly encourage Orange County households interested in applying for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief and CalWORKs benefits or wishing to review existing case information 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 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays.
• 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 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• In addition, if you suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect, call our 24-hour Child Abuse Registry at (800) 207-4464 or at (714) 940-1000.
• Please call the 24-hour Adult Protective Services Hotline at (800) 451-5155 if you suspect a senior or dependent adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.

Family visitations and Live Scan appointments will continue by appointment only for Children and Family Services customers.

SSA has modified the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Benefits Issuance hours of operation to 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Clients may contact their case worker or the SSA Call Center to make an appointment.

For additional information on SSA programs, please visit www.ssa.ocgov.com, and to stay up-todate 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 today that its public assistance benefits offices will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2021 and the SSA Call Center will be closed on Saturday, September 4 and Monday, September 6, 2021 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Clients can visit www.mybenefitscalwin.org to apply for or check on existing Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs or General Relief public assistance benefits or alternatively through one of the following options:

• CalFresh only through www.GetCalFresh.org.
• Medi-Cal only may also visit www.coveredca.com.

In addition, if you suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect, call our 24-hour Child Abuse Registry at (800) 207-4464 or at (714) 940-1000.

Please call the 24-hour Adult Protective Services Hotline at (800) 451-5155 if you suspect a senior or dependent adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.

The SSA Call Center will reopen Tuesday, September 7 with operating hours from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and office locations will reopen at 8 a.m. that day.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA), in partnership with OC Health Care Agency, will host a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic at its Santa Ana Regional Center. This event is open to the public.

Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
Location: Lobby B in the Santa Ana Regional Center, 1928 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705

Both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered September 15, while second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered only October 6. Appointments and walk-ins will be accepted. The vaccine clinic is open to adults and children 12 years or older with a parent or guardian present.
Please bring the following to streamline registration:

1. Form of identification. A photo ID is preferred, but other forms of identification will be accepted. Proof of citizenship or legal status is NOT required.
2. Insurance card if you have one. No one will be denied a vaccine if they do not have insurance. Vaccines are FREE.
3. Proof you are the appropriate age for the vaccine being administered.

New Othena registrants can make an appointment using the QR code below. For existing Othena accounts, please use the invitation code: izec9. Those wishing to schedule an appointment or arrange for transportation can call 714-834-2000. For more information, visit occovid19.ochealthinfo.com.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced that it will reopen another office location to the public effective Wednesday, August 11, 2021. The Agency’s Adult Services Office at Warner, which houses SSA In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Adult Protective Services (APS) program staff, as well as Public Authority offices, joins the following SSA offices currently open to the public, with lobby hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday:

Clients who arrive at the Warner facility will be met by SSA triage staff, who can help them navigate their visit prior to being allowed entry into the lobby. SSA staff will inquire about the purpose of the client’s visit and will conduct a short health screening questionnaire. 

Per current state and federal health guidelines, visitors who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a mask when visiting an SSA office but may do so for safety. Unvaccinated visitors are required to wear a mask or cloth facial covering when entering an SSA office, for the duration of their visit. Children younger than 2, those who have breathing issues or those with an underlying medical or mental health issue are exempt from wearing a mask.

Those applying for In-Home Supportive Services or who have questions related to an ongoing IHSS case are encouraged to call (714) 825-3000 or fax (714) 825-3001 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to avoid long in-person wait times.

The APS Hotline remains available 24 hours a day at (800) 451-5155 if you suspect a senior or dependent adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.

Additionally, Orange County households interested in applying for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief and CalWORKs benefits or wishing to review existing case information can visit SSA’s online portal or contact the SSA Call Center, as outlined below. 

• 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 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays. 
  • And, if you suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect, call our 24-hour Child Abuse Registry at (800) 207-4464 or at 714-940-1000.

For additional information on SSA programs, please visit www.ssa.ocgov.com, and to stay up-to-date with information concerning the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, please visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.