New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: social services agency

O.C. EBT cardholders are getting scammed via text messages

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Fraud, Orange County Social Services Agency, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) is warning clients who possess an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to be on the lookout for potential scammers trying to obtain confidential client information to commit fraud.

SSA and other county social services agencies have been made aware of a recent uptick in activity concerning potential fraud attempts across the state. One such attempt involved texting to obtain personal information, including but not limited to, an EBT card number and/or personal identification number (PIN), Social Security number, bank information and/or date of birth. Please be advised this information 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 you change your PIN and report your EBT card as lost or stolen by calling:

• The state’s EBT Customer Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (877) 328-9677, or
• The SSA call center from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays.

You may also wish to file a report with your local police department.

The OC SSA agency expands public assistance office hours

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Editor Posted in Orange County, Orange County Social Services Agency, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County, Calif. (February 19, 2021) – 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.:

Anaheim Regional Center
3320 E. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806 Laguna Hills Regional Center
23330 Moulton Parkway
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Garden Grove Regional Center
12912 Brookhurst St.
Garden Grove, CA 92840 Santa Ana Regional Center
1928 S. Grand Ave., BLDG. B &C
Santa Ana, CA 92705

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: www.ssa.ocgov.com. And, to stay up-to-date with information concerning the COVID-19 situation in Orange County, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

The O.C. Social Services Agency will re-open four Regional Centers on Feb. 1

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Editor Posted in Orange County, Orange County Social Services Agency, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County, Calif. (January 28, 2021) – 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.

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.:

Anaheim Regional Center
3320 E. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806 Laguna Hills Regional Center
23330 Moulton Parkway
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Garden Grove Regional Center
12912 Brookhurst St.
Garden Grove, CA 92840 Santa Ana Regional Center
1928 S. Grand Ave., BLDG. B &C
Santa Ana, CA 92705

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: 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 O.C. Social Services Agency will begin phased office re-openings on June 22

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Editor Posted in Orange County, Orange County Social Services Agency Leave a comment

Orange County, Calif. – 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.

Online: www.mybenefitscalwin.org
- o 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.:

Aliso Viejo Regional Center, 115 Columbia, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Garden Grove Regional Center, 12912 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, CA 92840
Anaheim Regional Center, 3320 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806
Santa Ana Regional Center, 1928 S. Grand Ave., BLDG. B &C, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Cypress Regional Center, 6100 Chip Ave., Cypress, CA 90630

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 www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

The O.C. Social Services Agency expands online enrollment options and extends call center hours

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Editor Posted in Orange County, Orange County Social Services Agency, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County, Calif. (March 20, 2020) – The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced today that it will expand its online application services and call center hours to meet the needs of the community affected by the State’s Stay at Home order issued yesterday.

Effective immediately, SSA’s Service Center has extended its hours of operation to:

· Weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

· Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Call Center operators will be available to take calls at (800) 281-9799.

Individuals wishing to apply for General Relief benefits now have another option to enroll online through http://www.mybenefitscalwin.org. They may also continue to apply or check on existing case information by calling Agency’s Service Center at (800) 281-9799 or by faxing an application to (714) 825-3155.

Previously, only Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWORKsbenefits were accessible on http://www.mybenefitscalwin.org.

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

Dr. Michael Riley appointed new O.C. Social Services Agency Director

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Editor Posted in African Americans, Orange County, Santa Ana, Women, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2010
Contact: Howard Sutter, 714.834.6203 office, Howard.Sutter@ocgov.com

New Social Services Agency Director Appointed

(Santa Ana, CA) — The Orange County Board of Supervisors has appointed Dr. Michael Riley to serve as Director of the County’s Social Services Agency (SSA) effective July 30, 2010.

He will succeed Ingrid Harita, who has served as SSA’s Director since July 2005 and is retiring from the County on July 29. Dr. Riley, who joined SSA in 1997, is currently the Agency’s Chief Deputy Director and served previously as the Director of Children and Family Services.

“Dr. Riley’s knowledge of the Social Services Agency, his experience and his true concern for those in need are among his greatest qualifications,” said Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “The Board looks forward to working with Dr. Riley and his staff as we continue our efforts to meet the needs of individuals and families.”

Dr. Riley received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Nebraska. He is a recognized leader in children’s welfare and has received numerous professional appointments and awards. Dr. Riley is also a graduate of the Orange County Leadership Academy.

The Orange County Social Services Agency serves over 380,000 clients monthly, from newborns to the elderly. Services provided by SSA impact the health, safety and well-being of children, disabled adults, seniors and families.

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