The O.C. SSA announces emergency CalFresh allotments for existing clients and more during the COVID-19 crisis

Orange County, Calif. – The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced 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 Semi-Annual 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. 

o   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 Centeris 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 http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.