While physical offices are temporarily closed, the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is still open for business and ready to serve you. You do not need to personally visit any of the DPSS offices to apply for or renew your benefits.
April 28 News for CalFresh Recipients
Starting April 28, CalFresh recipients can now use their EBT card to buy groceries online at Walmart and Amazon for home delivery. Spend $35 or more on groceries and get home delivery for free. Check if delivery is available to your zip code. As with many services during this time, also be sure to take into account the possibility of delivery delays.
If you need to apply for this benefit, visit the DPSS GetCalFresh website.
Existing DPSS Customers
Medi-Cal
If you are currently receiving Medi-Cal, your benefits will continue for March, April and May 2020. However, you will still need to comply with the renewal reporting requirement for Medi-Cal or your benefits will be terminated after the 90 days.
If you have received your renewal packet, you can mail it or upload it at the DPSS Website.
CalFresh, CalWORKs, General Relief, Refugee Cash Assistance, or Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
Your benefits will continue at the same level for March, April and May 2020. You do not have to submit a SAR-7, QR-7, or a recertification packet. You do not need to call DPSS as your benefits will continue without interruption. Your recertification will be due six months from your original due date. You will receive a notification letter informing you of when your next recertification is due.
If your recertification packet was due in:
- March 2020 - Your recertification is now due in September 2020.
- April 2020 – Your recertification is now due in October 2020.
- May 2020 – Your recertification is now due in November 2020.
Individuals should resume submitting the SAR-7 and QR-7 beginning in June 2020.
General Relief, CalWORKs
If you are currently receiving General Relief, your benefits will continue for March, April and May 2020. You do not need to submit a QR-7. You do not need to call DPSS as your benefits will continue.
CalWORKs and General Relief Welfare-to-Work requirements have been waived for March, April, and May 2020.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) reassessments have been suspended for 90 days. However, DPSS social workers will contact IHSS recipients to conduct assessments via telephone and perform welfare checks.
Unfortunately, the State still requires a face-to-face interview for new applications. DPSS will streamline this process by completing the application via telephone and scheduling the required face-to-face interview. To apply for IHSS, please call 1-888-944-4477, or if you have questions, please contact the IHSS Helpline at 1-888-822-9622.
Additional Relief for Existing CalFresh Customers
A CalFresh Emergency Allotment will be automatically added to your EBT card. This allotment will increase your CalFresh benefit to the maximum benefit amount for eligible household members up to a maximum of six members. For example, if you are a single adult receiving $140 per month, you will get an additional $54 for a maximum benefit amount of $194.
- March allotment will be distributed sometime in mid-April 2020.
- April allotment will be distributed at the end of April 2020.
Please visit the DPSS website or our social media pages for up-to-date information including the actual dates for issuance of the emergency allotments.
Individuals Who Need to Apply for Benefits
If you have lost your job, or just need assistance, please apply for benefits online by visiting the DPSS website. If you are applying for CalWORKs, General Relief, Refugee Cash Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, or CalFresh, please submit all the required documentation with the application and DPSS will waive the application interview.
DPSS is accepting self-certification/attestation for photo-identification, residency, income and expense requirements when applying for all programs. For information about program requirements, please visit the DPSS website and select the Programs & Services tab.
If you need immediate assistance, call the DPSS Customer Service Center at 1-866-613-3777.