SANTA ANA (CNS) - Orange County's Social Services Agency is closing four of its public assistance lobbies beginning today as a precautionary measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Officials are directing the public to the agency's website, but said SSA eligibility staff will be stationed in front of the offices in Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Aliso Viejo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday to provide critical benefits assistance to individuals who may not have access to telephone or internet services.
The four centers are the Aliso Viejo Regional Center at 115 Columbia, the Garden Grove Regional Center at 12912 Brookhurst St., the Anaheim Regional Center at 3320 E. La Palma Ave., and the Santa Ana Regional Center at 1928 S. Grand Ave.
As of Dec. 31, the Aliso Viejo Regional Center will shut its doors, with staff and services from that location transitioning to the Laguna Hills Regional Center at 23330 Moulton Parkway. The LHRC lobby will remain closed, and eligibility staff will be stationed in front of the office on Jan. 4 to assist individuals experiencing accessibility issues by phone/internet.
Orange County households interested in applying for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief and CalWORKs benefits or wishing to review existing case information can visit www.ssa.ocgov.com, www.mybenefitscalwin.org, or call 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.
Those applying for CalFresh benefits only can visitwww.getcalfresh.org, while those applying for Medi-Cal only can visit www.coveredca.com.
SSA will continue to provide drive-through benefits issuance for the distribution of new and replacement Electronic Benefit Transfer and Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Cards by appointment only.
To apply for in-home supportive services or for questions related to ongoing IHSS cases, call 714-825-3000.
To apply for Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, call 800-281-9799.
If you suspect a child is at risk of abuse or neglect, call then SSA's Child Abuse Registry at 800-207-4464 or 714-940-1000.
The Adult Protective Services Hotline can be reached at 800-451-5155 if you suspect a senior or dependent adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.
Photo: Getty Images