COVID-19 Information and Resources

COVID-19 continues to challenge the economic health of our community, but help is available. Learn about the Pandemic Public Benefits Available to Alameda County Residents. Also available in Spanish, Tagalog, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Chinese-Simplified, Chinese-Traditional, Korean, and Arabic.

• The map includes food distribution sites, testing sites, and other essential services which are currently open under the COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place (SIP) Order. The map will be updated regularly and remain active for the duration of the SIP Order. The map was a collaborative effort between the Alameda County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Care & Shelter Branch, Alameda County Community Food Bank, 211, and cities.

Open Interactive Map

At this time, our Adult and Aging Services (AAS) lobby is closed to the general public. We want to keep you and those you care for safe. We remain committed to meeting your needs by phone, video conference and online. For limited purposes only, you may be able to access the AAS lobby. Please continue reading for program specific Covid-19 information.

For our AAS Covid-19 Guidance for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities, CLICK HERE

You have the right to ask for a hearing if you disagree with any county action. You can ask for a hearing even if you do not get a written notice from the county. To file an Appeal for CalFresh, CalWORKs, General Assistance, Medi-Cal, IHSS, Foster Care, and Welfare-to-Wrok Fair Hearings click here.

• The temporary 15% increase to CalFresh benefits ended September 30, 2021. Effective October 1, 2021, new CalFresh maximum benefit allotments were implemented. To see the new CalFresh maximum benefit amount and gross income allowable, click here. 
• CalFresh benefits were temporarily increased by 15% from January 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. A supplemental benefit issuance for January and February 2021 was loaded onto EBT cards on February 7, 2021. The March 2021 – September 30, 2021 benefit increases were issued on the household’s normal issuance day.
• CalFresh eligibility has been temporarily expanded to students who are eligible for federal or state work study (previously students had to be eligible and participate) or students with an Expected Family Contribution of zero dollars.
• Beginning with the April 2021 Emergency Allotment (EA), all CalFresh households will receive at least $95 in EAs regardless if a household is already receiving the maximum allowable for their household size. Households that received an EA under the previous policy of less than $95 will now receive $95. Households that received an EA under the previous policy of greater than $95 will continue to receive the greater amount.
• Emergency Allotments will end after the February 2023 benefit month and final EA benefits will be issued on March 26, 2023. After this, households will not receive additional EAs and will only continue to receive their regular monthly CalFresh benefit allotment. See our flyer for more information.
• Please refer to the chart below for the issuance dates for the March 2021-February 2023 emergency allotments.
  

  CalFresh Emergency Allotment Month	Issuance Date
  March 2020	April 12, 2020
  April 2020	May 10, 2020
  May 2020	June 14, 2020
  June 2020	July 12, 2020
  August 2020	September 13, 2020
  September 2020	October 18, 2020
  October 2020	November 15,2020
  November 2020	December 20, 2020
  December 2020	January 10, 2021
  January 2021	February 14, 2021
  February 2021	March 7, 2021
  March 2021	April 18, 2021
  April 2021	May 16, 2021
  May 2021	June 13, 2021
  June 2021	July 18, 2021
  July 2021	August 8, 2021
  August 2021	September 11, 2021
  September 2021	October 24, 2021
  October 2021	November 14, 2021
  November 2021	December 12, 2021
  December 2021	January 16, 2022
  January 2022	February 27, 2022
  February 2022	March 20, 2022
  March 2022	April 17, 2022
  April 2022	May 22, 2022
  May 2022	June 19, 2022
  June 2022	July 24, 2022
  July 2022	August 21, 2022
  August 2022	September 10, 2022
  September 2022	October 16, 2022
  October 2022	November 20, 2022
  November 2022	December 18, 2022
  December 2022	January 14, 2023
  January 2023	February 12, 2023
  February 2023 (Last Month)	March 26, 2023

• SAR 7s and recertifications are not currently waived and need to be submitted by their due dates.
• CalFresh intake and recertification interviews may be waived if a complete application with all applicable questions answered and all applicable mandatory verifications are submitted.

ABAWD Work Requirement

• Effective April 1, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act suspended the work requirement for all Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs).
• CalFresh ABAWD recipients may continue to receive CalFresh benefits without having to meet the work requirement so long as they comply with CalFresh reporting requirements.

• SAR 7s and redeterminations are not currently waived and need to be submitted by their due dates.
• Clients may apply for CalWORKs Homeless Assistance over the phone.
• CalWORKs Homeless Assistance payments will be issued via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT).

• The Golden State Grant (GSG) program was a $600 one-time payment of grant to households that were enrolled in the CalWORKs program. Payment was issued on 03/27/2021. For more information on the GSG program, click here.
• Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF) is a $640 one-time grant to households enrolled in the CalWORKs program. Payment was issued on 07/10/2021. For more information on the PEAF program, click here.

CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work Requirements

CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work program participation requirements have returned to full participation. Employment Services staff continue to utilize statewide flexibilities to provide case management services remotely and in-person, including connecting clients to online employment and training resources and supportive services.

• Supportive Services - Supportive Services are offered and available when needed.
• WTW Participation Hours - If you are unable to meet your participation hours, please contact your Employment Counselor to discuss your options.
• Participation Verification Submission - Participation/attendance verification documents can be submitted to your designated Employment Counselor via US mail, electronically, fax or in-person.

Alameda County has three Child Care Resource and Referral (R&R) Agencies.  These agencies offer free child care information and referral services for all families, regardless of income.  If you need help paying for child care, ask staff about child care payment assistance.

Emergency Child Care Grants and Supplies

The Alameda County Social Services Agency funded First 5 Alameda County to administer $4 million dollars from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to offer COVID-19 relief to Alameda County Licensed Family Child Care (FCC) Providers.  Of the total amount, $3 million will go toward grants to support an estimated 400 in-home family child care (FCC) providers.  This funding will help these child care providers keep their doors open to serve families, particularly in underserved communities.  The remaining $1 million will be used to used to purchase and distribute supplies, such as adult and child face masks, air purifiers, hand sanitizer, and more.

• Domestic Violence Resource Guide
• For more information on available statewide and population specific domestic violence resources for CalWORKs recipients, click here.

Visit this website http://foodnow.net/food-today/ to find free food pantry locations in Alameda County, and call 1-800-870-FOOD to get updated information on the status and open hours of all locations.

If you are in need of immediate emergency shelter and housing assistance, please call 211 or the Bay Area Helpline at 1-800-273-6222, or text your zip code to 898211.

SAR 7s and renewals are not currently waived and need to be submitted by their due dates.

• GA application interviews, mental health assessments, and Social Worker meetings are being conducted over the phone. In-person appointments are available for those that do not have access to a phone or have barriers that prevent them from participating in a telephone appointment.
• All GA applicants and recipients who are deemed to have a temporary or permanent/persistent condition that prevents them from working will be given an extension to provide the required documentation.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is available for through the AAS lobby for limited purposes only. Please read the information provided below for Recipient and Provider information.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is now available to all IHSS recipients and providers in the AAS lobby until supplies run out. 

ATTENTION RECIPIENTS

Please know that your IHSS hours will continue to be in place during this time. If you have any questions or have additional service needs, contact your IHSS Social Worker.

• For information on COVID-19, please click on the CDSS Informational for IHSS Recipients.

ATTENTION PROVIDERS

If you are an IHSS provider without symptoms and have not been exposed to COVID-19, you should continue working for your IHSS recipient(s) during the period of this emergency. Please take precautions recommended by public health agencies to prevent transmission of COVID-19 (CDPH Guidance).

• Provider Orientation: Following CDC guidance on social distancing, all in-person provider orientations are limited to 18 or fewer attendees (9 per session). Orientations are drop-in only and on a first-come, first serve basis. Please click on the calendar below for details:
  
  

  IHSS Provider Orientation December 2021

  IHSS Provider Orientation January 2022

  IHSS Provider Orientation February 2022

  IHSS Provider Orientation March 2022

• Submitting Documents: You may now submit all required enrollment documents by email to: IHSSProviderEnrollment@acgov.org OR fax to: 510-577-1803. If you are unable to submit documents by email or fax, you may continue to mail them to the office: 6955 Foothill Blvd., Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94605 OR drop-off your completed forms at the table located outside of the AAS Lobby at Suite 143.

• Medi-Cal recipients should continue to submit their annual Medi-Cal renewal as it will be processed at a later date.
• If you have received a renewal packet, you can submit the renewal packet via mail, fax, or online at www.benefitscal.com.
• If you currently pay a premium for the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP), the Optional Targeted Low Income Program (OTLICP) and are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, click here.
• If you currently pay a premium for the 250% Working Disabled Program (WDP) and cannot pay your premiums, click here.

Flexibility related to eligibility requirements, interviews, and any alternative accommodations implemented in the CalWORKs program is also applied to the RCA and Refugee Support Services (RSS) programs.

RCA employment services participation requirements have been waived until further notice. Employment Services staff are continuing to provide case management services over the phone, including connecting clients to online employment and training resources and supportive services.

The Veteran Service Office (VSO) is currently available for mask to mask appointments, Monday – Thursday, 8:30am to 3:00pm. Appointments must be made in advance by email, veterans@acgov.org or by phone, 510-577-1926. The VSO is open for limited walk-up services through the AAS lobby, Suite 143, pursuant to the business hours stated above.