Medi-Cal changes will benefit people over 50

Published 2/15/22; updated 5/2/22

Changes to Medi-Cal rules are coming soon for people over 50.

You may qualify for more Medi-Cal benefits. Full-scope Medi-Cal will be available to all people who are 50 years of age or older who meet all Medi-Cal eligibility criteria, and immigration status will not matter. (Start date for this change: 5/1/22.) For more information, see this DHCS webpage on the older adult expansion; you'll find a great FAQ sheet linked there.

You may be able to keep your assets and still qualify for Medi-Cal. These changes will also let people keep more property (assets) and still qualify for Medi-Cal. (Start date for this change: 7/1/22.) For more information, see this DHCS webpage on the asset limit changes for non-MAGI Medi-Cal.

EBT Cards: Temporary ATM Issue

Update as of 4/29/22:

The ATM Mis-Dispense Issue from April 4, 2022 has been resolved and all claims were paid as of April 9, 2022. Please note this was not part of a skimming or scamming electronic theft, but a mis-dispense issue.

Original post of 4/4/22:

What's the issue?

We have received reports of clients attempting to withdraw funds from their EBT cards, but the cards indicate zero funds and the ATM fails to dispense the money. The research conducted by the state has discovered a ATM mis-dispense issue which impacted multiple bank ATMs. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

What should I do if it happens to me?

EBT cardholders are encouraged to file a claim for any ATM mis-dispense issues. Claims can be filed by calling the EBT Helpline at (877) 328-9677. The Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and an automated menu will help answer your questions or direct your call.

What happens if I file a claim?

When you submit your mis-dispense claim, the state will do an investigation. If the claim is approved, the state will refund your money. It may take up to 20 business days. Unfortunately, we at your local DSS office cannot do anything other than encourage you to open up a claim to start this process.

Is this theft or a scam? Is there a problem with my case?

No. This is not the result of theft (such as electronic skimming or a scam), and does not indicate a problem with your case (such benefits being canceled). It is a mis-dispense issue (the official term for when an ATM doesn't provide the money required or doesn't provide all the money requested). The third-party processor is currently working to solve this issue.

EBT cards to become more secure

Published 3/10/22. Updated 6/15/22.

A change is coming that will make your EBT card more secure!

Due to a recent increase in Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) theft, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will begin including Card Verification Value (CVV) as part of the electronic transaction validation process for food and cash EBT purchases. This change will improve card security for cardholders. 

The CVV number is an added layer of coding embedded in the magnetic strip and is not visible to cardholders. All cards printed since October 2018 already have CVV technology and are just awaiting CVV activation to be turned on. 

If your card was issued prior to October 2018, then the EBT vendor will automatically send you a replacement card in the mail, with instructions to start using the new card. Activate and start using the new card right away. Once you activate the new card, it will deactivate the old card. Your PIN and benefits from the old card will not change. 

Cards printed in our office, or issued by the EBT vendor after October 2018, will not be impacted. 

The activation of the CVV technology is currently planned for late April 2022. Once it is turned on, the old cards issued prior to October 2018 will no longer work. 

If you have any questions about the new cards, you can call EBT customer service at 1 (877) 328-9677, or call the Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services Access number, 1 (866) 404-4007, to reach your district office or the BSC.

REMINDER: Please be aware that when you make someone a Designated Alternate Cardholder (DAC) or Authorized Representative (AR), they will have access to ALL of your cash aid and/or CalFresh benefits. If you have ever requested a DAC or AR that you no longer wish to have access to your benefits but did not call to remove them, then they may also receive a new card. The county is not responsible for lost or stolen benefits by a DAC or AR. You can change who can access your cash aid or CalFresh by calling EBT customer service at 1 (877) 328-9677, or your worker at 1 (866) 404-4007. Remember: to keep your benefits secure, it is YOUR responsibility to call EBT customer service or your worker to have them terminate access to your EBT account for another household member, a DAC, or an AR.

Microbusiness Grant Program

If you have a very small business (such as sidewalk vending, work you do on the side, etc.), and your business was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new microbusiness grant program could offer you up to $2500.

The Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program is a joint effort of the state, county, and a local nonprofit. It especially aims to help businesses that otherwise might be too small for other programs, and people who might otherwise face difficulties getting loans or grants (for example because they have a low income, or are undocumented, or have limited English, or are in a rural area, etc.). 

For more information, see this press release or the program webpage. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the webpage for information on how you can sign up for an informational workshop.

BSC menu options changing

The Santa Barbara County Benefit Service Center (BSC) at 1-844-289-4682 is your go-to phone number for help with your existing CalFresh or MediCal case. 

Now, when you call starting January 26, 2022, be sure to listen carefully because our menu options are changing to serve you better. You’ll be able to select why you’re calling, so we can get you to the right person faster.

Plus, we'll have more recorded information available. And we'll continue to offer our popular call-back service so you don’t have to wait on hold.

We look forward to talking with you soon.