Eligibility Worker Co-Location

Eligibility Workers (EWs) may be temporarily located at off-site, non-Social Service Agency locations. These co-located EWs will process applications completed at the off-site location.

Emergency Assistance Network (EAN)

The EAN is made up of several community based organizations and provides a variety of services to prevent homelessness and act as a safety net for residents facing eviction, utility disconnections and hunger. The EAN also offers assistance to help families and individuals recover from emergency situations. Individuals and families serviced by EAN are often eligible for public benefits.

Community Outreach

The EAN often identify individuals in need of assistance who are hesitant or in some cases, unable to reach out to the Social Services Agency for aid. The EAN reach out to these individuals and explain the potential aid they may be eligible to receive. If the individual is interested in applying for benefits, they are told which day an EW will be on-site to process their applications. The EAN then assists the individuals with completing applications, usually via BenefitsCal. Once the applications are electronically received from BenefitsCal, they are downloaded by designated clerical staff and processed by co-located EWs.

BenefitsCal Application Processing

Follow the steps below when downloading and processing BenefitsCal applications off-site.

Emergency Assistance Network (EAN)   

• Assists applicant with BenefitsCal online registration and application process.
• Uploads any documents/verifications the applicant may have.
• Writes BenefitsCal tracking number down.
• Provides BenefitsCal tracking number to applicant for their future reference and follow-up.
• Provides all forms and tracking number to the co-located EW.

Co-Located EW   

• Receives forms and tracking number from the EAN.
• Contacts designated clerical person and provides BenefitsCal tracking number and client’s SSN.

Designated Clerical   

• Downloads corresponding BenefitsCal application based on tracking number and/or SSN.
• Completes application registration through CalSAWS interface.
• Notifies EW when the application has been registered.

Co-Located EW   

• Finalizes application processing and authorizes the case.
• Submits application/verification documents to be scanned into IDM when back in district office.
• Submits request for EBT card, as an email attachment, to clerical staff for processing.
• Informs clerical whether the client will be coming into district office to pick up EBT card or if they would like it mailed to their mailing address.

Designated Clerical   

• Generates EBT card when client comes into the SSA office, OR
• Mails EBT card to client’s mailing address.

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