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Update 25-12: TransPerfect Video Remote Interpretation (VRI)
Common Place Handbook
| Date | References | Clerical | Implementation |
| 12/05/25 | N/A | N/A | Immediately |
Background
SSA DEBS staff have four options for language access vendors to meet over the phone interpretation and document translation needs. Depending on which service best meets client-specific requirements and/or language availability, staff may select from any of the available language access vendors:
- Propio (formerly known as CyraCom),
- Global Interpreting Network,
- Hanna Interpreting Services, and
- TransPerfect.
Staff are reminded to prioritize VRI services for American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, or when a standard three-way telephone call with an interpreter is insufficient to meet the client's communication needs.
Changes
TransPerfect has introduced a new VRI platform available to DEBS staff, offering services in ASL, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Russian. Additional VRI languages will be introduced based on future demand, and staff can continue to access other VRI options and numerous languages via SSA's three alternative language access vendors. With the addition of TransPerfect's video remote interpretation (VRI) platform, all four vendors now have VRI capability.
Detailed guidance can be found in the Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) topic in the Common Place Handbook.
The following Common Place Handbook topics have been revised as a result of this Update:
* Important: All four language access vendor account numbers, phone numbers, and PINs can be found on the dual-sided Over the Phone Interpreter Phone Numbers and PINs document on the DEBS Program & Policy Bureau > Resources > Reference Materials > Language/Translations Resource Material page.
Documentation
The use of interpreter services must be documented in the CalSAWS Case Journal. For guidance on documentation requirements, refer to the Interpreter Services Documentation section in the Interpreter Services topic.
Other Programs
The information contained in this Update applies to all DEBS programs.
Department of Employment & Benefits Services
Contact Person(s): Kamille-Angelita Reddy, SSA Business Policy Implementation Specialist