Health and Human Services

San Diego County Health and Human Services connects residents with public health programs, food and cash assistance, health coverage, behavioral health care, services for older adults and people with disabilities, child and family programs, housing assistance, and other county-operated support. This article explains how the agency is organized, which service area handles common requests, how to locate an appropriate office, what information to prepare, and how to avoid delays caused by contacting the wrong department or submitting incomplete case information.

Agency Scope and Organization

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, commonly identified as HHSA, is one of the four major groups within county government. Its role extends beyond health clinics or public assistance applications. The agency operates a broad network of health, housing, protective, social-service, and self-sufficiency programs intended to help residents remain healthy, safe, and independent.

The official Health and Human Services Agency website provides entry points for frequently requested services, including CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, vaccination clinics, behavioral health care, housing or rent assistance, In-Home Supportive Services, services for older adults, and birth and death certificates.

HHSA services are divided among specialized departments rather than handled through one general application or one office. The agency’s service structure includes Aging and Independence Services, Behavioral Health Services, Child and Family Well-Being, Housing and Community Development Services, Medical Care Services, Public Health Services, and Self-Sufficiency Services. Support divisions also assist with agency administration, contracts, information technology, privacy, compliance, and related operations.

The HHSA service departments directory is useful when a resident knows the general category of help needed but does not yet know the program name. Residents searching for a specific program can instead review the county’s alphabetical list of HHSA services.

Choosing the Correct Service

Selecting the right department at the beginning can prevent transfers, duplicate applications, and unnecessary trips to a county facility. A request involving food benefits, health coverage, or cash assistance generally belongs with Self-Sufficiency Services. A request involving communicable disease, immunizations, public health clinics, or vital records generally belongs with Public Health Services. Mental health and substance use services are handled through Behavioral Health Services.

Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers may need Aging and Independence Services. Reports or questions concerning child welfare and protective services belong with Child and Family Well-Being. Rental assistance and county housing programs are administered through Housing and Community Development Services.

Some situations involve more than one service area. A family may need CalFresh through Self-Sufficiency Services, Medi-Cal health coverage, and housing assistance through Housing and Community Development Services. These are separate programs, and contacting one department does not automatically open a case with another department.

Public Assistance Programs

Self-Sufficiency Services administers several programs for residents who need food, medical, cash, or related assistance. The program area includes CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, County Medical Services, and General Relief. Eligibility rules and benefit calculations differ among these programs, so an approval or denial for one program does not determine the outcome of another.

Residents should identify the specific program connected to their question. For example, an EBT food-benefit issue should be identified as a CalFresh matter, while a health-coverage question should be identified as a Medi-Cal matter. A household receiving more than one benefit should specify which case or benefit is affected when speaking with county staff.

Health and Clinical Services

Public Health Services is the local health department operating within HHSA. Its responsibilities include preventing the spread of disease, responding to health threats, protecting communities from environmental hazards, supporting healthy behavior, preventing injuries, and helping communities recover from disasters.

Public Health Services also oversees a wide range of programs involving immunizations, tuberculosis prevention and care, HIV and sexually transmitted disease services, maternal and child health, childhood lead poisoning prevention, oral health, epidemiology, refugee health, public health preparedness, and vital records.

Mental Health and Substance Use Care

Behavioral Health Services provides mental health and substance use care for people living in San Diego County. Its services include programs for adults, older adults, children, and youth, along with emergency and crisis support, outpatient care, case management, hospital-related services, substance use treatment, and behavioral health referrals.

Behavioral health requests should not be directed to the ACCESS benefits call center unless the question concerns a separate public-assistance case. Residents who are unsure which mental health or substance use program fits their situation can call or text 9-8-8 or call 1-888-724-7240. Both services operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provide support in more than 200 languages. A person experiencing an immediate emergency should call 9-1-1.

Older Adults and Disabilities

Aging and Independence Services serves older adults, people with disabilities, family members, and caregivers. Its programs include In-Home Supportive Services, Adult Protective Services, senior dining and meal programs, health insurance counseling, care coordination, intergenerational programs, long-term care ombudsman services, volunteer opportunities, and information for caregivers.

The Aging and Independence Services call center can be reached at 800-339-4661. Callers should explain whether the request concerns an existing case, suspected abuse, in-home support, caregiver assistance, senior meals, long-term care, or another aging-related program. Providing the correct service category allows staff to route the inquiry more efficiently.

Children and Family Programs

Children’s programs within HHSA include child care services, child support information, Child and Family Well-Being, First 5 Commission programs, foster and adoptive resource family services, and protective services. Child welfare operations also include the child abuse hotline, independent living services, relative notification, the Polinsky Children’s Center, and regional Child Welfare Services offices.

Questions about children and family services or protective services can be directed to the KidsLine at 877-792-5437. Callers should be prepared to describe the type of service involved rather than referring only to “children’s services,” because child care, child support, child welfare, health programs, and protective services are handled through different processes.

Housing and Rental Assistance

Housing and Community Development Services administers county housing programs, including rental assistance, community development activities, affordable housing information, landlord resources, veterans housing information, and programs connected to ending homelessness.

Residents seeking housing or rental assistance can call the department’s general information line at 858-694-4801. Applicants should distinguish between applying for assistance, updating an existing application, reporting a change, asking about an inspection, or requesting information about available rental housing. These requests may require different staff or systems.

Regional Offices and Facilities

HHSA operates facilities throughout Central, East, North Central, North Coastal, North Inland, South, and South Central areas. Available services differ by facility. A building described as a Family Resource Center may handle public-assistance matters, while a Public Health Center may provide health-related programs. Other locations may house Child Welfare Services, Aging and Independence Services, Behavioral Health Services, military and veterans programs, or administrative operations.

The county’s HHSA facilities directory organizes locations by region and identifies the services available at each facility. Residents should review the facility name and program listing before traveling. Choosing a location based only on proximity can result in arriving at an office that does not handle the requested service.

Services Vary by Region

Central-area facilities serve communities that include Downtown, North Park, College Area, Encanto, Paradise Hills, Barrio Logan, Hillcrest, Mission Hills, and University Heights. Facilities in this region include Family Resource Centers, Public Health Centers, Child Welfare Services, Behavioral Health locations, and other specialized operations.

East-region locations serve El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee, Alpine, Spring Valley, Lakeside, and Mountain Empire communities. North Central facilities cover areas such as Del Mar, Clairemont, La Jolla, Linda Vista, Mira Mesa, Mission Valley, San Carlos, and Scripps Ranch. North Coastal facilities serve Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Camp Pendleton, and nearby communities.

North Inland operations serve Escondido, Poway, San Marcos, northern parts of the City of San Diego, and smaller surrounding communities. South-region facilities serve Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, Nestor, Otay Mesa, and San Ysidro. The county directory should be checked for the exact services available within each regional facility.

Administrative and In-Person Locations

The main HHSA mailing address is an administrative contact point and does not provide in-person services. Letters sent there are forwarded to the appropriate service area. Residents who need face-to-face assistance should select a Family Resource Center, Public Health Center, regional Live Well Center, or another facility that specifically lists the required program.

This distinction is especially relevant for benefit applications, document submission, child welfare matters, clinic services, and case-specific questions. An administrative office may accept general correspondence but cannot be assumed to perform the same functions as a regional service center.

ACCESS Customer Service

The ACCESS Customer Service Call Center assists San Diego County residents with Family Resource Center programs and services. Its trained workers handle questions involving CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal. The center also assists with other public-assistance matters identified by HHSA, including the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, County Medical Services, and General Relief.

The official ACCESS Customer Service Call Center page explains the available case services and operating schedule. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on county holidays.

Requests Handled by ACCESS

ACCESS can help residents apply for benefits, request forms and applications, check an application’s status, report changes to a case, and obtain case information. Residents may also use the state-operated BenefitsCal system to apply for services and upload documents.

Common changes that may need to be reported include changes affecting household composition, income, expenses, or other case details. The specific reporting obligations depend on the program and the household’s circumstances. Residents should use the instructions associated with their case rather than assuming that reporting rules are identical for CalFresh, CalWORKs, and Medi-Cal.

Information to Prepare

Before contacting ACCESS, gather the information already connected to the application or case. Useful details may include:

The applicant’s full name as it appears on the application.
The public-assistance program involved.
An application or case number, when one has been issued.
The date an application or document was submitted.
A clear description of the change, problem, or requested action.
Information about any notice received from the county.
Current contact information for a requested response.

Do not confuse a BenefitsCal account issue with a county eligibility decision. BenefitsCal is used for online applications and document uploads, while county eligibility workers determine public-assistance cases. When reporting an upload problem, identify the document and upload date. When asking about eligibility, identify the program and the county notice or case status involved.

CalFresh Food Assistance

CalFresh provides monthly food benefits to qualifying low-income households. The program is known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on factors that include household size, income, and expenses.

Approved benefits are issued on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card. The EBT card can be used to buy eligible food at participating grocery stores, online stores, and farmers markets. CalFresh is separate from CalWORKs cash assistance even though both programs may use an EBT card. Residents should identify which benefit is affected when reporting a card or account concern.

Applications and Urgent Food Needs

Residents may apply for CalFresh through county channels, including ACCESS and the BenefitsCal system. A person needing food immediately may apply and could be eligible to receive benefits in as few as three days. This is not a guaranteed processing period for every application; eligibility for faster assistance depends on the household’s circumstances.

Applicants should provide accurate information about household members, income, and expenses. Missing or inconsistent information may require additional county review. When the county requests verification, the applicant should submit the requested material through an accepted method and retain a record of what was provided.

EBT Card Security

HHSA warns residents about electronic EBT benefit theft and scams. Cardholders should rely on official county or state instructions when responding to an EBT problem. A request for a replacement card, a report of suspected theft, and a question about benefit eligibility are different matters and may require different actions.

Newer EBT cards may include chip and tap features. Receiving a new card does not change the need to protect card information and monitor benefit activity. Residents should avoid sharing account details in response to unsolicited messages or communications that do not come through an official government channel.

Medi-Cal Health Coverage

The Medi-Cal program is California’s Medicaid program. It provides free or low-cost health coverage to eligible children and adults. The county’s Medi-Cal service information includes application instructions, eligibility requirements, covered benefits, program guides, Family Resource Centers, and answers to common program questions.

ACCESS handles questions about applying for Medi-Cal and existing county cases. Residents should clearly distinguish between eligibility administration and medical care. ACCESS can address an application, case status, requested form, or reported change, but questions about treatment, appointments, provider availability, or a medical emergency belong with the appropriate health provider or emergency service.

Case and Coverage Questions

A Medi-Cal applicant contacting the county should identify whether the issue involves a new application, a renewal, requested verification, an eligibility notice, or a change in household circumstances. A current member should avoid assuming that a health plan membership number is the same as a county case number. Providing the type of number and the document on which it appears can reduce confusion.

County information also addresses Medi-Cal budget changes and the reinstatement of property limits for some recipients. Residents affected by a county notice should follow the instructions and deadlines stated in that notice rather than relying on general program descriptions.

CalWORKs and Employment Services

CalWORKs provides temporary cash assistance to eligible families with minor children. The program is intended to support families while promoting movement toward self-sufficiency through employment. CalWORKs services can include cash benefits, employment services, direct deposit, diversion services, Cal-Learn, and housing support for eligible families working toward housing stability.

CalWORKs eligibility is separate from CalFresh and Medi-Cal eligibility. A household may apply for more than one program, but each program has its own requirements and benefit rules. Applicants should respond to requests associated with each program and should not assume that a document submitted for one case action automatically resolves every pending request.

CalWORKs participants should identify whether their question concerns cash benefits, employment services, an EBT card, direct deposit, housing support, or another program component. This allows ACCESS or Family Resource Center staff to direct the request to the correct case function.

Public Health Services

The Public Health Services department protects community health through disease prevention, health monitoring, clinic services, emergency preparedness, public education, and specialized programs. Its work includes responding to communicable diseases and environmental health concerns while maintaining services for individuals, families, health care providers, and communities.

Certificates and Vital Records

The Office of Vital Records and Statistics handles county birth certificates, death certificates, and burial permits. A vital-record request is different from a medical-record request. Birth and death certificates document vital events, while medical records relate to care received through a hospital, clinic, behavioral health provider, or another treatment program.

Residents should use the certificate instructions provided by the Office of Vital Records and Statistics and confirm that they are requesting the correct record type. Birth certificates, death certificates, burial permits, and medical records are not interchangeable and are not processed through the same service channel.

Prevention and Clinic Programs

Public Health Services operates or coordinates programs involving immunizations, tuberculosis, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, maternal and child health, childhood lead poisoning, oral health, refugee health, chronic disease prevention, community epidemiology, and public health preparedness.

The correct location depends on the service. A regional Public Health Center may offer certain clinic or prevention services, but not every public health program is available at every facility. Residents should check the facilities directory and the program-specific page before visiting.

Behavioral Health Services

Behavioral Health Services provides mental health and substance use services, referrals, and crisis support. Available service categories include adult and older adult mental health care, children and youth programs, substance use treatment, outpatient clinics, emergency services, case management, hospital services, pharmacy services, and behavioral health housing resources.

A person requesting help for someone else should be prepared to explain the concern, the person’s approximate age group, and whether the situation involves an immediate crisis, ongoing mental health symptoms, substance use, or a need for service referrals. Emergency situations should be directed to emergency services rather than handled as a routine administrative inquiry.

Common Service Mistakes

Many delays begin with a request being sent to an office that does not administer the program. Common mistakes include contacting a Public Health Center about a CalFresh case, asking ACCESS to schedule medical treatment, visiting an administrative mailing location for in-person service, or assuming that every regional facility offers every HHSA program.

Other problems arise when residents do not identify the specific benefit or service involved. “My benefits stopped” may refer to food benefits, cash assistance, health coverage, or another program. The county needs to know the program name, the affected person, the relevant case or application, and the notice or event that led to the question.

Residents should also avoid creating duplicate applications solely because a status update has not yet appeared. A duplicate submission can make it harder to identify which application or documents belong to the current request. The better approach is to contact the appropriate program, provide the original submission details, and ask for the existing application’s status.

When documents are requested, submit the exact items described in the notice and keep a record of the submission date and method. Uploading a document does not necessarily mean the case action has been completed. County staff may still need to review the material or request clarification.

Preparing for County Contact

A clear, organized request helps county staff determine the correct program and next action. Before calling, writing, uploading a document, or visiting a facility, prepare:

The name of the HHSA program or department.
The applicant’s or client’s full name.
The relevant case, application, or notice information.
The date of the most recent application, notice, call, or document submission.
A brief description of the requested action.
Copies of documents connected to the request.
Current contact information when requesting a response.

For written correspondence to HHSA, include enough information for the agency to identify the service area and return the inquiry. The county asks residents to include their name and contact information when seeking a response by telephone or email. General letters sent to the administrative mailing address are forwarded to the appropriate service, but in-person services are not available at that location.

Departments and Offices

Health and Human Services Agency, County of San Diego
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 206, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 515-6555

ACCESS Customer Service Call Center
PO Box 939043, San Diego, CA 92193-9043
1-866-262-9881
TDD: 711

Health and Human Services FAQs

Where can health care providers find disease-reporting instructions?

Health care professionals and laboratories should use the County’s Public Health Services programs page to locate reporting requirements for communicable diseases. The page also provides access to epidemiology information, current public health alerts, provider guidance, reporting resources, and program-specific materials for conditions such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections. Providers should select the reporting section that matches their role because instructions for clinicians and laboratories may differ.

Does the county publish local health data?

Yes. Public Health Services maintains county-level reports and datasets covering demographics, disease trends, health equity, community health statistics, older adults, environmental conditions, and other public health measures. Some information is available through reports, maps, statistical tables, and the county’s health data portal. Users looking for a specific subject should start with the relevant program area rather than searching only by neighborhood or ZIP Code.

How do veterans find the right county program?

Veterans and military families can look for Office of Military and Veterans Affairs services through the HHSA All Services A-Z directory. County facilities may also include Military and Veterans Resource Centers. Available services differ by region, so residents should confirm that a location specifically lists veterans assistance before visiting.

Where are privacy notices and client-rights documents?

The A-Z directory includes privacy policies, procedures, forms, client-rights materials, and notices describing how protected information is handled. Residents requesting records or questioning the use of personal information should choose the privacy or client-rights section connected to the program involved. Behavioral health, public assistance, child welfare, and medical programs may follow different request procedures, so a general HHSA form may not be appropriate for every case.