County of Santa Barbara Social Services

Department of Social Services Website

Food Assistance: CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps)

CalFresh is a supplemental program that helps low-income people buy the food they need in order to maintain adequate nutritional levels. The CalFresh program is funded by the Department of Agriculture and is administered by our department. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like a bank debit card and accepted at many markets and food stores, as well as some Farmer's Markets.

Through nutrition education partners, the CalFresh program helps clients learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices. Key partners are Women, Infant & Children (WIC) a nutrition program administered by the Public Health Department which helps many new mothers; the Meals on Wheels program administered by the Community Action Commission which helps many seniors; and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County which provides nutritional classes, food assistance, and CalFresh outreach.

Applicants can drop in to one of our three locations in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, or Santa Maria (see below); call any of our offices or our toll-free automated phone number (1-866-404-4007); mail in an application; or submit an application online from any computer with Internet access.

Medi-Cal/Health Coverage

Medi-Cal is California’s version of the federal Medicaid program.  This publicly funded health insurance program plays an essential role in California’s health care system by providing health care services for children and adults with limited income and resources.

Medi-Cal helps the uninsured in our community receive the medical services they need.  Special programs are available to help pregnant women, the terminally ill, those needing long-term care, and the aged, blind, and disabled.

Applicants can drop in or call any of our offices or our toll-free automated phone number (1-866-404-4007). As a foster youth/former foster youth, all you need to submit to begin your Medi-Cal services is the Form 250A. Click here for a copy of the form. If you have any trouble getting your services started, contact your case manager for support. 

CalFresh/Medi-Cal Office Locations

Job Services

The One-Stop Workforce Resource Center (WRC), with convenient locations in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, is a partnership of public, non-profit and community-based organizations.  Our mission is to provide training, education and employment services for job seekers and employers in a single, customer-friendly system.  The WRC system is open to any member of the public.

Additionally, Santa Barbara County receives funding from the State and Federal Governments to provide services per the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  WIA aims to increase the employment, job retention, earnings and occupational skills of the workforce, including adults, youth, and dislocated workers. Job-seekers must make a serious commitment to this non-entitlement program, in exchange for which they may qualify for comprehensive assessments; career counseling; and referrals or funding for occupational training, on-the-job training, and skill upgrades or retraining. 

You may also visit us at www.workforceresource.com to access our new INTER-LINK website where you will find useful information and tools for both job seekers and employers such as Labor Market Information, Career Exploration Information, Resume Writing Assistance, Job Posting and Recruitment Services; and many other enhanced internet-based resources.

A 29-member Workforce Investment Board, consisting of executives from local business organizations as well as public and private sector community leaders, oversees strategic initiatives, policies and performance outcomes.  Programs and services are carried out by the WRC system.

Workforce Resource Center Office Locations

Santa Barbara

130 E. Ortega Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

​Phone:(805) 568-1296

Hours: Monday - Friday:  8am-5pm

Santa Maria

1410 S. Broadway

Santa Maria, CA 93454

​Phone: (805) 614-1550

Hours: Monday - Friday:  8am-5pm

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