Welcome to the Department of Employment and Social Services (DESS) website. DESS is committed to collaborating with our many partners to provide a safe, healthy and self-reliant community. At DESS we aim to administer employment and social services to all citizens of Butte County with dignity and respect. Please explore the website and learn about the many employment and social services programs we provide.
Shelby Boston, MSW
Director /Public Guardian / Public Administrator
Options for Services
Your safety and the safety of our staff are important to us. Most of your needs can be met online or by phone. We appreciate your help to keep us all safe.
- You do not have to come into our office to apply for benefits.
- You can turn in your verifications online or in the drop boxes located in the front of our buildings.
To apply for benefits you may submit an application:
Online –
at
benefitscal.org or getcalfresh.org
By fax –
at 530-538-6918
By mail –
at PO Box 1649 - Oroville, CA 95965
By phone –
1-877-410-8803
To get general benefit information, ask case questions, or speak to an Eligibility Specialist, you may call our Customer Service Center (CSC) at:
1-877-410-8803
You may also use this number to:
- Request a new BIC or EBT card
- Get benefit information or a status update on your case
- Request an application for benefits
- Add someone to your case
- Help with your BenefitsCal account
- Change your IVR PIN number
If you have a BenefitsCal account, you can upload documents, verifications requested by your worker, complete your SAR7, etc. For help setting up a C4yourself account, you can call the CSC 1-877-410-8803.
If you would like to drop something off, you can use your drop boxes located in the front of our buildings. Documents dropped here are picked up and delivered to your worker within 24 hours.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Information for Unemployment Insurance
Butte County is responding to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and would like to keep customers up to date on information on ways to apply for support services provided by the Employment Development Department (EDD).
At this time, EDD staff are not available to assist clients in person. All contact will be by phone or on-line methods.
On-Line services: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/online_services.htm
EDD Customer Service Representative:
1-800-300-5616 (English)
1-800-326-8937 (Spanish)
- For those impacted by the coronavirus, follow the link below for information of how to apply and what customers can apply for and possibly receive benefits under each program through EDD.
- The next link to EDD will provide information and general guidance as to what programs are available and what situations may be applicable to your circumstances.
- Below is a video that customers may find helpful:
This link includes information for workers and employers as well as employment and health resources for those affected by the coronavirus.
https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019-espanol.htm (Spanish)
https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm
How to file for Unemployment Insurance on-line:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rPFvfznZvg
If you think someone has stolen your information to get benefits, you should report this to the agency or department where your stolen information was used right away.
Suspected Benefit Fraud and Identity Theft Information and Reporting
Services
Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP)
DO YOU NEED ASSISTANCE DURING AN EMERGENCY?
As part of Butte County’s Emergency Evacuation Plan, the Department of Employment and Social Services works collaboratively with multiple agencies to ensure that those in need of evacuation assistance during an emergency are identified and evacuated safely and efficiently. The Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) is a voluntary program for those with Access and Functional Needs (AFN) such as individuals with physical/developmental or intellectual disabilities, chronic conditions or injuries, limited English proficiency, older adults, children and low income households, homeless and/or transportation disadvantaged (i.e., dependent on public transit), and pregnant women. The Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) packet is available to anyone with Access and Functional Needs in the community who would like to receive additional information and register to be on this list.
WOULD YOU LIKE A SNAP PACKET?
If you would like to be included on the SNAP list to be contacted in an emergency, and receive a SNAP packet, please complete the registration card online by clicking here.
If you have any questions regarding your SNAP packet or registration to be on the SNAP list, please contact Butte County Adult Services Intake line at 530.538.7538, and press #2 or call our toll free number at 1.855.398.8899, or you can also send an email by clicking here.
ALERT FM Emergency Notification System
Butte County is partnering with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and ALERT FM to provide Alert FM devices to the community, and and you may be eligible to receive a free ALERT FM receiver if you live in an identified Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) affected area with low or no cellular coverage.
ALERT FM is a device that receives mass notifications in times of crisis or emergency. This device keeps citizens informed when the power, internet and/or cellular networks fail.
FREE devices are available on a FIRST COME, FIRST-SERVED basis for eligible households. Once supplies have been exhausted you may request to be added to a waitlist.
To learn more about ALERT FM you can visit
https://www.alertfm.com. To check your eligibility and/or
register for the program please call (530) 552-6887.
Households can check eligibility by entering their address into the Alert FM web map.
Services to help the elderly and persons with disabilities to live safely in their own homes. Investigates reports of elder or dependent adult abuse and neglect.
Investigates child abuse and neglect and works to preserve or restore family stability.
Parent and Guardian Information and Resources
CalWORKs provides temporary financial assistance and employment-related services to needy families with minor children.
Helps low-income people buy the food they need to remain healthy.
To qualify for CalFresh the minimum basic requirement(s) are listed below:
- Identity of Primary Applicant
- Gross non-exempt income
- Non-citizenship Status
- Social Security Number(s)
- Residency
If you are unable to provide or need assistance obtaining any required documentation please let your worker know and the county will assist in obtaining needed verification.
If you are in need of immediate food assistance please use any available option to apply listed above, under service options.
Expedited Service CalFresh benefit(s) are potentially available within 3 days to all households that apply and qualify.
You may qualify to receive benefits under Expedited Service if:
- You have less than $150 monthly gross income and less than $100 available liquid resources.
- Your combined monthly gross income and liquid resources are less than the household’s combined rent/mortgage and utility cost (SUA).
And
Proof of identity is required for Expedited Service. Examples of proof of identity include, but are not limited to:
- Driver License, picture ID, work or school ID, health benefits ID
- Birth Certificate
- Voter Registration Card
- Wage Stubs
- Collateral Contact
- Social Security Card
Medical Coverage
Medical coverage is available, including Medi-Cal, Expanded Medi-Cal, Health Care Reform Options, and the County Medical Services Program (CMSP).
The County Veterans Service Office is an office established by the Butte County Board of Supervisors to assist veterans, their dependents and survivors, and the general public in obtaining benefits from federal, state, and local agencies administering programs for veterans.
General Assistance provides three months of cash assistance to eligible, employable adults and provides longer-term assistance to eligible adults who are temporarily disabled or who are awaiting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) approval.
Butte Community Employment Centers - One Stops.
Each Butte Community Employment Center provides a wide variety of employment related services to both job seekers and employers, and a connecting point between the two.
See a full list of Butte Community Partners.