To reduce electronic benefit theft, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is upgrading EBT cards to Chip and Tap enabled cards starting from late February 2025 with mass card replacement mailings. Current EBT cardholders can expect to receive their new EBT card in the mail and do not need to visit a Social Services Agency (SSA) office to receive the updated card unless the cardholder is using the SSA office as their mailing address.

For more information about this change is available here:
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Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) has developed a dedicated page to provide updates on current employment opportunities within our Agency. If you are a dedicated public servant and love working with the community, check out our open positions and apply today!

Here is the direct link: https://socialservices.alamedacountyca.gov/about-us/Administration/Human-Resources/career-opportunities

Or click on the Learn More button to visit our careers page directly.

Starting January 1, 2026, new applicants 19 years of age or older who do not have Satisfactory Immigration Status (SIS) or are unable to provide verification that they have SIS will no longer be able to enroll into full scope Medi-Cal. Individuals who do not have SIS or are unable to provide verification that they have SIS and apply on or after January 1, 2026, will only be eligible to restricted scope Medi-Cal, which covers emergency related and pregnancy related services.

Individuals who are already enrolled into full scope Medi-Cal prior to January 1, 2026, will be able to keep their full scope Medi-Cal, regardless of their immigration status, if they continue to meet all other requirements, including completing Medi-Cal renewal requirements.

Additionally, children under the age of 19 and pregnant individuals who apply for Medi-Cal on or after January 1, 2026, will continue to be eligible for full scope Medi-Cal, regardless of their immigration status, if they meet all other eligibility requirements. Pregnant individuals will be able to keep their full scope Medi-Cal for the duration of their pregnancy and their one-year postpartum period.

Effective January 1, 2026, the asset limit test will be reinstated for all Non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs, including Long Term Care (LTC) and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), except for the Pickle, Disabled Adult Child (DAC), and Disabled Widow/er (DW) programs.

The asset limits will be set at $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member (up to a maximum of 10 people) for the impacted Non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs. Individuals who apply for Non-MAGI Medi-Cal on or after January 1, 2026, will be required to provide asset information and verification at application. Members who are currently enrolled in Non-MAGI Medi-Cal will be required to provide asset information and verification at their next annual renewal in 2026.

Please visit the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS’) Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions site for common questions and answers about the reinstatement of the asset limit for Non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs.

If you are an EBT cardholder and receive a text, call or email asking for your card number, PIN or any personal information, do NOT provide it. There are reports of an EBT scam and attempts to steal benefits. Alameda County Social Service Agency (ACSSA) will never ask for this information through phone, text, or email. EBT cardholders should never provide personal information to unknown third parties. For any questions regarding your EBT card, please call (877) 328-9677 or click here for more information and click here to view the flyer. For information available in other languages click on the name of the languages listed: Spanish, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Traditional Chinese, Tagalog, and Pashto.

Remember to download the ebtEDGE mobile application on the App Store or Google Play Store to further protect your benefits!   

New EBT CHIP/TAP Cards will be issued to cardholders soon.  More information about this change is available here: English, Cambodian, Chinese, Farsi, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese.