Human Services

San Bernardino County Human Services brings together county programs that support residents with food, medical coverage, financial assistance, behavioral health needs, child and family services, aging and disability services, child support, preschool programs, veterans benefits, and other basic needs. This article explains how the Human Services system is organized, which department handles different types of assistance, how residents can use county service channels, what information may be useful when contacting an agency, and how to avoid being routed to the wrong program.

Human Services Department Structure

San Bernardino County Human Services serves as the central starting point for a broad network of county departments. Human Services describes its mission as building a healthy community by strengthening individuals and families, enhancing quality of life, and valuing people. The departments under the Human Services umbrella address different needs rather than operating as a single benefits office.

This distinction matters when seeking assistance. A resident looking for CalFresh or Medi-Cal case information, for example, should use the Transitional Assistance Department rather than contacting Public Health. Someone concerned about abuse of an older adult should use Aging and Adult Services, while a parent dealing with establishment or enforcement of child support should contact Child Support Services.

The Human Services website organizes assistance around common situations, including homelessness, food needs, job assistance, medical care, behavioral health concerns, substance use, reentry after jail, support for older adults, veterans assistance, and personal safety. Residents who do not know which department handles their situation can begin with the Human Services site and then move to the department responsible for that service.

Food, Cash, and Medical Assistance

The Transitional Assistance Department administers support programs for people who need financial, nutritional, or medical assistance. Its online services include applying for benefits, checking possible eligibility, reviewing an existing case, checking an EBT balance, and paying an overissuance or overpayment.

Residents looking for CalWORKs, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal-related assistance should generally begin with the Transitional Assistance Department. The department also provides access to online case information for current customers.

Existing Benefits Cases

Current Transitional Assistance Department customers can obtain case information through the department's Interactive Voice Response system. The automated system provides information such as benefit amounts, worker information, office location, and the ability to request forms by mail.

People contacting the department about an existing case should be prepared to identify the case accurately. The department specifically asks people submitting online comments to include their full name, case number, and phone number so staff can better serve them. Case details are not discussed through the online comment channel, so residents should not assume that a general website message can be used to resolve private case-specific matters.

BenefitsCal Account Assistance

The Transitional Assistance Department provides web chat for general questions and technical help with BenefitsCal accounts. Web chat hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Residents should distinguish between technical account help and questions requiring review of an individual benefits case. An account-access problem may be appropriate for web chat, while detailed case matters may require one of the department's case-service channels.

Aging and Disability Services

The Department of Aging and Adult Services – Public Guardian serves older adults, adults with disabilities, families, and caregivers. Its programs focus on independence, safety, support, and quality of life.

The department includes Adult Protective Services, In-Home Supportive Services, aging programs, nutrition services, the Office of the Public Guardian, Senior Information and Assistance, and other specialized programs.

Adult Protective Services

Adult Protective Services helps protect adults age 60 and older and adults ages 18 through 59 with a disability who may be experiencing abuse or neglect. APS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. Suspected abuse or neglect can be reported through the county's elder and dependent adult abuse hotline at 877-565-2020.

This service should not be confused with Children and Family Services, which addresses child safety. Using the correct abuse-reporting system helps route concerns to the agency with jurisdiction over the person involved.

Senior Information and Assistance

Senior Information and Assistance helps adults age 55 and older locate programs and community resources and can also assist with applying for programs. The service is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding legal holidays, at 800-510-2020.

Residents who are unsure which aging program fits their needs may find this service useful as an entry point. The department's listed aging programs include the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, Family Caregiver Support Program, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Multipurpose Senior Services Program, and Senior Community Service Employment Program.

In-Home Supportive Services

In-Home Supportive Services is intended to help eligible people remain safely in their homes by supporting tasks they cannot perform independently. The county states that a person may be eligible for IHSS if the person is age 65 or older, disabled, or blind; disabled children may also be eligible.

The IHSS Public Authority supports the program by connecting qualified recipients with care providers. Its Registry recruits and screens caregivers, maintains a database of available providers, assists clients with interviews, and refers Registry caregivers to IHSS consumers.

The Public Authority also provides information for people interested in becoming IHSS providers, offers training resources, and operates a Back-Up Provider System for eligible IHSS consumers who have an urgent need for personal care services and do not have an available provider.

Behavioral Health and Crisis Care

The Department of Behavioral Health provides mental health and substance use disorder services for children, adults, families, and communities. Services listed by the department include urgent behavioral health care, substance use disorder treatment, outpatient clinics, prevention and early intervention programs, case management, medication support, assessment and referral, and other specialized behavioral health services.

Crisis Services

Community-based mobile crisis response teams are available for children and adults experiencing psychiatric emergencies. Services are available in English and Spanish 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Community Crisis Response Team can be reached by calling 800-398-0018 or texting 909-420-0560.

For behavioral health screening and access, the department lists its Behavioral Health Helpline at 888-743-1478. For substance use disorder screening, assessment, and referral, the department provides the Substance Use Disorder Helpline at 800-968-2636.

Residents should use the service that matches the situation. A psychiatric emergency requiring immediate crisis response is different from a routine outpatient treatment inquiry or a substance use disorder referral. In a life-threatening emergency, the Human Services site directs residents to call 911.

Behavioral Health Costs

The Department of Behavioral Health states that no client or potential client will be denied access to services because of an inability to pay. The department uses a Uniform Method of Determining Ability to Pay, described as a sliding scale of liabilities based on family size, income, assets, and the cost of behavioral health services provided.

This payment policy applies to behavioral health services described by the department and should not be assumed to apply to unrelated Human Services programs.

Child Support Services

The Department of Child Support Services determines parentage, establishes and enforces child support orders, and works to secure payments that help meet children's financial and medical needs.

The department's website provides information about the child support process, forms, payment resources, parent resources, employer services, missed payments, and military-specific services. Available forms identified by the department include the Income and Expense Declaration and the Order/Notice to Withhold Income for Child Support.

Opening and Managing Cases

Residents looking to open a child support case should use the Child Support Services process rather than treating the matter as a general Human Services benefits application. Child support cases involve different systems, court documents, payment processing, and enforcement procedures from CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, or other public assistance programs.

The department also provides resources for calculating support and processing payments. Parents who have missed payments are advised that missed payments increase the amount owed, and the department provides access to an arrears calculator for estimating the past-due balance.

Family Law Assistance

The Child Support Services website also identifies Family Law Facilitator assistance for family law, child support, landlord and tenant matters, and related court paperwork. Services include free review of court paperwork and may be available in person, by phone, online, and by email.

Children and Family Safety

Children and Family Services focuses on protecting endangered children, preserving and strengthening families, and developing alternative family settings when needed. Its county website provides information about reporting child abuse, adoption, becoming a foster parent, prevention information, concerns involving the department, and volunteer opportunities.

For suspected child abuse or neglect, the Human Services website lists the child abuse and neglect hotline at 800-827-8724. This number is separate from the Adult Protective Services hotline used for older adults and dependent adults.

Children's Network Role

The Children's Network operates as the Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Bernardino County. It works with county and community partners on coordination, education, awareness, programs, training, and campaigns intended to reduce child abuse and neglect.

The Network is distinct from Children and Family Services. Children and Family Services handles child welfare responsibilities described by the county, while the Children's Network emphasizes collaboration, prevention, education, and coordination among child-serving agencies.

Preschool and Head Start Programs

The Preschool Services Department provides Head Start and related early childhood programming. The department states that children who attend Head Start receive comprehensive child development services.

Its website includes enrollment information, an interest form, preschool and program locations, disabilities and special-needs information, center-based and home-based programs, school-readiness materials, family resources, and volunteer opportunities.

Parents should use the Preschool Services enrollment process for Head Start, Early Head Start, and related preschool programs rather than applying through a general Human Services page. Program calendars, enrollment materials, and locations are maintained by Preschool Services.

Public Health Programs

The Department of Public Health works to promote and protect health, wellness, safety, and quality of life throughout San Bernardino County. Its responsibilities include preventing disease outbreaks, protecting residents from environmental hazards, preventing injuries, promoting healthy behaviors, responding to disasters, assisting with community recovery, and supporting access to health services.

Services and information available through the department include health clinics, immunizations, birth and death certificates, restaurant grades, emergency preparedness, animal-related services, public health data, and disease information.

Public Health should not be confused with Medi-Cal eligibility administration. Medi-Cal assistance is listed through the Transitional Assistance Department, while Public Health operates health programs and public health services.

Veterans Benefits and Services

San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs assists veterans in obtaining benefits they have earned through military service. Benefits and services identified by the county include disability benefits, pension, health care, college fee waivers, military records requests, disabled veteran park entrance passes, California veterans license plates, and veteran identification cards.

The department states that almost all of its services can be conducted by telephone, including filing a disability claim. Veterans should use Veterans Affairs for veterans benefit assistance rather than assuming a general Human Services benefits worker handles Department of Veterans Affairs-related claims.

For veterans in crisis, the county site directs users to the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.

Homelessness and Housing Coordination

Human Services identifies homelessness as one of the situations residents may need help addressing. The San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership coordinates countywide efforts involving homelessness and housing instability through a network that includes government agencies and other participating organizations.

The partnership's work includes the Continuum of Care, regional coordination, Point-in-Time Counts, homeless services planning, and the Coordinated Entry System. Residents seeking homeless assistance or help with basic needs are directed by the county to dial 211. The county states that the 2-1-1 Coordinated Entry System is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and connects callers with a live bilingual homeless-assistance specialist who can assess needs and help identify appropriate interventions.

Choosing the Correct Office

Many Human Services programs address related problems, but they are administered separately. Selecting the department by the specific service needed can reduce unnecessary transfers and confusion.

Cash assistance, CalFresh, Medi-Cal eligibility, EBT information, and existing public benefits cases are handled through the Transitional Assistance Department.

Services for older adults, dependent adults, caregivers, Adult Protective Services, and IHSS begin with Aging and Adult Services or the IHSS program.

Mental health, psychiatric crisis, and substance use disorder services are handled by Behavioral Health.

Parentage, child support orders, enforcement, and support payment matters belong with Child Support Services.

Child abuse reporting, foster care, adoption, and child welfare matters are associated with Children and Family Services.

Head Start and county preschool enrollment are administered by Preschool Services.

County health clinics, immunizations, disease prevention, environmental health, and other public health programs belong with Public Health.

Veterans benefit claims and veteran-specific services are handled by Veterans Affairs.

Homeless assistance and Coordinated Entry begin through the county's homeless services system.

Information to Prepare Before Contact

The specific information required varies by program, and residents should follow the instructions of the department handling their case. When contacting an agency about an existing matter, identifying information connected with that matter can help staff locate the correct record.

The clearest example in the county material is the Transitional Assistance Department, which asks people submitting online comments to provide their full name, case number, and phone number. Residents should make sure they use the case number associated with the correct department rather than assuming one county case number works across all Human Services agencies.

Child support matters, public assistance cases, behavioral health records, IHSS matters, and veterans claims involve different agencies and processes. Information used by one program should not automatically be treated as an identifier for another.

Common Service Mistakes

Mixing Public Health and Medi-Cal

Public Health provides health services and public health programs, while the Transitional Assistance Department handles Medi-Cal assistance identified through Human Services. Contacting Public Health about an eligibility case may send a resident to the wrong department.

Using the Wrong Abuse Hotline

San Bernardino County maintains separate reporting pathways for child abuse and for abuse or neglect of older or dependent adults. The child abuse and neglect hotline is 800-827-8724. Adult Protective Services uses 877-565-2020 for concerns involving adults covered by that program.

Sending Case Details Online

The Transitional Assistance Department states that case information and case specifics will not be discussed through its online comment process. Residents should not depend on a general feedback form for private case resolution.

Confusing IHSS Program Roles

IHSS provides in-home support intended to help eligible people remain safely at home. The Public Authority assists with functions such as provider recruitment, the caregiver Registry, client-provider matching, training resources, and backup provider services. A question about hiring or locating an IHSS care provider may therefore involve the Public Authority, while other IHSS eligibility or service matters fall within the broader IHSS structure.

Assuming All Services Share Rules

Human Services is an umbrella for multiple departments, but eligibility requirements, documentation, case systems, payment procedures, and service channels differ among programs. A rule stated for Behavioral Health, IHSS, Transitional Assistance, child support, or another department should not be applied to a different program unless that department states the same rule.

Human Services Offices

Human Services Administration

150 S. Lena Rd.
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0515

Department of Child Support Services

10417 Mountain View Ave.
Loma Linda, CA 92354
866-901-3212

Children's Network

825 E. Hospitality Ln., 2nd Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415
909-383-9677

Preschool Services

8163 Rochester Ave.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
1-888-543-7025

Department of Public Health

451 E. Vanderbilt Way
San Bernardino, CA 92408
800-782-4264

Veterans Affairs

222 W. Hospitality Ln., 3rd Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0470
909-382-3290

IHSS Public Authority

784 E. Hospitality Lane
San Bernardino, CA 92415
866-985-6322

Office of Homeless Services

560 E. Hospitality Lane, Suite 200
San Bernardino, CA 92408-0044
909-501-0610

Human Services FAQs

Can a nonprofit receive surplus property from Human Services?

Qualified nonprofit organizations that provide social services to San Bernardino County residents may apply for the Human Services Community Based Organization Surplus Property Program. Approved organizations can receive available items such as desks, file cabinets, bookcases, computers, printers, and tables at no cost. To qualify, an organization must provide services at a facility within San Bernardino County and maintain federal and California tax-exempt status. The county surplus property program requires a new application for each program year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Applications are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and may close when program limits are reached.

What documents does a nonprofit need for the surplus property program?

The county requires a completed program application, the organization's IRS tax-exemption letter, its California Franchise Tax Board exemption letter, Articles of Incorporation, and material showing the services it provides to San Bernardino County residents. Organizations should also keep their existing CBO account identification card after the program year ends because qualified participants retain the same account number. Property obtained through the program cannot be removed from San Bernardino County or sold for profit.

Can I get urgent behavioral health care without an appointment?

Yes. The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health states that people experiencing a behavioral health crisis may call or walk into an urgent care center without making an appointment. This can be useful when someone needs prompt professional support but does not necessarily require emergency medical intervention. Available behavioral health services can include assessment and referral, crisis intervention, therapy, medication support, and case management depending on the person's needs.

Are special child support options available for military service members?

Yes. San Bernardino County Child Support Services identifies several military-specific options, including stays of proceedings, stays of enforcement of a judgment, expedited modification of support, interest reduction, and the Military Compromise of Arrears Program. Service members dealing with deployment, changes in income, or enforcement issues can review the county child support process and military services to determine which procedure may apply to their case.