Marin County's Benefits Desk Has New Hours, Phone Number

MARIN COUNTY, CA – The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services' Public Assistance branch has a new phone number, extended reception hours and a revamped West Marin office.

The new call center number is 877-410-8817. The previous number, 415-473-3400, will be phased out in the next few months, according to the county,

There are extended reception hours at the department's two San Rafael offices at 120 North Redwood Drive and 3240 Kerner Boulevard. Eligibility workers will now be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Some important changes are geared at reducing wait time for people trying to reach the call center via phone. More workers will be available by phone to answer questions about food assistance or temporary cash aid.

Services at the Novato location are adjusted as well. Although eligibility workers can no longer take drop-in appointments or in-person interviews, the following services are available at 75 Rowland Way:

• Picking up Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards
• Requesting EBT pin
• Getting a temporary Medi-Cal card
• Reprinting forms
• Turning in applications
• Document drop-off and pickup

The West Marin Service Center in Point Reyes Station has reopened following a building renovation. Eligibility workers are available to assist clients on Tuesdays.

Public Assistance provides help with the following programs:

• California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), a cash assistance program that helps families with children who are
• deprived of parental support because of unemployment, absence, disability, or death of a parent.
• Medi-Cal, public health insurance for low-income individuals who are disabled, over age 65, under 21, or parents of children deprived of certain types of support.
• The County Medical Services Program (CMSP), which provides medical and dental care to non-Medi-Cal individuals ages 21-64.
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), sometimes called Cal Fresh, which provides financial assistance for food purchases.
• General Relief, a County of Marin-funded self-sufficiency program that provides temporary cash aid to eligible Marin adults with no dependent children living with them.

Call the new Public Assistance number at 877-410-8817 with any questions about Marin's Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more online at www.marinhhs.org/public-assistance.

Photo: The newly renovated West Marin Service Center. Photo via County of Marin