Redding – The Shasta County Office of Eligibility and Employment Training Services, located at 1400 California Street, will close its doors permanently on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The office has long served residents seeking to determine eligibility for state‑mandated assistance programs that help low‑income families and individuals.
Programs Affected
The closure impacts in‑person assistance for three major programs: CalFresh, which provides monthly grocery benefits; CalWORKS, which offers job‑training and financial aid to families with children; and Medi‑Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. These services are administered by the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), which announced the move in a press release today.
Reason for Closure
HHSA says the shutdown is part of a planned relocation effort. However, the agency has not yet disclosed when a new office offering the same designated services will open, nor the future location of those services. This marks the third HHSA site serving economic‑mobility clients to close in recent years, a trend the agency confirmed.
How to Get Help Now
Even after the California Street office closes, residents can still receive eligibility assistance. The dedicated phone line for the office will be disconnected after Wednesday, but callers can reach HHSA’s Customer Service Center at 877‑652‑0731. Online applications and information remain available at BenefitsCal.com.
Other HHSA Locations Remain Open
HHSA emphasized that eligibility services will continue at its other agency offices Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The agency provided a list of those sites in the release, ensuring that residents have multiple options for in‑person assistance while the relocation is underway.
Community Impact
Local advocates note that the closure could create short‑term inconvenience for vulnerable families who rely on face‑to‑face guidance to navigate complex application processes. The agency’s decision to maintain phone and online support aims to mitigate disruption, but community leaders are urging HHSA to announce a replacement location promptly.
Looking Ahead
Shasta County officials have not detailed a timeline for the new office. Residents are encouraged to monitor HHSA communications for updates and to use the existing phone and web portals for any eligibility questions.
For corrections or additional information, readers may contact the Shasta Scout editor at [email protected].
Original reporting: Shasta Scout (Redding) — read the source article.
