Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Office - Pleasant Hill, California

Wendi Q.

TERRIBLE TERRLE EXPERIENCE WITH THIS DEPARTMENT. Wait time on the phone minimum 2 hours and it is taking two full days for trying to cancel the medi-cal correctly and it is still not done correctly. TOTALLY FEELING HELPLESS. I have to call them again for a third day in a row and I’m feeling super upset to know that I potentially will be hold for hours again. It’s despairing. All these super long waiting time over the phone is seriously affecting my life. It is unbelievable how difficult it is to get something resolved with this part of the government.

Jason P.

I utterly HATE HATE HATE dealing with this office.

The first issue dates to 2017 when I was on Medi-Cal and had to report a change of income since I had a temporary job for a few months and was wondering if I would still qualify. The worker I spoke to said I would not but then I informed her it was a temp job only and this was in early November. It turned out that, even with this job, I would still be able to receive Medi-Cal coverage due to my income. This is a basic inquiry and yet the worker fumbled it. She then assigned me to a caseworker. I call the caseworker and ask questions, then request for her first name. She said, per policy, she could not disclose it. However, I was sending her documents which are protected by HIPAA and are therefore confidential so I wanted to get it to the right person. I learned from a friend who works in this office that workers are assigned an identifying number. She could have provided me such but did not. When I call the main office in Martinez to complain, I get more red tape and stumbling blocks. I jokingly asked, "Is this a CIA operation?" and the person said, "Yes it is". Totally unprofessional (luckily the Ombudsman agreed when I spoke with her via phone)

Then we get to today. I just purchased a Kaiser plan off Covered CA so I need to terminate my Medi-Cal benefits (I had to go on Medi-Cal again). Through their automated service, I provided two identifying pieces of information they requested: my social security number and driver's license. In both instances, they said "We could not locate anyone". They then asked for an ID and password. I entered incorrect information just to see if I could get anywhere. FINALLY did I get the option to speak to a representative. Funny enough, I gave her my SSN and she pulled up my information.

Wait times are also ridiculously long and should not be.

I hope I do not have to deal with this office ever again. The only saving grave is the Ombudsman.

Jordan C.

I must be blessed because my experience was way different than most of these posts.
Very polite, very fast and efficient, very clean. No issues at all.
Edit. Spoke too soon. Had my phone appointment ignored today.

Andrea E.

You would be hard pressed to find a group of dumber and lazier people work in one place on the planet. No wonder why people want government programs cut. So many people collecting paycheck to do nothing and see it in real life for hours and days to get simple documents through.

Julia F.

They are quite friendly with short waits and efficient service. Caring employees that really do their best to attend to the needs of the clientele. They never make me feel bad about my situation.
Thank You Employment and Human Services.

Jason S.

One of the most important things for this type of a government agency was present at this office: empathy. And that's due to a woman named Sandy. I wasn't sure if the reviews were true, as after I took a number, I sat and heard a woman say she had been there for almost two hours. I then was pretty concerned that my 3-minute question (attempting to verify information on a state website in a county offce) would never be heard. Enter Sandy. I heard her asking people in the waiting room if anyone had any questions. I listened to the way she answered someone and decided that I'd try my luck and see if she could answer me. She was so knowledgeable and compassionate and at a moment where it was ever-so-urgent - much more than I had ever expected. Thank you, Sandy. It is so rare to find someone that performs their job with empathy and rarer still to experience this at a waiting room that resembles a DMV.

Lorelei F.

Jocelyn at the front desk was really helpful and providing resources for affordable housing. She also shared some tips for acquiring a room for rent in a respectable house, and on the contrary shared some cautionary resources to avoid.

Wayne C. (.

This is a well oiled machine. The greeter is cheerful and helpful. The workers are given the daunting task of satisfying marginalized people at a low point in their lives. The services are given with respect. Yes, it is a bureaucracy. Yes, it is frustrating. Be prepared to make a few visits to resolve your need. Be sure to eat and smoke before arriving. There is no place to smoke for 1/2 a mile, and the policy is strictly enforced. Do not be late for your appointment, or you will have to start from scratch.