Department of Human Services, Kern County Reviews

I have been calling for the past week and they just keep saying they re busy and hang up right away. Put people on a wait or something. Wth

Why do they have to be so mean on the phone. My sons information has been misused for his benefits but they get made at me for trying to report it. I hope they try to be more kind and know someone who is in a bad mental state can become triggered when they are talked to in a belittling and demeaning way.

One of the worst places and service I have ever had. Dealing with them is the last thing you want to do. They are awful.

This place is horrible, the workers never give you a call back they withheld my benefits from me even after I submitted the necessary paper work. The worker Ms.Alfaro never calls you back and goes straight to voicemail, till this day I haven't received anything and it's been a week. No worries going to the office administration.

Honestly the worse service ever. Waited on the phone for 30 minutes. Someone answered and then hung up on me. Still haven't been able to talk to anyone

My worker is worthless. How do i get in contact with the supervisor. My worker wont let me talk to the supervisor.

01/28/2020 10:00 am My complaint is toward a sorry excuse of a security guard you unfortunately have on your payroll. I didn't catch her name but she completely ignored my question and ignored the two females ready to fight a few steps away from the entrance all because she was WAY to busy on her 2 cellphones. Totally unprofessional. Heavy set hispanic female "security" guard. From when I walked in and walked out her gaze has not left her screen.

Deidre Albert my worker helped me and my son through the hardest time of our life. She listened to me while helping us with our case she sympathized and was very a attentive multi-tasker. Its not a fun process and there has been some bumps but we wouldn't be where we are now without the help we did nothing to deserve. We weren't judged and I felt like my worker was genuine and truly wanted to give us any helping hand she could think of. She was professional even when I was far from it and I can say she is a good person and we were lucky we crossed paths.

I've been calling all day but no one picks up my calls so they dont help you over the phone they want u to go all the way over there even if u dont have a car and have you in line for 2 hours when could pick up your call and help u over the phone in 2 minutes

I ve gotten two terrible case workers that never answered my calls, their supervisors never answered any of my calls; neither addressing or calling me back even after the floods of calls and voicemails. I sent in EVERYTHING both my cases workers asked of me just to have my case neglected and denied. This is my third attempt on medical and I ve received the same case worker as last time (good luck to me). I had an appointment over the phone and no call and no answer LIKE ALWAYS.

I really don t know what to do at this point, it s not that difficult to review what you ask for and just accept the person that s asking for help.

Turns out ive had foodstamps for the last month THANKS FOR THE CALL smh that's ur job to call people and notify them when they r approved now I have to wait till Monday..again THANKS

They should at least put what days they are closed especially today since its being Memorial day they are not open js

Unfortunately I don't think this is what a social service or government aid bulding is ment to put shame on these so called customer service reps ,The processing team should be replaced both showed entirely poor disregard and disrespect to your fellow men I emailed their processing team on Thursday .7 days later I called to check the status of my case the Audacity to be laughed at & told me to wait three days .... then give them a call SMH

Horrible place there is no way to get a hold of them by phone!

My mom works here. She works really hard to help everyone, but she tries to get to everyone but sometimes you just gotta be patient with them. They really do try to help you but just try to patient with them. You're not their only case they have to help with. They're trying their best.

do not waste your time because they will not help you, there they only help the lazy people, drug addicts or gang members

The staff were diligent and kind and helpful. I really appreciated the fast pace to get everyone helped and assisted with the people waiting around in the lobby area to get them where they needed to be. The office was very full but people were called rather quickly. Thank you to the supervisor who was very helpful and kind I appreciate your help during hard times!

Never can't get a hold of any workers on the phone, I'm always on hold that will last 30 minutes or longer.

a very poor service i called to get a desperate ride to my doctor - i had to cancel last month because my mother had a heart attack and can't drive , anyway they told my handicap not yet able to walk - they said just call 211 - i called and hold was forever and super hyper for any human on earth. i can't type anymore , this one eye and one finger is ard plus the numbness and pain mak it hard bye ...

Very helpfull with resources, monies and food for my grandbabies!

I believe this county service is well organized and the people there make an extra effort to be kind and respectful to clients. In general, I give it 4 STAR rating.

I recently became honeless due to landlord not wanting us to live there after grandma moved and had to get homeless assistance. When speaking with my worker she acted like I did this purposely which we didn't. I waited from 8:12 til about 4:?? Almost closing time. I had to go up to the middle window and let the woman know I haven't been called at all. They forgot about me because their systems were down and they checked me in from a notepad and had to do everything manually.

Excellent service, was fast!!! All the workers are very friendly and attentive. They help us in every process!!!

This welfare office in itself is not very good. The bathrooms are terrifying and you're gonna be asked about 15 times if you want a free phone (not worse than the bathroom I promise). The workers themselves are pretty amazing as long as you know what you're trying to do. There are plenty of people to guide you while in this huge, confusing welfare office. Its ALWAYS packed and you will wait quite a while to be seen so make an appointment first. All in all, the workers are good but the office is a little bit out of shape..

Aug, 13, 2020...

Wating line to entrer. You may not enter in building. Best way to talk on phone or online...

If you're looking for fast service show up at 8:00 - 10:00 otherwise you'll be there at least 2 hours. Some of the caseworkers can be condescending and judgmental but don't let it bother you. Be sure to bring any/all documents you think you may need such as: social security cards, California ID, insurance cards, immunization records, birth certificates, proof of income, proof of address, vehicle registration, proof of pregnancy. Bring a pen. You can also apply online for cash assistance, calfresh and medical it's fast and easy. Just apply and you'll receive a letter in the mail or email.

I understand this office has so many clients and people in need trying to apply for benefits. This does not give the Kern County Human Services employees to be rude. The times that I have called the social worker and the department they have been so rude. Please give a me freaking break, if you hate your job then go work somewhere else. No one is forcing you to work there, no one is putting a gun to your head and telling you, you are forced to work there and help people in need.

I have been trying to reach someone to speak with over the phone since I am out of state and it has been more than the 2 business days for a response back!! This place is a joke!

havnt gotten in to talk homeless and seems things turn on when convenient for medi cal insur issuers..wont even give card ..with benefits on..i dentity.fraud maybe...need to talk to Social security supposed have case worker.. havnt meet or informed of..confused being told no everywhere

VERY KIND. MY PROCESS WAS TAKING SO I WENT TO INFORM ME AND THAT SAME DAY IT WAS RESOLVED FOR ME

Extremely helpful that security knows way more than the actual staff. Plus thanks to Security I didn't have to wait in 3 different lines, they didnt give no run around and knew exactly what I needed!!!! As far as staff they are ok.

Anyone else having a hard time getting ahold of thier worker??I been trying to call mins for WEEKS already . The supervisor dont even ask thier phone . Smh they need BETTER WORKERS not lazy people.

Have been on hold for over 3 hours and have not spoken with a single person. Have been trying to get my case figured out since 8 am this morning. Worker will not contact me back and every number I've been transferred to or told to call has hung up on me or refuses to answer. Honestly this is ridiculous.

The Human Services Department is frustrating to try & navigate, especially at ones time of need! Be prepared to wait, just to be told that you need to bring more paperwork! Come back another day & wait some more! But, it is usually rewarding when you finally get it right!

Never can't get a hold of anyone on the phone, I am always on hold for 30 minutes or longer.

Worst place I ever been and the operators never answer I been on phone for over 30 min.and still no answer

Very busy place,come early lote of homeless people..so please be careful...lot of wait time...

I was amazed with the efficiency and friendly attitude of all the staff I met!!!Thank you for making me feel like a human again!!!!

So if u opt in for the voice system you can t use your pin anymore, instead you say a prompt and it recognizes your voice. Well when you lose your voice there is no option to put in your pin when it can t recognize you and case workers are completely unaware of that. They think you can choose either or any time you want. Also processing team three is the ultimate worst team, they will not call u for appointments unless u call them an hour ahead and wait for them. They cancelled my daughters medi-cal INSTEAD of the food stamps due to the pandemic. She injured her back which created a lot of problems when they couldn t verify her insurance. Kern is the worst of the worst and they have no care in the world to even
TRY to be better or even good enough.0 stars if I could.

Don't believe this place is clean because it's not....

This place needs overhaul,crappy service,noone even wanna help u

This is ridiculous. Ive been here for 3 hrs and my number is Q1012 and they are barly on Q509 this is pissing me off. And all i need was a ID verification this is beyond annoying and the workers here are lazy and likes to give u the run around...

Prepare to wait... Come early if you want to get in and out would probably be your best bet

Social workers are rude.. ughh, but karma exists. Someday they ll be in need and get denied too.

if you have are having a bad day don't worry too much ..and most importantly don't be disrespectful even if they're disrespectful just nod, say thanks and remain calm

There is so complex difficulty talking with case worker toward calfresh, food stamp, and EBT. Not only food stamp, etc. There is other reasons case workers done for Bakersfield California residents. Customer service is overall good. Waiting in waiting room and waiting for case workers to show up took so long time. Not bad.

Well where do I start. Alot of the workers are awesome and I appreciate there hard work and dedication to the needs of us the people but the calworks program is the best except when you can't get a hold of your calworks worker. Because things come up and sometimes can't make it to work shops and they don't give enough in gas help to get you to all the work stuff they expect you to comply with. So yea that part is very stressful. I would like to see a lil more improvement in that area.

UPDATE

Judith Gonzales messed our whole case up. First she had my household claim unearned income in which lowered our benefits (unbeknownst to us). She had us get on calworks but had me sign a child support payment against my fiance (we are still together with two beautiful children, and all of us were present at the office.) She claimed this is the only way. We come to find out by the employees at the child support payment center that what she did was illegal and there was no need to sign that paper since my fiance and I are still together and Judith full well knew this. So this caused a fiasco with the courts. Then we come to learn our medi-cal was taken away because we are on calworks. I suffer from a severe muscle disease that requires me to take a pill every 3-4 hours to stay alive and now because Judith pulled something to withdraw our insurance, I may be facing death. She has from the beginning jeoparized our case and has told us lies to our face. Every week something pops up and when she has called, has blamed me. She needs to be reprimanded and re-trained. She has even admitted multiple times to us that she does not know how to do a lot of things that even a rookie dhs casework would know. We found out all these complications 3 days ago.

Previous Review:

The wait is not long, however our worker does not seem to care for us. She actually had said to my husband and I, "I need to get you out of here so I can go to lunch." Not even being a minute in her office she had said this. Her mentor, Stephanie is the best though. I wish she was our case worker because I can tell she cared about our situation. Our case worker was even a little rude when she called me to tell me over 10x (not exaggerating, she actually did) that my husband and I need to submit these documents (out of nowhere) and email her them in order to get the cash aid by Thursday. I felt like she was trying to blame me for something. I have been recovering from my rare muscle disease flare up and been so very ill. Thursday came and nothing. She is not even in her office! She is only giving us the roundabout and it is nerve wrecking.

Always go in person, never call they won't ever answer

Takes an entire day to speak to someone. Then the worker never returns your phone call. Very poor customer service!!!!!

Honestly this facility is horrible more than half of their employees do not have the patience to deal with people in general. Which is flat out pathetic because they should have good people skills considering the fact that their job is to deal with people. They all tend to give different information you'll get extremely lucky if you get a representative that can actually help you out with your issue. I only give them one star since it wouldn't allow me to give them 0 !

The flow of service is very fast here, and it has very helpful staff (minus the Security Guards that just sit there and, don't do anything).

If I could give zero stars, I would. I have been given different workers and have been given nothing, but stress on top of stress!!! I was wrongly awarded food stamps because when I quit my job in November, 2016 and TOLD my case worker that, she decided it was a good idea to put in a note that I will be getting a job or a work study!!! I NEVER SAID THAT!!! For some reason I kept getting food stamps, and they wanted me to pay it back!! Then after I sent my letter to them that I would make a f***ing payment plan, they send me another letter that they never got it!!!! I am screwed because of the disorganization and incompetence of these case workers! I will NEVER apply for any government assistance EVER AGAIN thanks to the stress these people have put me through. I would rather die or starve to death than get any government assistance thanks to these people! I have never been so annoyed and frustrated with an entirety of employees in my life!!! I, SERIOUSLY, CANNOT HANDLE THIS STRESS ANYMORE!!!! I WOULD RATHER EAT A BOWL OF NAILS THAN GET ASSISTANCE FROM ANYONE HERE!!!

I wish I could give zero stars. Worst service ever by the employees.

I had a phone interview on April 29,2020 and the Processing Team Three never called me. I'm not to happy and I better not get cut off my. Cal-Fresh. I will be contacting there office first thing in the morning.

they have this processing team number i like how they are strict with their rules and turn in dates but yet they dont even answer our calls especially when its your kids medical and error on their part, this system of the government is a joke.

they annoy me but they have a lot of clients so I can't blame them if they are slow.

Honestly, this place gets mixed reviews, sort of like the DMV. But so far, I ve just recently acquired some benefits on May2019. I haven t had any issues with my caseworker. Just meet your appts, write down any questions you have because they DO have other cases (God knows how many) and be very organized with documents and paperwork.. that will just make your job and caseworkers job a lot easier.

ZERO!!! This Place SUCKS all day, everyday!!! ladies at windows 5 and 6 are extremely rude. keep your curtain down if you don't want anyone bothering you or don't bite their head off when they're actually in need of assistance.

Bad service has many hours and they are rude as if they were going to put what they are going to ask from their bag and Aceves are racist with the Hispanics

Kern county is the worst place u can have any type of case .I had a child in danger. I reported they horrible people send a letter to the person and told them ur doing this.what type of investigation is that..there review is the worst in america..city of STD..CRACK.HEADS.WASTE OF MY TAX MONEY TO SUPPORT THESE COUNTY..IT TIME FOR A LAW SUIT..

Dirty Place. Rude employees. People smoke everywhere, no one enforces the rules. Badly organized.

Some employees are rude and believe the owners of the programs and more those who speak Spanish ... they are rude ... I as I could understand with a brunette and it was the best but the Hispanics attending Hispanics of the worst .. They would have to supervise their attitudes with us that there has been no English lamps at the end that their bosses do not speak Spanish to that they are willing to stay but they are ugly and I gave a star only for the ugly treatment of Hispanics to Hispanics thanks and tin and future mind can Give them 5 stars. I would like it with my heart for better service to our Hispanic people.

It is good for me just to observe the fact, that haven't had to close their doors! California is a State that has to be, always a "step ahead!"

3 mile long lines, stereotypical welfare people jamming up the place along with a lot of vagrants.

Waiting over 30 minutes with no clue how much longer just to print a passport to services. Instead of a line you have to now check in blindly on a kiosk and you have no idea how long you have to wait and no one is competent enough to give you an estimated waiting time. It s ridiculous and it stinks literally.

I wish I could give most of them 0 stars there very slow very unprofessional have very bad attitudes I would be gladly to add that a particular worker by the name of Beatrice shes skinny has jet black hair in section G shes the most inconsiderate unprofessional rudest snobbiest person I've ever met and such a lazy lousy worker.

If you only have to turn in paperwork this applies and I was shocked that I was in & out of there withen 5 minutes I walked in & started to go to the big line for 26,27,etc. but then I saw up off to the right a sign that says upload documents only & they got 2 kiosk machines off to the side in the back by the waiting area & there was no line at all I just walked up scanned the paper I needed to turn in and I was done

The attitude at very front window customer service is objactoionable. Treating people like nothing. Some are nice as well. But if you have heavy accent like me watch who you refere to!!

Poor service ,rude people,dirty place ,no organise,to much wating time ,personal not training,worse place ever
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I had to have a REFERAL for change of address because of health reasons. Anyway they help me in a timly manner and offeed other benifets CalFresh and warm clothing for the winter. Thank you Human services