It's nearly impossible to get in touch with your caseworker by phone, so calling feels like a waste…read moreof time. If you decide to go in person, make sure to arrive early or be prepared for a long wait. Some of the staff speak in a condescending tone, which is disappointing coming from professionals in social services. On one occasion, I was questioned about why I hadn't come in earlier to follow up on my benefits. I explained that the online portal showed my paperwork had been received and was pending review, so I was simply following the instructions and being patient. Instead of acknowledging that, the worker responded dismissively -- as if my explanation wasn't valid. Later, I found out my paperwork had actually been overlooked and left pending for months, meaning the portal was inaccurate. Rather than taking accountability, I was reprimanded for not contacting them sooner. It's frustrating to be blamed for their oversight, especially when you're doing your part and following the system as instructed.

This beautiful building is colorful on the outside and painted with local expression, and I am sure…read moreit's the last place people want to be. But I can't imagine what our communities would look like if we did not have safety nets for those who fall in between the cracks. This location offers a number of services: CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief, Children's Services, Workforce Investment Board, and State Appeals. They're here to help! Here is their list of info and contacts!! To inquire about benefits: To check your current benefits status or EBT balance, visit MyBenefitsCalWIN, or call our 24-hour automated information line at 1-866-404-4007. To apply for benefits, visit MyBenefitsCalWin, or call or visit us at the office nearest you. (Online application is not available for General Relief or In-Home Supportive Services.) To report abuse: To report child abuse or neglect: Call Child Welfare Services toll-free: (800) 367-0166. Mandated Reporters: follow up with form SS 8572. To report elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect: Call Adult Protective Services toll-free: (844) 751-6729 (Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm). Mandated Reporters: ask for our fax number or mailing address while on the call, and follow up by faxing or mailing us your completed form SOC 341 (in English or Spanish). After business hours or on holidays, call Sheriff's Dispatch: (805) 692-5744. Mandated Reporters: follow up with form SOC 341. Or, report online 24/7 at ReportToAPS (non-emergency only). Mandated Reporters: SOC 341 not required when reporting online. For abuse in skilled nursing/residential care facilities, call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman: (805) 922-1236. If anyone is in immediate danger of harm, call 911.

I have been living here in SLO working for the CCC going on my fourth month now and ever since I…read morehave joined there's been nothing but harassment & federal laws of the national guard being broken left and right. If you want to be harassed, judged, sized up, made fun of, living in a horrible living condition for 400$ with no AC, dirty showers and bathrooms the CCC is your place to go. I have autism and the CCC promise me this was a safe place but it's NOT I have been constantly harassed by not only crew members but also staff now to the point my wife and I our trying to figure out how to move me out of the CCC how BAD it has become. Half the people here in the CCC slo center don't even care or want to be here anymore. This is absolutely horrible and the CCC should be ASHAMED of what they have become and the conditions they have crew member living in. Oh and I had a small heart attack and the center director Mike Anderson told me that someone would always have the security phone 24/7 and the day I had my heart attack I had called 16 times and my wife had contact them since I was responding after awhile. All they did after an hour went by of me being on the ground was put me in a state truck and drive me to the ER where I waited!!! When they should of called 911 since I do have a medical condition. I could go on and on about why NOT to join the CCC. ADVIOD THE CCC SLO CENTER BE WARNED!!!!!!!!

The Santa Maria Post Office on East Battles Road can be a battleground as they provide one of the…read moremost universally needed services in the world. They always work hard to help people and get out our mail as fast and accurate as possible. They help every person and are super helpful and kind to those in need while maintaining a very professional and reasonable demeanor while working very hard in one of the most high stress environments. I have worked a lot with Ellinore, Andrew and Gabe at the front service desk and they have always been willing to help to resolve any issues I have had. This post office is exceptionally helpful and able to deliver packages and mail together in a very reasonable amount of time at a very good cost. Thank you guys for all the hard work and expertise! You have helped a lot of people!

This Post Office is HORRIBLE! Numerous complaints have been voiced and filed in person, for not…read morereceiving mail as well as it not being placed in the proper receptacle. It seems that no matter who you talk to, answers are hard to come by. You get pawned off on other employees, told everything is fine, get referred to a phone number that is only automated and leads no where, and even get your grievance summarily dismissed with NO REASON given, via email. Drive the extra miles to go somewhere else.

Santa Maria Police Department does a great job! The Police Officers are some of the very best and…read moremake sure to keep our community safe one day at a time. The Phone Staff and Volunteer Department are super friendly and welcoming to anyone with a good standard. Thank you again for your service. Sebastian Falcon

The 911 dispatch/police are completely worthless. somebody tries to cause an accident and run you…read moreoff the road.. sorry no officers at the moment. so that idiot gets to get be an irrational driver without consequences, get real. this town is ridiculous. apparently they want you to handle it yourself, and bet, next time i will

The horror stories are abundant when you hear about trips to the DMV. But this one is different. I…read moremade an online appointment and was able to check in by phone 10 minutes before my scheduled time. I was given a number that doesn't appear on the countdown board and the next window open at my appointment time. It was so smooth, and the lady helping me was great. She was confused at the document I brought in from the California DMV but figured it out and I was able to walk out with new Registration tags in hand. If you're really lucky, you'll get assistance from Val when you walk in. Extremely helpful with a positive attitude and a smile. Super knowledgeable!

Out of all the DMVs I have been to, this is my favorite one so far. Appointments are easy to make,…read moresometime you can get appointment the day before. Even if you don't have an appointment, the line doesn't take a lifetime unlike some big locations. I have been here more than I wanted to, but it's mostly on me. This is just for applying for CA driver license for the first time and registering out of state car. Let's go with the easier one first, registering out of state cars. The biggest surprise and difference I have encountered here compares to TX is there's no paid vehicle inspection required prior to come here. You just bring your car, get in line (under the cover in front of the entrance door), wait for a DMV inspector to come out and inspect your car. If you're nice and have everything ready to go, it can take just 5-10mins. Once the inspection is done, you take the form that's signed by the inspector, along with your application inside (if you have an appointment) or get in line outside if you don't have an appointment. Make sure you have your current car registration from whichever state you're from. Then just paid the fee and on your way with your new license plate. However, compares to TX, I believe it's hundreds of dollars more depends on how old your car is, versus just about $70. So if that's really true, we'll probably just take a road trip back to TX border and renew our registration this year lol. Moving on to driver license. If you just need a CA driver license as a first timer from out of state, without anything extra like changing your name, then it's pretty painless. You need to go on the CA DMV official website, create an account, sign up for the written test, choose to take the test either in person or proctor. Once you've passed the test, make sure your current driver license is still valid, have 2 forms of proof of residency, take the vision test at the DMV, have your picture taken, and that should be it. I kept reading "horror" stories about how difficult CA driver license written test is, but it took me less than 15mins to complete and pass the 1st try. Just make sure you scan over the driving book to know some of the material first. Now, if you need to change your name like me, don't show up with expired driver license and expired passport, cuz none of that would fly. In order to change your name on the driver license, you need to have a valid passport with your new name first, THEN, your social security ALSO has to have your new name on it before the CA DMV would approve your new CA driver license. Well, live and learn right? Overall, going from having to wait weeks or months for an appointment in TX, to being able to be seen the same day with barely any wait, I really can't complain much!

I should add that I wasn't even allowed to see the video in open court. The judge left the room to…read moreview privately. All dressed alike and wearing helmets, who knows who actually rolled 4 feet past the limit line before stopping? Point is... forget about justice dealing with petty tyrants.

This courthouse sucks. Everyone is so rude. I've called twice and was told to call back on a…read moredifferent date so I did... Come to find out they stopped taking court dates a few days before I called. (what a coincidence!) Traffic lady is VERY rude!!!!!

CAL Fire - Santa Maria Public Airport is an an outpost for the California Department of Forestry…read moreand Fire Protection aviation units that help fight forest fires. This base was first established in 2007 and helps protect the Central Coast of California in addition its units can be called as far away as Central Coast but also as far away as Arizona, Utah and Colorado.It recently was upgraded to handle large tanker aircraft like the DC-10. Given the year round fire danger it is one of the busiest bases for CAL Fire has. While there is no tour of the base the S2 Trackers can be seen taking off and landing as well as the ground tanker ops. Special thanks to all of the CAL Fire and community Fire Fighters that help keep us safe in these changing times