Privacy Policy

CDSS-ISPO-5310.1-P001, Privacy Statement

California Department of Social Services
Privacy Statement
Effective: June 2016
Revised: November 2022

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS or Department) is committed to promoting and protecting the privacy rights of individuals as enumerated in Article 1 of the California Constitution, the Information Practices Act of 1977, and other state and federal laws.

It is the policy of CDSS to safeguard the privacy of personal information collected or maintained by the Department.

CDSS’ information management practices are governed by the requirements of the following authorities and all other laws pertaining to information privacy:

  • Government Code Section 11015.5
  • Health and Safety Code Section 1500 et seq.
  • Information Practices Act - Civil Code Section 1798 et seq.
  • Public Records Act - Government Code Section 6250 et seq.
  • Safeguarding Information for the Financial Assistance Programs - 45 CFR Section 205.50
  • Statewide Administrative Manual (SAM) Section Privacy 5310 et seq.
  • Statewide Information Management Manual (SIMM) 5310 - A & B.
  • Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10850 et seq.

CDSS follows these principles in collecting and managing personal information:

  • CDSS collects personal information on individuals only as allowed by law to administer programs serving people across the state. Any subsequent use of the information shall be limited to and consistent with the fulfillment of those purposes and/or to make disclosures as required or authorized by law.

Personal information, as defined in the Information Practices Act, is information that identifies or describes an individual, including, but not limited to: name, social security number, physical description, home address, home telephone number, education, financial matters, and medical or employment history.

  • CDSS only collects personal information that is necessary and appropriate for the type of services requested. When filling out a form or survey, CDSS strives to tell people who are asked to provide information about the general uses of the information by CDSS.
  • CDSS collects personal information directly from individuals who use one or more of the CDSS web sites to obtain services. Collection of this information is required to deliver specific services, however, use of the services is voluntary.
  • CDSS does not disclose personal information. Personal information may not be disclosed, made available, or otherwise used for a purpose other than those specified, except with the consent of the subject of the personal information, or as required or authorized by law.
  • People who provide personal information have the right to review that information. Individuals who provide personal information to CDSS have the right to review the information for accuracy and completeness and to request corrections or deletions. For personal information access requests, send an email to CDSS’ Public Inquiry and Response Unit at piar@dss.ca.gov and/or call (916) 651-8848. PIAR will direct you to the program representative who can help with your request.
  • CDSS protects personal information. The Department takes precautions and security measures to protect the personal information collected or maintained by CDSS against loss, unauthorized access, use, modification, or disclosure. CDSS will not commercially distribute or sell any electronically collected personal information about users to any third party without the user’s written consent.
  • CDSS collects electronic information from people who visit our Internet website. When you visit a CDSS website, site usage data is collected using JavaScript and cookies for the purpose of enhancing user experience. The JavaScript will not continue to run once you leave or close the website in your browser, and you can remove the cookies using tools in your browser. Some of the site usage data collected includes: the domain name or Internet Protocol address of the device used to access the CDSS website, the type of browser and operating system used, the date and time the website was visited, web pages displayed, page elements clicked, and forms interacted with. We do not collect home, business, or email addresses, or account information from persons who simply browse our Internet website. CDSS collects personal information about individuals through our website only if an individual provides such information to the Department voluntarily through forms or surveys.
  • Electronically collected personal information is exempt from requests made under the Public Records Act.
  • CDSS uses Google Analytics to help understand how visitors interact with the CDSS websites to improve each website. You can read Google’s security and privacy policies for Google Analytics. You can choose not to have your data used by Google Analytics by downloading their opt-out browser add-on. Selecting to opt out will not interfere with your ability to use the CDSS website.
  • CDSS will provide additional information on our privacy policy if requested. If you have further questions, comments, or complaints about our privacy policy or policy compliance you may contact:
    • CDSS Information Security & Privacy Officer
      744 P Street
      MS 9-9-61
      Sacramento, CA 95814
      E-mail: ISO@dss.ca.gov

For more general information about online privacy and security, please see the California Department of Justice’s Online Privacy page.