Employee Assistance Program

As a State of California employee, you and your eligible dependents have access to an Employee Assistance program (EAP). This program is provided by the State of California as part of the state’s commitment to promoting employee health and well-being. It is offered at no charge to the employee and provides a valuable resource for support and information during difficult times, as well as consultation on day-to-day concerns. EAP is an assessment, short-term counseling, and referral service designed to provide you and your family with assistance in managing everyday concerns.

If you need help, call the toll-free number at 866-327-4762 (TDD 800-424-6117). 

Customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to discuss your concerns and ensure that you receive the assistance you need. You may also contact your departmental EAP coordinator.

​Eligibility and Enrollment

Active state employees, their lawful spouse or registered domestic partner and unmarried dependent children are eligible to utilize EAP.  Children, natural, adopted, or step children under age 26 (effective July 1, 2020), or any age if incapable of self-sustaining employment due to mental or physical disability.  Dependent children in the military are not eligible. 

Depending on your employment category, you are eligible for the number of clinical face-to-face sessions as listed in the eligibility table at. https://soceap.magellanascend.com/Content/View/11665​.

When both spouses or registered domestic partners are state employees, spouses or registered domestic partners and eligible dependents are entitled to the counseling services under each employee’s employment category. Enrollment in EAP is automatic.  You and your eligible family members are automatically covered in EAP when you begin state service. The State Compensation Insurance Fund manages their own EAP benefits and their employees are not eligible for these services unless they are bargaining unit 7 employees.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the hallmark of the program, and is essential to the success of EAP. No one besides the person accessing EAP knows they’ve used the services. No reports are made except aggregate utilization reports that do not identify individuals. The legal exceptions are the same as those that guide all clinicians: if a member expresses intent to commit child or elder abuse; or expresses plausible suicidal or homicidal intent; or a court order.

Types of Services

Life can be unpredictable and confusing. Through EAP you can seek assistance with many of the day-to-day struggles you may be experiencing. EAP can assist you with marriage, family, and relationship issues; emotional, personal and stress concerns; drug and alcohol abuse; healthy lifestyles; and work-life balance.

Clinical

EAP offers face-to-face clinical counseling and telephone consultations to guide you through difficult times. Our online tools and tips provide information and resources on a broad array of topics such as emotional and physical wellbeing, workplace success, and achieving personal goals.

Virtual Therapy

Through this program, employees and their eligible family members have access to up to four confidential virtual therapy sessions per fiscal year, provided by BetterHelp, at no cost. Counseling is available for the entire family—individuals, couples and teens (with parental consent and in accordance with applicable law and clinical appropriateness).  These sessions do not count against EAP clinical services.  For more information, please visit the BetterHelp tile in the Explorer Services Section.

Choose from one of four modalities:

• Text messaging exchange over a week
• Live phone session
• Live video session
• Live chat session

Work-Life Benefits

For many people, it’s a challenge to balance family life and work. We offer work-life solutions to everyday problems that include legal consultations, financial consultations, child and elder care, identity theft recovery, and education and career development. ​​