The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) today announced that, as part of the continuing disaster recovery effort, individuals and families impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles County may be eligible to receive one month of Disaster CalFresh food assistance.
A family of four with a monthly income up to $2,755 per month may be eligible to receive up to $640 in food assistance through California’s Disaster CalFresh program. Households can apply for this assistance December 3- 7. In most cases, Disaster CalFresh food assistance benefits will be available within three days of the date of application.
On November 28, the United States Department of Agriculture approved California’s request for Disaster CalFresh food assistance to enhance the recovery effort in Los Angeles County. The program is known nationally as the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or D-SNAP.
Wildfire victims may apply for CalFresh disaster food assistance in-person at local social service agency offices in Los Angeles County.
Disaster CalFresh benefits will be provided via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which is similar to a debit card that can be used to purchase food items at grocery stores and other authorized retailers.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Individuals and families who lived or worked in Los Angeles County in the following zip codes, 90263, 90264, 90265, 90290, 91012, 91301, 91302, 91304, 91307, 91311, 91361, 91362, 91372, may be eligible for Disaster CalFresh food assistance if the household experienced at least one of the following as a direct result of the wildfires:
Damage to or destruction of the home or self-employment business;
Loss or inaccessibility of income, including a reduction or termination of earned income or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster related problems; or
Disaster-related expenses (e.g. home or business repairs, temporary shelter, evacuation, etc.) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster benefit period.
Households already participating in CalFresh are not eligible to receive Disaster CalFresh food assistance, but may be eligible to receive supplemental benefits based on their household size. Households already participating in CalFresh may contact their local social service agency to request supplemental benefits by phone or in person. Some households already participating in CalFresh may also automatically receive supplemental benefits based on the direct impact, such as mandatory evacuations, of the wildfires in their community.
WHEN TO APPLY
Individuals and families affected by the wildfires who are seeking food assistance may apply for Disaster CalFresh beginning December 3rd by visiting a social service agency in Los Angeles County. Additional application sites and more information is available at http://www.cdss.ca.gov/Disaster-Help-Center.
In addition, individuals or families with new needs for assistance due to the wildfires may always apply for regular CalFresh benefits and CalWORKs cash aid at their local social service agency or online at benefitscal.com.
Call Los Angeles County at 1-562-776-7001
Submitted by Jesus A. Ruiz, DPSS PIA,
