If your groceries purchased through CalFresh were damaged due to the recent floods and winter storms, you have the option to request replacement benefits. The County of San Diego acknowledges that recipients of the CalFresh program who experienced food loss during the recent weather events are eligible for these replacement benefits. If your food supply was impacted by flooding or power outages, there is now an extended opportunity to replenish your supplies.
The CalFresh program, a program offering financial assistance for food purchases to low-income residents of California, has extended the deadline for requesting replacement benefits until Wednesday, February 21, 2024. This provides recipients with an extended reporting period, now spanning 30 days instead of the initial 10.
How Does the CalFresh Benefits Work
To be considered for review, reports from local households must be submitted to the county by the specified cutoff date. For additional details, you can refer to the county’s CalFresh webpage. If you are one of the affected recipients, you can reach out for assistance by calling the Access Customer Service Center at 866-262-9881. Alternatively, you can visit a local Family Resource Center for further support.
CalFresh, alternatively recognized as the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), serves as a vital initiative for low-income families and individuals meeting specific income criteria. Tailored to supplement food budgets, CalFresh benefits empower families and individuals to acquire nourishing food options.
Accessing CalFresh benefits is facilitated through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, functioning similarly to a debit or ATM card. The determination of eligibility and the allocated amount of CalFresh benefits hinge on factors such as household size, income, and specific living expenses. This ensures a personalized and responsive approach to assisting those in need.
Eligibility Criteria for Calfresh: How to Apply?
To qualify for CalFresh, you must possess legal status in the U.S., such as being a citizen, legal permanent resident, U-Visa or T-Visa holder, VAWA applicant, or falling under refugee, parole, or asylum designations. Additionally, your meal plan should not exceed 11 meals per week, and your household’s gross monthly income must adhere to specified limits.
Furthermore, eligibility entails meeting at least one of the following qualifications: working a minimum of 20 hours per week or a total of 80 hours per month, having work study approval in your financial aid offer, receiving CalGrant A or B, not expecting enrollment in the next term (graduating this semester), being currently employed on campus, being enrolled in specific majors or programs (LPIE), being responsible for the care of a child under 6, being responsible for a child between 6 – 12 without adequate childcare, being a single parent with a child under the age of 12, applying for or receiving unemployment benefits, or applying for or receiving disability benefits or veterans’ disability. Meeting any of these conditions may render you eligible for CalFresh benefits.