CalFresh Households in Riverside County Eligible for Replacement Benefits Due to Wildfires
September 11, 2024
For Immediate Release
Sept. 11, 2024
Media contacts:
Gene Kennedy, Senior Public Information Specialist, (951) 203-0343
Angela Maria Naso, Public Information Specialist, (951) 660-1925
Email: [email protected]
CalFresh Households in Riverside County Eligible for Replacement Benefits Due to Wildfires
Impacted Residents Have Until Sept. 23 to Report Food Loss
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Following the recent wildfires in Riverside County, CalFresh recipients may be eligible for replacement benefits for food lost during these events. The deadline to report food loss has been extended to Sept. 23.
To accommodate affected families, the State has extended the reporting period from 10 to 30 days. This extension applies to all CalFresh households impacted by recent fire activity, including the Airport, Post, Record and Tenaja fires.
Approximately 23,511 active CalFresh households in the Lake Elsinore area, which received about $4.8 million in benefits, may have lost food due to the Tenaja fire that began on August 25, according to state officials.
“Our priority is to help our CalFresh customers replace their lost food quickly,” said Allison Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Riverside County’s Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), who oversees the Self-Sufficiency Division. “We urge them to contact us before the deadline to ensure they receive their replacement benefits.”
CalFresh recipients who lost food during any of the summer fires (Airport, Eagle, Hawarden, Macy, Nixon, Post, Record, or Tenaja) can report their losses by calling 1-877-410-8827, visiting a DPSS office, or submitting a report at BenefitsCal.com by Sept. 23.
CalFresh, California’s largest food assistance program, provides monthly electronic benefits to purchase groceries at stores, farmers markets, and select online retailers like Amazon, Ralphs, and Walmart. Some recipients can also use their benefits to buy meals at eateries participating in the Restaurant Meals Program.
Residents not currently enrolled in CalFresh who need food assistance are encouraged to apply at BenefitsCal.com, call 1-877-410-8827, or visit their nearest DPSS office.
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CalFresh recipients affected by the recent wildfires in Riverside County now have until Sept. 23 to report food loss. Photo credit: Riverside County Fire Department Volunteer Photographer, Katie Tabor.
