Lost food during Storm Rachel? Eligible CalFresh households have until Oct. 30 to report food loss and request replacement benefits. Report your loss in person, by calling (877) 410-8827, or online at BenefitsCal.com.
Help Is Available for CalFresh Households Affected by Tropical Storm Rachel
October 22, 2026
For Immediate Release
Oct. 22, 2026
Contact:
Help Is Available for CalFresh Households Affected by Tropical Storm Rachel
Impacted residents have until Oct. 30 to report food loss.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — CalFresh households whose food was lost or destroyed due to Post-Tropical Cyclone Rachel have until Oct. 30 to report their losses and request replacement benefits.
Storm Rachel, which made landfall along the Southern California coast on Oct. 10, brought heavy rain, high winds, flooding risks, mudslides, landslides, downed trees, road closures, and power outages that lasted several days.
Riverside County received state approval to extend the standard 10-day reporting period to 20 days for eligible households in disaster-impacted areas countywide, giving residents additional time to report food loss.
“We saw firsthand how this storm impacted communities in the eastern Coachella Valley, and we want residents to know that help is available. If you lost food during this storm and receive CalFresh benefits, please contact the Department of Public Social Services to request replacement benefits before the deadline,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.
State officials estimate that 18,471 households in impacted areas receive CalFresh benefits.
“If you lost food because of the storm and receive CalFresh, please report your loss and request replacement benefits as soon as possible,” said Allison Gonzalez, assistant director of the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, who oversees the Self-Sufficiency Division, which includes the CalFresh program.
CalFresh recipients can report food loss online at BenefitsCal.com, by calling 1-877-410-8827, or by visiting their nearest Self-Sufficiency office. Reports may also be submitted by fax or mail. Residents can also attend an upcoming community outreach event for assistance with replacement benefits.
CalFresh provides monthly food benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase groceries at participating stores, farmers markets, and online retailers, including Amazon and Walmart.
Residents who need food assistance but do not currently receive CalFresh can apply at BenefitsCal.com, call 1-877-410-8827, visit a Self-Sufficiency office, or attend an outreach event.
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