LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Department of Social Services announced that, as part of the continuing disaster recovery effort, individuals and families impacted by the wildfires in Lake 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 Aug. 22 through Aug. 25, and Aug. 27 through Aug. 29.

In most cases, Disaster CalFresh food assistance benefits will be available within three days of the date of application.

On Aug. 20, the United States Department of Agriculture approved California’s request for Disaster CalFresh food assistance to enhance the recovery effort in Lake 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 the Lake County Department of Social Services offices, 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Disaster CalFresh benefits will be provided via an electronic benefits transfer 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 Lake County 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, food loss, 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, which brings a household up to the maximum allotment level based on their household size.

Households already participating in CalFresh may contact their local agency to request supplemental benefits by phone or in person.

CalFresh households residing in the following zip codes at the time of the disaster- 95458, 95464, 95485, 95493, 95453, 95423, 95451, 95443, and 95435 will automatically receive supplemental benefits on their EBT card.

They will not need to contact Lake County Department of Social Services or visit the Disaster CalFresh site in person to receive this benefit.

When to apply

Individuals and families affected by the wildfires who are seeking food assistance may apply for Disaster CalFresh beginning Aug. 22, by visiting Lake County Department of Social Services offices.

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 Services Department or online at www.benefitscal.com .

For more information, call 800-628-5288.