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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
This is one of many recent steps USDA has taken to ensure California residents in need have food to eat.
Rather than require SNAP/CalFresh households to report food losses individually, USDA allowed the state of California to approve automatic mass replacements for residents in 168 zip codes in the following 39 counties: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Kings, Lake, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba.
SNAP/CalFresh participants in areas hardest hit by the disaster may have a portion of their January benefits replaced.
SNAP/CalFresh recipients residing in other affected areas may request replacement benefits by filing an affidavit with the local office attesting to disaster-related loss.
Additionally, USDA approved California Department of Social Services’ (CDSS) request to operate Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in nine counties in response to severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on Dec. 27, 2022.
President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration designating Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties as eligible for federal individual assistance on Jan. 17, 2023.
Additional amendments were issued to designate Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Joaquin, Calaveras, and San Mateo counties as eligible for federal individual assistance.
The state plans to operate the D-SNAP from Feb. 6 through Feb. 15, 2023. More details can be found on the CDSS website.
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through a suite of more than 15 nutrition assistance programs, such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC and SNAP.
Together, these programs serve 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year, promoting consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and wellbeing.
FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. FNS’s report, “Leveraging the White House Conference to Promote and Elevate Nutrition Security: The Role of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service,” highlights ways the agency will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy, released in conjunction with the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022.
To learn more about FNS, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/ and follow @USDANutrition.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
“Banks must do a better job of preventing the most vulnerable Californians from getting ripped off,” Sen. Dodd said. “This bill clarifies that if these institutions assist in financial elder abuse — either knowingly or otherwise — they can be held liable. It will motivate them to detect predatory practices before victims are robbed of their resources, dignity and quality of life — losses from which they may never recover.”
Financial elder abuse cases are on the rise in California. The breadth of predatory practices is staggering, with victims coming from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Perpetrators can be family members, trusted professionals or large financial institutions. Such institutions are uniquely positioned to detect financial abuse and take action.
Unfortunately, the language of California’s current financial elder abuse law is unclear, leading to conflicting court rulings regarding the standard of proof for holding accountable a financial institution.
Now, when victims attempt to sue their bank for assisting in a scam, the institution can avoid responsibility by claiming it did not have actual knowledge of fraud.
But Sen. Dodd’s legislation, Senate Bill 278, would clarify that victims of financial elder abuse can continue to hold institutions accountable when they should have known of the fraud but negligently assisted in the transfer anyway.
The clarification would support victims of financial elder abuse in meeting their burden of proof.
SB 278 is supported by elder rights advocates and Consumer Attorneys of California.
“At a time when online and phone scams — specifically designed to defraud senior citizens — are running rampant, banks are on the front line as mandated reporters to protect seniors from devastating losses of their life savings,” said Kathryn Stebner, president-elect, Consumer Attorneys of California. “By adding a simple clarification to existing law, SB 278 will assure justice for countless victims of financial elder abuse.”
“Older Californians are the fastest growing segment of our population and face a particularly high risk of financial fraud and abuse,” said Caleb Logan of Elder Law & Advocacy and bill co-sponsor California Low-Income Consumer Coalition. “Fortunately, banks can prevent seniors from losing their life savings to a scam. SB 278 will clarify existing law to revitalize important safeguards against financial abuse. We are proud to support this important bill and applaud Sen. Dodd’s efforts on behalf of seniors throughout California.”
Sen. Bill Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties.
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- Written by: Janine Smith-Citron
Swartzlander will speak about the role of the Commission on Aging in creating policy and services for seniors in the state.
Additionally, she will discuss the status of the state’s Master Plan on Aging initiatives.
Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of the presenter.
“Ms. Swartzlander’s presentation to the AAA Council will give the area’s seniors and policy makers a picture of the state’s plans to improve the quality of life for seniors, to consider how we get more involved in the effort and access resources for our local older adult residents,” said Council President Paul Branson.
To receive a meeting invitation, contact Staff Services Analyst Virginia Peeke by calling 707-995-4652, Extension 16652, or sending an email to
The Area Agency on Aging of Lake and Mendocino Counties plans, coordinates and implements the development of, and access to, community-based support services for seniors and their caregivers, allowing older individuals 60 years of age or older to maintain their dignity and quality of life, and stay safe and independent in their own homes and communities.
For more information on the AAA, visit the website at www.lakecountyca.gov/727/Area-Agency-on-Aging or call 707-995-3744.
Janine Smith-Citron is director of development for Hospice Services of Lake County.
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- Written by: North Coast Opportunities
Starting in February 2023, local residents can receive valuable help at tax time, from North Coast Opportunities, or NCO.
NCO is providing free tax filing assistance through the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! program in Lake and Mendocino counties.
At local tax sites, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers work with low to moderate income families and individuals to help file their tax returns and ensure that they receive the tax credits for which they qualify.
In addition, some sites can direct their customers to no-fee bank accounts, credit repair services or financial education classes.
The mission is to provide free tax preparation service as a tool to help local residents become financially stable.
“Many workers pay tax preparers high fees and face excessive interest on refund anticipation loans. Our tax assistance sites help families and individuals maximize their tax credits and use them to make ends meet or to save for the future,” said Yvett Reeve, VITA Program coordinator.
Household income must be $70,000 or less to qualify. For those that qualify, they can call 707-467-3236 for information (English and Spanish) about tax preparation site locations in Clearlake, Ukiah, Lakeport and Fort Bragg.
Now, more than ever, our families deserve to keep their money, especially during tax season. Earn It! Keep It! Save It! provides free, quality tax return preparation to low-to-moderate income individuals, families, and seniors. This program is supported by United Way of the Wine Country.
Visit www.unitedwaywinecountry.org to learn more.