Affected CalFresh customers must report food loss by Feb. 5. and can buy hot meals until Feb. 8
RIVERSIDE COUNTY — CalFresh customers who lost food purchased with benefits due to the recent Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) have until Feb. 5 to report the loss and receive replacement benefits.
State officials estimate that nearly 26,000 Riverside County households received more than $5.4 million in CalFresh benefits and may have lost food as of Jan. 7 due to public safety power shutoffs intended to prevent wildfires from spreading or starting.
Affected households can report their food loss and apply for replacement benefits by visiting BenefitsCal.com, contacting their county social services office, or calling 1-877-410-8827.
In addition, until Feb. 8, all CalFresh recipients can purchase hot, prepared meals with their benefits from grocery stores that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“This has been a very difficult time for thousands of people, including vulnerable adults and families. Some have been without power for several days at a time, and we want to help them get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” said Sandra Bowlan, Interim Assistant Director of the Department of Public Social Services’ Self-Sufficiency Division. “To our CalFresh clients in Riverside County who were impacted, please take action and reach out by Feb. 5 to apply for replacement benefits.”
CalFresh is California’s largest food assistance program and offers monthly electronic benefits that can be used to purchase food at many grocery stores, farmers markets, and select online retailers like Amazon and Walmart.
Residents who need food assistance but are not currently enrolled in CalFresh are encouraged to apply online at BenefitsCal.com, by calling 1-877-410-8827, or by visiting their nearest Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) office, which can be found online at https://rivcodpss.org/dpss-office-locations.
