Riverside County's CalFresh participants have been granted a temporary lifeline to swiftly recover some of what nature's wrath has taken from them. Due to the extensive damage from the recent California winter storms, over 40,000 households in the county who saw their groceries washed away or spoiled are eligible to urgently request replacement benefits. They now have until March 4 to report their losses, as state officials have decided to extend the normal 10-day deadline to a full month—a move born of necessity in light of the widespread devastation.
It is estimated that some 279,875 CalFresh households were hit hard statewide, with the cost of the benefits used to purchase destroyed food clocking in around $54.5 million. As the February storms brought severe conditions, including flash floods and wind gusts topping 100 miles per hour, community members faced chaos—evacuations, road closures, and significant damage to homes and infrastructure were reported across the state, which included largely affected areas like Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Jurupa Valley, and Moreno Valley, according to official sources.
Allison Gonzalez, the assistant director of the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), overseeing the Self-Sufficiency Division, expressed her department's commitment to supporting the community in these trying times. "We’re here to help our CalFresh customers recover their losses as quickly as possible," she said. Residents are encouraged to either call the DPSS, visit in person or report their losses online.
To ensure they don't miss out on this crucial aid, Riverside County residents must act promptly. Those affected by the storms can report their CalFresh food losses by calling 1-877-410-8827, visiting a local DPSS office, or going online to BenefitsCal.com. While filing for the replacement, CalFresh customers should make certain to include their contact information, a succinct description of how the food was lost, and note the time and date of the incident.
CalFresh, the state's most expansive food program, dispenses monthly benefits electronically that can be used in a variety of shopping venues, including grocery stores, farmers markets, and even online retailers like Amazon, Ralph's, and Walmart. Residents in Riverside County who find themselves now in need of food assistance, but are not currently enrolled in CalFresh, should consider applying for the program immediately using the same contact points provided for reporting food losses.
