In a noticeable win for residents still reeling from January's flood devastation, officials have tacked an extra week to the application window for Disaster CalFresh aid. Those in the inundated zones of San Diego County now have a stretch until March 22 to reach out for the lifeline, a nudge from the original deadline, thanks to an adjustment in the presidential disaster declaration criteria, as per County News Center.

Insiders say that even individuals on the CalFresh roster might be eligible for an additional Disaster CalFresh supplement. To get squared away with EBT-friendly retailers in the region, one can surf over to the USDA’s official site. The process for the one-time payment involves living or laboring in the disaster area at the time of the disaster, facing constraints on buying food due to the storm and grappling with other disaster-impacted hardships.

Eligibility revolves around a practical mix of financial metrics. The County’s scrutineers will look into the household’s net income post-taxes and any other liquid assets. They will also consider deductions specific to the disaster-incurred costs. Ticking these boxes means families’ financials must slide below the Disaster Gross Income Limit bar to snag the benefits. The deciding income limit depends on the size of one’s brood, with the max Disaster CalFresh amounts laid out neatly in a provided chart.

For instance, a trio making ends meet with a $2,942 net income, once the flood's financial fallout is deducted, would be in line for a $766 windfall from Disaster CalFresh, as laid out by County News Center. Multiple channels are open for claims; submitting a CF 385 form via benefitscal.com, ringing Access at 866-262-9881, visiting any local County Family Resource Center or stopping by one of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers. The cash aids are to be doled out on an EBT card strictly for a single round of relief.