San Diego County is witnessing an unprecedented demand for food assistance in the aftermath of January's devastating floods, with the county extending the application period for Disaster CalFresh benefits to help meet the needs of those affected. As reported by the County News Center, over 12,800 applications were approved, providing more than $5.7 million in benefits for residents to purchase food.
The decision to extend the deadline to March 22 allowed extra time for families and individuals struggling to recover from the January 21-23 floods to apply for the aid. Eligibility for the aid included living or working in the disaster area, planning to buy food, and facing challenges due to the disaster. As per County News Center, eligible households could then use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card, traditionally reserved for shelf-stable foods, to purchase hot and prepared food until April 10, thanks to a temporary waiver approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
In light of the extended application period, the county has seen a surge in both Disaster CalFresh and traditional CalFresh enrollment, with the latter reaching a historical peak of more than 389,400 enrollees by March 1, according to the County News Center. This represents a 4.4% increase compared to the previous year, demonstrating the immense financial strain placed on the community by recent events.
Meanwhile, Hoodline reported that residents could check eligibility requirements and find EBT-friendly retailers on the USDA’s official website. The financial criteria for the one-time payment include an assessment of household net income and deductions for disaster-incurred expenses, with the Disaster Gross Income Limit varying depending on family size.
Those eligible for this relief were able to apply through various channels, including online at BenefitsCal.com, over the phone, or in person at designated resource centers. According to Hoodline, assistance was provided on an EBT card for a single round of relief, emphasizing the temporary nature of this support for families and individuals currently navigating the hardships imposed by January's floods.
