RIVERSIDE, CA — Riverside County residents receiving CalFresh benefits who lost food because of Tropical Storm Rachel have until Oct. 30 to report their losses and request replacement benefits, county officials announced on Thursday.
The county received state approval to extend the standard 10-day reporting period to 20 days for eligible households in disaster-impacted areas countywide, giving recipients additional time to seek assistance, officials said.
Rachel made landfall along the Southern California coast on Oct. 10, bringing heavy rain, high winds, flooding, mudslides, landslides, downed trees, road closures and power outages that lasted several days.
"We saw firsthand how this storm impacted communities in the eastern Coachella Valley, and we want residents to know that help is available," Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said in a statement.
CalFresh provides monthly food benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which recipients can use to purchase groceries at participating stores, farmers markets and online retailers, including Amazon and Walmart.
Perez urged CalFresh recipients who lost food during the storm to contact the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services before the deadline.
State officials estimate that 18,471 households in affected areas receive CalFresh benefits.
Allison Gonzalez, assistant director of the county's Department of Public Social Services, said recipients should report their losses and request replacement benefits as soon as possible.
CalFresh recipients can report food losses through several methods, including online at BenefitsCal.com, by calling 1-877-410-8827, or in person at a nearby Self-Sufficiency office.
Residents also can seek assistance at upcoming community outreach events.
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