Help For CalFresh Pass Area Residents Impacted By Westward Fire

BANNING, CA — Pass Area residents who receive CalFresh benefits and lost food as a result of last month's Westward fire in Banning have until Friday to get reimbursed, county officials announced.

Riverside County was granted permission to extend the normal reporting period from 10 to 30 days in disaster-impacted zip codes. The additional time allows affected CalFresh recipients in the Banning community a chance to assess their losses and recover as much as possible, county officials said.

“Our customers have a lot to focus on during the recovery, and we don’t want them to be worrying about where their next meal is coming from when we are here to help," said Allison Gonzalez, assistant director of Self Sufficiency Services for the county’s Department of Public Social Services.

Gonzalez urged customers to report food losses while there is still time by calling Riverside County DPSS at 877-410-8827.

People not already receiving CalFresh benefits who were affected by the fire are encouraged to submit CalFresh applications to DPSS or online at GetCalFresh.org.

The Aug. 25 Westward fire charred 160 acres and is believed to have been caused by an arsonist.