Disaster CalFresh

Disaster CalFresh, known federally as the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), provides temporary food benefits to disaster victims who were not eligible for regular CalFresh benefits at the time of the disaster.

October 2020 Disaster CalFresh

In response to the wildfires burning across the state, Disaster CalFresh will be available to individuals and families who either lived or worked in the following counties and experienced a disaster related impact, such as evacuation expenses or loss of income from work

• Butte
• Napa
• Santa Clara
• Sonoma

Am I Eligible?

Even if you are not eligible for CalFresh food benefits, you may be eligible for Disaster CalFresh food benefits if you lived or worked in the above-mentioned counties between August 14, 2020 through September 12, 2020 and September 7, 2020 through October 6, 2020 (Butte County only) and you:

• Spent money because of the wildfire, including paying for hotel, gas or other evacuation expenses; or
• Lost food because of the wildfire or related power outage; or
• Lost money from work because of the wildfire; or
• Spent money because of damage to your home or business.

How Do I Apply?

For the first time ever, because of the pandemic emergency, Disaster CalFresh will be operated primarily by phone. The application process includes a phone interview and submission of proof of identity. A Social Security Number is not required to apply.

Eligible Californians can apply during the application period only.

The application period for Butte, Napa, and Sonoma Counties is Wednesday through Thursday, October 28 to November 5, 2020. Phone based pre-registration is available beginning Wednesday through Tuesday, October 21 to October 27, 2020. Call (916) 237-1909 to pre-register and call (916) 602-3313 to pre-register for Butte, Napa, and Sonoma counties. When you pre-register you will provide your county with some basic info. Your county will contact you by phone during the application period to complete the Disaster CalFresh application and interview.

The application period for Santa Clara County is Monday through Tuesday, November 2 to November 10, 2020. Phone based pre-registration is available beginning Monday through Friday, October 26 to October 30, 2020. Call (916) 848-6424 to pre-register for Santa Clara County. When you pre-register you will provide your county with some basic info. Your county will contact you by phone during the application period to complete the Disaster CalFresh application and interview.

Pre-registration is optional. You can still apply for Disaster CalFresh food benefits during the application period mentioned previously.

Disaster CalFresh Eligibility in Detail

Residency

Eligible households must have lived or worked in the disaster area at the time of the disaster.

Purchase Food

To be eligible, households must plan on purchasing food during the disaster benefit period.

Adverse Effect

The household must have experienced one of the following adverse effects because of the disaster:

• Damage to home or self-employment property
• Disaster-related expenses
• A disruption in income
• Inaccessible liquid resources
• Loss of food because of the disaster

Income and Resources

Income and resources must be counted in order to determine eligibility for Disaster. The total net (take-home) income received during the benefit period plus accessible liquid resources, minus eligible disaster-related expenses, must not exceed the disaster gross income limit. Click to view disaster gross income limits  for the period of 10/01/2019-09/30/2020.