OAKLAND — People receiving supplemental income from the government will be eligible to apply for food stamps starting this month.
In Alameda County about 48,000 low-income seniors or people with disabilities get financial help through the federally funded Supplemental Security Income program, commonly known as “SSI,” and through the State Supplementary Program, which augments it.
Now they are able to apply for additional help from CalFresh, the California version of the federal program that was once known as food stamps.
“We’ve been fighting alongside SSI recipients for more than a decade to make this moment a reality,” said Liz Gomez, director of client services at the Alameda County Food Bank. “During that time, we lost many of our most vocal advocates to causes that could have been prevented by having better access to healthy food. The excitement and sense of relief we’re witnessing from our clients affirm just how worth it this fight has been. We talk literally about how food banks are in the business of changing people’s lives, but this expansion is literally going to save lives.”
California is the last state to make food benefits available to SSI recipients. The move stems from the final budget that former Gov. Jerry Brown signed before leaving office last year, which included an investment in CalFresh.
In Alameda County, before the program expansion, 55,784 families and individuals relied on CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The amount of CalFresh benefits a household receives is based on its size, income and monthly expenses, such as housing, utilities and medical costs. The average amount nationally for an older adult or person with a disability is $105 to $110 per month.
Currently, low-income seniors and people with disabilities receive a maximum benefit of $931 per month through SSI, according to the food bank.
The food bank is part of a coalition, “Californians4SSI,” which campaigned for the expansion.
“We plan to get the word out to senior and disabled individuals and families receiving SSI/SSP that they can now apply for more of the assistance they need to make the difference between hunger and nutrition,” said Lori Cox, director of the Alameda County Social Services Agency.
For CalFresh eligibility and enrollment information, call 1-877-847-3663.
