Calaveras County, CA…The California Department of Social Services has announced Calaveras County is eligible to receive CalFresh Disaster Assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, has approved Calaveras County for the Disaster CalFresh (D-CalFresh) as a result of the September 9, 2015 Butte Fire incident. Any household that resided within or worked within one of the designated affected areas of Mokelumne Hill, Mountain Ranch, Sheep Ranch, Glencoe, West Point, Wilseyville, San Andreas and Rail Road Flat at the time of the September 9, 2015 Butte Fire incident and suffered disaster losses may be eligible to receive temporary D-CalFresh assistance.

D-CalFresh benefits are provided via an electronic debit-like card and can be used to purchase food items at grocery stores and other authorized retailers.

Residents in any of the designated areas may be eligible if the household experienced at least one of the following conditions as a direct result of the September 9, 2015 Butte Fire incident:
 Damage to or destruction of the home or self-employment business.
 Loss or inaccessibility of income including a reduction or termination of income or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster related problems.
 Disaster-related expenses (home or business repairs, temporary shelter, evacuation, etc.) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster benefit period, September 9, through October 8, 2015.
Please note that residents seeking assistance may apply beginning October 5, 2015 through October 14, 2015 for D-CalFresh. Your D-CalFresh may be used to purchase hot food through participating retailers.

To apply, please contact Calaveras County Social Services office located at;
Main office 509 E St Charles St in San Andreas, 209-754-6448
Outstations;
7867 Whiskey Slide Road in Mountain Ranch;
250 N Rail Road Flat Road in Rail Road Flat;
3505 Spangler Lane, Suite 405 in Copperopolis;
291 Main St in West Point
2182 Highway 4 in Arnold;
426 N Main Street in Angels Camp.

Households applying for D- CalFresh must actually have lived in or worked in the disaster area at the time of the Butte Fire and must have suffered loss or damages. On-going CalFresh recipients may be eligible for a supplement allotment through D-CalFresh.

DISASTER SNAP PROGRAM BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR RECENT FIRE VICTIMS
Affected residents in Calaveras counties may be eligible – Residents who lived or worked in Glencoe, Mountain Ranch, Mokelumne Hill, Sheep Ranch, Rail Road Flat and West Point between September 9 and October 8, 2015 may be eligible for disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known in California as Disaster CalFresh (D-CalFresh). The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Human Services have approved disaster SNAP benefits for fire-affected residents of these areas.

Residents of affected counties who would not be eligible under the regular CalFresh rules may qualify temporarily if their business, home or belongings were damaged or destroyed and they have un-reimbursed disaster-related expenses, or if they have a loss or reduction of income as a result of the fire.

Fire victims may apply for disaster CalFresh benefits at the following Human Services location beginning Monday, October 5 to October 14 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday:
Calaveras Health & Human Service Any Outstation previously listed
509 E St Charles St
San Andreas, Ca 95249

The local Human Services offices will determine eligibility for victims based on available income, minus unreimbursed disaster-related expenses. All resources except cash on hand and bank accounts will be excluded from the eligibility determination. A qualifying two-person family with net monthly income of less than $1,956 would receive $357, and a qualifying one-person household with net monthly income of less than $1,618 would receive $194. Most benefits will be available within three days of the date of application.

Individuals receiving regular CalFresh benefits that were affected by the disaster may also apply for this special program. They may qualify for additional CalFresh benefits to bring their benefit level up to the maximum benefit amount for their household size for the month of the disaster.

Applicants must bring photo proof of identity and should bring a driver’s license, other picture ID, document identifying you or collateral contact. Applicants also should bring a document that verifies their home address or job in the disaster area prior to the disaster.

CalFresh benefits can be used to purchase food for human consumption, but cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco or non-food items. Benefits must be used within 90 days. Persons who purposely provide wrong information on a CalFresh application may be denied benefits and legal action may be taken.
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