The state has issued automatic mass replacement of CalFresh benefits for people in the 95556 zip code (Orleans) due to wildfires, power outages, and/or Public Safety Power Shut-Off (PSPS) events Sept 1 - Sept 10, 2024.

Each CalFresh household in this zip code will automatically receive a replacement of 60% of regular CalFresh benefits issued in September 2024.

The estimated issuance date was Oct 3, 2024, so if any households are curious why they received these benefits, that’s why!

If any household already received individual replacement benefits after filling out a CF 303 benefit replacement form, they will not be eligible for the mass replacement.

Disaster CalFresh is a program that provides immediate food assistance for victims of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, or fires. You could get up to a month’s benefits, or $250 per person in your household. You can get Disaster CalFresh even if you don't have immigration documentation, because it isn't considered a public benefit. If you have moved to another county in California due to fires, you can apply for Disaster CalFresh at the local County DHHS office where you are. People who are not usually eligible for CalFresh can qualify for Disaster CalFresh if they meet the criteria. If you already get CalFresh, then you are not eligible for Disaster CalFresh. Check with your county for supplemental disaster benefits and replacement benefits.

To be eligible for Disaster CalFresh, you must have been financially affected by the fire (such as damage to property, incurred expenses due to disaster, or loss of income/assets) have lived or worked in one of the affected counties during the time of the disaster.

If food that you bought with CalFresh was damaged or lost in an emergency, you may be able to get extra benefits to replace it. Request the replacement up to 10 days after one of these things happened:

Damaged in a fire, floor, or other natural disaster

Power outage or fridge or freezer stopped working

Went bad after utilities got shut off

Food bought with CalFresh was lost in another way

A county worker will figure out what percentage of your benefits can be replaced. It will depend on what happened, and when. Some people can get a full month's replacement, others might only part of the month. You will need to fill out the CF 303 replacement form and submit the completed form to a Humboldt County DHHS Social Services office at either: 929 Koster Street in Eureka; 727 Cedar Street in Garberville; or 535 Airport Road in Hoopa, or fax the completed form to DHHS at (707) 269-3598.

For information about your case, contact the Humboldt County DHHS Call Center at 1-877-410-8809.

If you need assistance filling out the form, you can also contact Food for People's outreach staff:

Email CalFresh@foodforpeople.org

Call (707) 445-3166 ext 318. (para español oprima 318)

We will post updates on specific disasters as we receive further information. The State posts updates regarding CalFresh response to wildfires on the CalFresh Disaster Response page, and it is possble to email the State with questions at DisasterCalFresh@dss.ca.gov.

Our CalFresh Outreach staff are here to help with the application process, the eligibility process after your application has been submitted to the County, and questions/tips on reporting and recertifying in order to continue receiving benefits. Once you are receiving CalFresh, it is important to take all the necessary steps to make sure benefits continue for as long as you need them, and our staff are experts in helping households with this process.

Email our CalFresh Outreach staff at CalFresh@foodforpeople.org

You can also call (707) 445-3166 extension 318. For Spanish language assistance, please use extension 318. (Please note that staff attend food bank activities all over the county and are not always at their desks, so the mobile phone number listed above in option #1 is best.)

To apply on your own, visit benefitscal.com or call Humboldt County DHHS at 1-877-410-8809.