Can CalFresh replace food lost in Merced flood disaster? Need help ASAP
Hi everyone, we just went through the terrible flood here in Merced County last week. Our apartment got water damage and we lost power for 3 days. I had just spent $425 on a big grocery haul the day before the flood hit (was trying to stock up for the month since my benefits just loaded). Everything in our fridge and freezer spoiled and had to be thrown out. I've heard CalFresh might have some kind of disaster replacement program? Does anyone know if I can get emergency replacement benefits for the food we lost? Do I contact my county caseworker or is there a special disaster department? Never been through this before and my kids are asking when we'll have real food again (staying with my sister who can barely feed her own family). Any advice appreciated.
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Javier Morales
Yes! You're looking for what's called "Replacement Benefits" through CalFresh. When you lose food due to a disaster like flooding or extended power outage, you can request replacement of the benefits you used to buy that food. You need to report the loss within 10 days of the disaster and fill out form CF 303. You should call your county office ASAP since you're getting close to that deadline!
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•Thank you!!! Do you know if I need receipts? I might have the grocery store receipt somewhere but not sure I can find it with everything being such a mess right now.
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Emma Anderson
sry about ur situation! my cousin had same thing happen in 2023 when the storms hit. he got replacement benifits but only for the amount he had left on his ebt card that month. so if u spent most of ur benifits already they might only replace whats left? not 100% sure tho
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•Oh no, that would be bad news. I had just gotten my monthly deposit so I used most of it on that shopping trip. If they only replace what's still on my card that would be like $45. 😞
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Malik Thompson
I work as an eligibility specialist for CalFresh, so I can clarify this. The previous responders are partially correct, but let me explain exactly how Replacement Benefits work: 1. You can request replacement for food purchased with CalFresh benefits that was destroyed in a household disaster (flood, fire, power outage, etc) 2. The important part: you can request replacement of benefits you USED within the last 30 days, not just what's remaining on your card 3. You must report within 10 days of the food loss 4. Complete form CF 303 (Replacement Affidavit) 5. For your situation in Merced, the county should be aware of the flood and may have additional disaster assistance available You don't absolutely need receipts, but they help verify the amount. Otherwise, they'll look at your EBT transaction history and the form where you'll estimate the value of food lost. Since Merced is under disaster declaration, the process should be expedited.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•Thank you so much for explaining this! That's a huge relief that they can replace what I actually spent, not just what's left on the card. I'll call them first thing tomorrow morning.
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Isabella Ferreira
The Merced County Human Services Agency has been IMPOSSIBLE to reach since the flood. When I tried calling about my own case (not flood related) last week, I was on hold for TWO HOURS and then got disconnected!!! They're completely overwhelmed right now with everyone calling. Probably hundreds of people in the same situation.
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CosmicVoyager
•Not sure if this helps, but I used a service called Claimyr when I couldn't get through to Fresno County last month. They somehow get you to a live person at the county office and call you back when they have someone on the line. Saved me hours of waiting. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Especially with the flood situation, might be worth it since you need to report within that 10-day window.
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Ravi Kapoor
HEADS UP!!! I just went through this process last month after we had the electrical fire in our building. The county is SUPER PICKY about that 10-day reporting requirement. My neighbor reported on day 11 and they DENIED her claim even though we were in the same building with the same fire!!! Make sure you document EVERYTHING including when you called, who you spoke with, and take pictures of the damaged food if you still have it. The system is designed to deny you if you don't cross every t and dot every i!!!
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•Omg thank you for the warning! I still have the garbage bags with the spoiled food in them (they're outside) so I'll take pictures right now. Would it help to go in person tomorrow instead of calling?
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Malik Thompson
Going in person is definitely better in disaster situations. Bring: 1. Your ID 2. Photos of damaged food 3. Any receipts you can find 4. Your EBT card 5. Documentation of the flood/power outage if you have it (utility notice, news article, etc) When you get there, specifically ask for the "Disaster Services Team" or "Emergency Services Specialist." Many counties have dedicated staff for disaster situations. And yes, pictures of the spoiled food will definitely help your case.
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Freya Nielsen
•thiss is so confuseing!!! i thought calfresh and food stamps were different things?? do u have to apply for disaster food stamps separately or is it all the same program now??
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Javier Morales
CalFresh is just California's name for the food stamps program (officially called SNAP nationally). It's all the same program! To answer the question about replacement benefits vs. disaster CalFresh - they're actually different: 1. Replacement benefits: for current CalFresh recipients who lost food due to disaster (what the OP needs) 2. Disaster CalFresh (D-CalFresh): a separate program that becomes available when a major disaster is declared. It helps people who aren't normally eligible for CalFresh but have disaster-related expenses. Right now, you want the replacement benefits through your regular CalFresh program.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•This is exactly what I needed to know! I went to the office today and got the CF 303 form. The worker said they're processing these requests quickly because of the flood declaration. They're estimating I'll get the replacement benefits in 5-7 business days. Thank you EVERYONE for your help!!!
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Emma Anderson
did they ask for exakt $ amount of food u lost? my friend in stockton had a fridge die and they made her list everything item by item and it was a huge pain
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•They asked for an approximate total but didn't make me list every item. I showed them my receipt from FoodMaxx which had most of the groceries on it ($356) and then estimated another $70 for the stuff I had leftover from previous shopping trips. They seemed fine with that approach.
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CosmicVoyager
Glad to hear you got help! For anyone else reading this in the future who's dealing with a similar situation - the most important things to remember are: 1. Report within 10 days of the food loss 2. Get that CF 303 form filled out completely 3. Provide as much documentation as possible 4. If it's a widespread disaster, check if D-CalFresh has been activated And if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, services like Claimyr can help you reach a live person instead of waiting on hold for hours. That 10-day window is critical and can't be missed!
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Ravi Kapoor
•EXACTLY!! And remember the county WILL try to deny you if they can find any reason! I always tell people to submit everything IN WRITING too so they can't claim they "never received your call" - which happened to me before. The system is RIGGED against us!!
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